Digestive Health Symptoms of Chronic Gastrointestinal Bleeding By Sharon Gillson Sharon Gillson Sharon Gillson is a writer living with and covering GERD and other digestive issues. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 30, 2022 Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding is bleeding that is usually slow and can either continue for a long time or start and stop in a short period of time. Westend61 / Getty Images The symptoms of chronic GI bleeding depend on where in the digestive tract the bleeding is occurring. Chronic bleeding in the GI tract may not be easily detected as acute GI tract bleeding because the signs of it are less obvious. It is important that you seek medical attention whenever you either see signs of GI bleeding, or show the symptoms of a GI bleed. Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding can cause anemia in the patient. It is therefore important to know the symptoms of anemia. Those symptoms include: Fatigue, loss of energyWeaknessDizziness or lightheadednessPale skinShortness of breath, especially when exercisingDifficulty concentratingPalpitations (feeling of the heart racing beating irregularly)Chest painCold hands and feetHeadache Your healthcare provider can order lab tests for anemia. The next steps would be to order a colonoscopy and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy to locate the source of the bleeding. 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 cause of the bleeding depends on where in the digestive tract the bleeding occurs. Common Causes In 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. Gastritis Cancer In the Small Intestine: Duodenal ulcer Inflammatory 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. 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 healthcare provider 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. 20 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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Gastroenterology Res. 2017;10(4):259–267. doi:10.14740/gr851e Additional Reading "Ulcers and Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Protecting Your Health." American College of Gastroenterology. "Bleeding in the Digestive Tract." NIH Publication No. 07–1133 November 2004. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). By Sharon Gillson Sharon Gillson is a writer living with and covering GERD and other digestive issues. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit