Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding includes which areas?

In clinical practice, bleeding in the digestive system above the ligament of Treitz is referred to as upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It primarily includes the following areas: The first major category is esophageal diseases, such as esophagitis, esophageal trauma, and other causes of bleeding. The second category is duodenal diseases, such as peptic ulcers, acute erosive hemorrhagic gastritis, stomach cancer, etc. Another cause is liver cirrhosis leading to portal hypertension, which can cause rupture and bleeding in esophageal and gastric varices. The fourth category includes biliary system and pancreatic diseases involving the duodenum, such as pancreatic cancer, which can also lead to bleeding.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can you eat egg custard with upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

As for whether one can eat egg custard when experiencing upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it requires specific analysis of the situation. If it is during the acute phase of bleeding, such as just after vomiting blood, at that moment, one cannot eat anything and must fast. If the upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been treated and the patient has largely recovered, then they can eat egg custard, as well as other liquid or semi-liquid foods. Therefore, whether a patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding can eat egg custard depends on the patient's condition. Once a patient experiences upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is crucial to seek prompt medical attention at a reputable hospital's gastroenterology department to undergo thorough examinations, such as an endoscopy, to confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting blood suggests how much bleeding?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding presenting as hematemesis indicates a bleeding volume of at least 200 mL. If a patient experiences upper gastrointestinal bleeding accompanied by vomiting blood, it suggests a significant amount of bleeding and should be taken very seriously. Patients should seek treatment at a specialized gastrointestinal department of a reputable hospital and have an endoscopic examination as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, endoscopic hemostasis can be performed. After the occurrence of hematemesis due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is recommended to be hospitalized for treatment. Treatment should also include the use of hemostatic drugs, acid-suppressing medications, and drugs that protect the gastric mucosa. Acid suppression medications can include proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonists, among others.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Clinical manifestations of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding typically present with vomiting blood or bleeding from the stool. Of course, if the bleeding amount is small, there may be no other discomfort. However, if the bleeding is significant, symptoms may include dizziness, fatigue, chest tightness, and palpitations related to low blood volume. Some patients might also experience abdominal discomfort, such as abdominal pain, bloating, or even indigestion. For those suspected of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is advisable to further complete blood tests, stool analysis, and electrocardiograms. It is necessary to promptly carry out a gastroscopy when needed to clarify the cause of the bleeding, and consider if it is due to ulcers or vascular malformations. In the early stages of treatment, symptomatic management should be prioritized, and patients are advised to actively rehydrate to improve symptoms of low blood volume and to transfuse red blood cells if necessary to correct anemia. Once the cause is identified, causative treatment should be added, such as the use of acid-suppressing and gastric-protecting drugs for bleeding associated with peptic ulcers. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Why does pulmonary heart disease cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Cor pulmonale is a very common type of heart disease in the clinic, mainly caused by various etiologies leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension, which results in right ventricular hypertrophy. Typically, patients with this disease have underlying pulmonary and cardiac lesions, and it mainly causes symptoms of varying degrees, such as fever, cough, expectoration, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and even difficulty breathing. Cor pulmonale is a complex disease, and if not managed properly in clinical practice, it can lead to many complications, especially respiratory failure and heart failure. This can lead to insufficient blood and oxygen supply, causing various degrees of increased pressure in the gastric vessels or vascular spasms due to hypoxia, all of which can cause patients to experience upper gastrointestinal bleeding during severe coughing, or when consuming certain foods.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Emergency measures for upper gastrointestinal bleeding

The treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding temporarily focuses on fasting and symptomatic fluid replacement. If the patient exhibits significant anemia, actively transfusing red blood cells to correct the anemia is advised. It is recommended that the patient rests in bed, with heart monitoring, blood pressure, and pulse being monitored. As for medications, acid-suppressing, stomach-protecting, and hemostatic drugs may initially be chosen for observation. Once the vital signs and condition have stabilized, it is important to promptly complete routine blood tests, electrocardiograms, and gastroscopy. Among these, gastroscopy is the most crucial diagnostic method, as it can clarify the cause and nature of the bleeding, such as gastric ulcer bleeding, gastric cancer bleeding, etc. Treatment plans vary depending on the cause; if the bleeding is suspected to be due to peptic ulcer disease, medication support is generally the first choice. If the bleeding is suspected to be from malignant transformation of gastric cancer, surgical intervention is typically necessary.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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How to determine if upper gastrointestinal bleeding has led to hemorrhagic shock

Patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding who experience symptoms such as cold sweats, fainting, reduced urine output, dry mouth, etc., may be experiencing hemorrhagic shock and should promptly visit the gastroenterology department or emergency department of a formal hospital for timely emergency treatment. Measures include establishing an intravenous line and actively rehydrating to replenish lost fluids and blood volume. Additionally, if the patient's condition permits, it is crucial to perform a thorough gastroscopy to ascertain the cause and location of the bleeding. When necessary, endoscopic hemostasis can be carried out. Patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding also need treatments such as acid suppression and protection of the gastric mucosa.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Mild upper gastrointestinal bleeding symptoms

Symptoms of mild upper gastrointestinal bleeding mainly include dizziness, fatigue, poor appetite, etc., and there may also be cases of passing black stools. Once a patient experiences black stools accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue, upper gastrointestinal bleeding should be considered. It is advisable to visit the gastroenterology department of a reputable hospital as soon as possible to undergo a gastroscopy to promptly determine the cause of the condition. Depending on the different causes, appropriate and active treatment measures should be taken. Additionally, endoscopic hemostasis treatment can also be considered. Patients with mild upper gastrointestinal bleeding should also be extra cautious, as delayed treatment may lead to the possibility of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage rescue process

First, it is important to address the most life-threatening situations by promptly clearing the airway to prevent blood clots from gastrointestinal bleeding from blocking the bronchi, which can cause choking or asphyxiation. Additionally, it is crucial to timely replenish blood volume, as significant blood loss can directly lead to shock. While combating shock, actively identify the cause of the bleeding. Use a gastroscope for examination, and blood can be stopped under gastroscopy. If it cannot be stopped under gastroscopy, an emergency laparotomy should be performed to carry out a major gastrectomy. Postoperatively, intensive care should be strengthened, actively identifying the cause of gastric bleeding, providing symptomatic treatment, and maintaining regular dietary habits, with meals being on schedule and in fixed amounts.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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What is good to eat for upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

In the acute phase of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is recommended that the patient does not consume food and the bleeding situation is observed. Once the condition stabilizes, a liquid diet can be initiated, which may include water, soups, and porridge. Common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding include gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, vascular malformations, inflammation, and more. Treatment varies depending on the cause; for gastric and duodenal ulcers, medication is generally an option. If the bleeding is due to vascular malformations or tumors, endoscopic treatment or surgical intervention may be necessary. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is relatively common clinically, typically presenting with symptoms of vomiting blood and bloody stools. Significant bleeding can also lead to symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, and chest tightness due to low blood volume. Diagnostic procedures mainly include complete blood count, stool tests, electrocardiograms, and crucially, gastroscopy, which is essential for identifying the specific cause of the bleeding.