Digestive Health Print An Overview of Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding Written by Written by Sharon Gillson Sharon Gillson is a writer living with and covering GERD and other digestive issues. Learn about our editorial policy Sharon Gillson Updated on November 15, 2019 More in Digestive Health Daily Care Bloating & Gas Exams & Procedures Celiac Disease Constipation Diarrhea Inflammatory Bowel Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome More Digestive Diseases Peptic Ulcer Disease Heartburn SIBO Gallbladder Disease Stomach Flu Hemorrhoids View All In This Article Table of Contents Expand Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment View All Back To Top Many times gastrointestinal tract bleeding is not serious such as in the case of hemorrhoids. However, some bleeds, particularly those that occur in the upper GI tract, can be large and fatal. Therefore, it is very important to be evaluated by a physician for any GI bleeding, and if someone has any of the symptoms of an acute bleed, they should seek emergency treatment immediately. Bleeding in the digestive tract is not a disease, but rather a symptom of the disease. The cause of the bleeding may be related to a condition that can be cured, or it may be a symptom of a more serious condition. The digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract, contains several parts. These include the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (also called the colon), rectum, and anus. The cause of the bleeding depends on what area of the digestive tract of bleeding occurs in. Causes The Esophagus Inflammation (Esophagitis): Stomach acid that backs up into the esophagus can cause inflammation, and this inflammation may lead to bleeding.Varices: These are abnormally enlarged veins located at the lower end of the esophagus.Tears: A tear in the lining of the esophagus that is usually caused by prolonged vomiting, but may also be caused by prolonged coughing or hiccuping. This is sometimes called Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which is a disorder of the lower end of the esophagus caused by severe retching and vomiting and characterized by laceration associated with bleeding.UlcersCancer In the Stomach Ulcers: Ulcers may enlarge and erode through a blood vessel, causing bleeding.GastritisCancer In the Small Intestine Duodenal ulcerInflammatory bowel disease: Inflammation may occur, which can lead to bleeding.Cancer In the Large Intestine and Rectum Hemorrhoids: This is the most common cause of visible blood in the lower digestive tract, and is usually a bright red. They are enlarged veins in the anal area that can rupture and bleed.Ulcerative colitis: Inflammation and small ulcerations can cause bleeding.Crohn's disease: This is a chronic condition that can cause inflammation that may result in rectal bleeding.Colorectal cancer: This is a condition caused by out-pouching of the colon wall. Symptoms What symptoms you may have of bleeding depends on what area of the digestive tract the bleeding occurs in, and whether it is acute (brief and severe) or chronic (long duration) bleeding. Symptoms of Upper GI Bleeding Bright red blood, dark clots, or coffee ground-like material in vomitBlack, tar-like stool Symptoms of Lower GI Bleeding Passing only bright red blood, or passing blood mixed in the stool (turning stool to black or tar-like)Bright red or maroon-colored blood in the stool Symptoms of Acute Bleeding WeaknessShortness of breathDizzinessRapid pulseReduced urine flowCrampy abdominal painCold, clammy hands and feetFaintnessDiarrheaConfusionDisorientationSleepinessBright red blood coating the stoolDark blood mixed with the stoolBlack or tarry stoolBright red blood in vomitCoffee grounds appearance of vomit Symptoms of Chronic Bleeding WeaknessFatigueShortness of breathPallorChest painDizzinessLethargyFaintnessBright red blood coating the stoolDark blood mixed with the stoolBlack or tarry stoolBright red blood in vomitCoffee grounds appearance of vomit Diagnosis A doctor will usually begin the diagnostic process by recording the patient's medical history and doing a complete physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will ask about your bowel habits (going more or less often than usual), stool color (black or red) and consistency (looser or more firm). He will also ask if you are experiencing any pain or tenderness, and where it's located. The doctor will then follow with diagnostic tests if his exam didn't reveal a cause of the bleeding (such as hemorrhoids), or to determine if there is more than one cause for the bleeding. Diagnostic tests include: Upper endoscopyEGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)ColonoscopySigmoidoscopyAnoscopyBarium x-raysBiopsies Treatment Treatment of bleeding in the digestive tract depends on the cause of bleeding, and whether the bleeding is acute or chronic. For example, if aspirin is responsible for the bleeding, a patient stops taking aspirin and the bleeding is treated. If cancer is the cause of the bleeding, the usual course of treatment is the removal of the tumor. If a peptic ulcer is the cause of the bleeding, the doctor may prescribe a drug for the treatment of H. pylori, recommend a change in diet, possibly a change in lifestyle. The first step in the treatment of GI bleeding is to stop the bleeding. This is usually done by injecting chemicals directly into a bleeding site, or by cauterizing the bleeding site with a heater probe passed through an endoscope. The next step is to treat the condition that caused the bleeding. This includes medications used to treat ulcers, esophagitis, H. pylori, and other infections. These include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers, and antibiotics. Surgical intervention may also be needed, especially if the cause of the bleeding is a tumor or polyps, or if treatment with an endoscope is unsuccessful. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. "Bleeding in the Digestive Tract." NIH Publication No. 07–1133 November 2004. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 18 Oct 2007. Continue Reading