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Gastrointestinal bleeding

Haemorrhagia gastrointestinalis · Krvácení do trávicího traktu

What it is

Bleeding anywhere along nine metres of tube; upper bleeds are the dangerous ones.

Symptoms & signs

  • Vomiting blood or coffee grounds
  • black tarry stool
  • fresh red rectal bleeding
  • dizziness
  • collapse

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
  • call 112 / 911 now Black tarry or maroon stools
  • call 112 / 911 now Dizziness, fainting, pale sweaty skin or fast heartbeat
  • see a doctor soon Small amounts of blood in stool that keep coming back

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Resuscitation and transfusion
  • urgent endoscopy with clipping or banding
  • PPI infusion
  • terlipressin for varices
  • embolisation
  • haemostatic powder (Hemospray) — FDA-authorised 2018
  • over-the-scope clips — FDA-cleared, used for large or recurrent ulcer bleeds

Natural & lifestyle

  • Stop NSAIDs and alcohol
  • treat H. pylori
  • iron repletion afterwards

Emerging & experimental

  • AI capsule endoscopy

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Tranexamic acid — the HALT-IT trial found no benefit and more clots not confirmed in trials
  • Styptic herbs (yarrow, shepherd's purse) — traditional; no role in real bleeding anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes