What is the most urgent measure for shock due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on April 07, 2025
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When shock occurs due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the most urgent treatment measure is to quickly establish intravenous access and actively and rapidly replenish fluids and blood volume. Consideration can be given to the intravenous drip of balanced solutions, Ringer's solution or 5% glucose saline. Fluid replenishment should follow the principles of starting quickly then slowing, and using crystalloids before colloids.

At the same time, after shock correction, it is crucial to perform a thorough gastroscopic examination to identify the cause and location of the bleeding, and to undertake the relevant endoscopic treatments. Additionally, patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding need comprehensive treatment including suppressing acid secretion and protecting the gastric mucosa.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Common Causes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

The common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding mainly include the following points: First, esophageal diseases, such as esophagitis, Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Secondly, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, acute erosive hemorrhagic gastritis, and then esophageal gastric variceal rupture caused by portal hypertension. There are also diseases of neighboring organs or tissues of the upper digestive tract, such as biliary bleeding, pancreatic diseases involving the duodenum, such as pancreatic cancer, acute pancreatitis complicated by abscess rupture and bleeding. Additionally, there are systemic diseases, such as allergic purpura, hemophilia, leukemia, etc.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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The most common symptom of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

The most common symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding mainly include: vomiting blood, black stools, or symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and fatigue, and even hypovolemic shock and hypovolemic anemia, etc. Therefore, when gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, if the patient has a large amount of bleeding and the bleeding is rapid, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly, to administer fluid replenishment, volume expansion, and blood transfusion to replenish blood volume, along with symptomatic treatment such as medication and endoscopic hemostasis. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment may be considered to avoid life-threatening risks.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Black stool is bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Black stools are generally caused by upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding, which can stem from several reasons: The first one is peptic ulcer, including stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers; The second is bleeding caused by varices rupturing in the esophagus or stomach due to liver cirrhosis; The third is acute gastric mucosal injury, for example, gastric bleeding caused by orally taken non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; The fourth is gastric hemorrhage caused by gastric cancer. No matter what causes the upper gastrointestinal bleeding, one should promptly visit a hospital, undergo a gastroscopy to determine the cause, and receive timely rescue and treatment. Moreover, during the treatment period, one cannot eat while experiencing gastric bleeding, and must fast until the bleeding stops, after which a liquid diet can be introduced, followed by a transition to a semi-liquid diet.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Is upper gastrointestinal bleeding easy to treat?

I can only say that most upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be treated. Common issues such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, complex ulcers, and bleeding caused by acute gastric mucosal lesions can be managed with intravenous or oral administration of proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, etc., combined with hemostatic drugs and dietary control, often achieving satisfactory therapeutic effects. Cases like bleeding from esophagogastric varices due to liver cirrhosis may require endoscopic sclerotherapy or banding, and sometimes surgery, but recurrent bleeding can occur. Bleeding caused by gastrointestinal tumors requires treatment of the primary disease and often has a poor prognosis. Additionally, bleeding from the gastroduodenal artery, which is severe and urgent, can be addressed with surgical intervention if treatments like endoscopic electrocoagulation are ineffective.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Upper digestive tract bleeding vomit color

The color of vomit in upper gastrointestinal bleeding primarily relates to the amount of bleeding and the speed of bleeding. If the patient has minor bleeding, the gastric acid may process it, resulting in the vomiting of a coffee-ground-like substance, indicating a smaller amount of bleeding. If the patient has substantial bleeding at a rapid pace, surpassing the gastric acid processing, fresh blood may often be vomited, indicating significant bleeding and a poor prognosis. After upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. In clinical settings, patients are usually given proton pump inhibitors and somatostatin analog drugs to stop the bleeding, and it is vital to promptly conduct a thorough gastroscopy to ascertain the causes of gastrointestinal bleeding and so forth.