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Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding

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How Is Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding Diagnosed?

How Is Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding Diagnosed?

If you are displaying symptoms of a GI bleed, your doctor will assess your medical history and symptoms before ordering any tests. Some tests will only be performed if your doctor suspects you have an acute GI bleed or a serious condition causing the bleed.

Tests to diagnose a GI bleed include:

  • Blood tests may be used to check for signs of GI bleeds, such as anemia.
  • Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) checks for blood in the stool.
  • Endoscopy involves passing a small camera with a light through the mouth and into the stomach, allowing doctors to see the GI tract.
  • Imaging tests including CT scan or X-ray take images of the upper or lower digestive tract to check for signs of bleeding and rule out other conditions.
  • Colonoscopy may be recommended in tandem with endoscopy to test for bleeding.
  • Enteroscopy is similar to an endoscopy test, involving passing a small camera with a light through the mouth and into the stomach to see the GI tract. With an enteroscopy, the camera can be inserted even deeper into the intestine.
  • Angiography tests use X-rays to take pictures of the GI tract and identify areas of bleeding.

How Is a GI Bleed Treated?

How Is a GI Bleed Treated?

Sometimes a GI bleed will go away on its own. If this doesn’t happen, or your doctor suspects there may be a serious cause for the bleed, treatment is required. GI bleed treatment depends on where the bleed originated and can sometimes be performed at the same time as a diagnostic test.

Medication

Medications like antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be prescribed to treat GI bleeds. Medications are often effective for bleeds caused by hemorrhoids, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Surgery

In some cases, your provider may take an interventional approach to fix the cause of a GI bleed. This can sometimes be done during an endoscopy or colonoscopy to avoid the need for multiple procedures. A physician can remove small growths, seal blood vessels, inject medications, and destroy tissue if necessary by using tiny tools at the end of the scope.

Depending on the amount of blood you’ve lost, your physician may recommend reintroducing fluids through an IV or, in serious cases, a blood transfusion.

FAQs

FAQs

Signs of GI bleeding include blood in the vomit or stool, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and black or tarlike stool. Sometimes GI bleeds do not cause any visible symptoms, and can only be detected through laboratory tests.

In cases where GI bleeding is caused by a temporary or mild issue, the bleeding can go away without treatment.

Acute GI bleeding, which is sudden and severe, should be treated as an emergency. Call a doctor right away if you believe you’re experiencing sudden bleeding.

Food and drinks that upset the stomach or act as diuretics should be avoided. These include drinks with caffeine and spicy foods.

 

This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.

Anna E. Krigel, MD

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Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding Treatment

The gastrointestinal experts at NewYork-Presbyterian have access to state-of-the-art diagnostic tools that can help them determine the cause of GI bleeding and provide personalized treatment. With convenient in-person and virtual appointments available, NewYork-Presbyterian has all the resources you need if you are experiencing symptoms of GI bleeding.