What kind of stool is there with upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
Updated on September 18, 2024
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In clinical terms, the upper gastrointestinal tract refers to the digestive system above the ligament of Treitz, primarily including the duodenum, stomach, and esophagus. If there is a minor amount of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, the color of the stool may not change significantly. However, if there is substantial bleeding, the blood can react with gastric acid and may form black, tar-like stools. If gastrointestinal bleeding is detected, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. An endoscopic examination can be performed to establish a clear diagnosis and undertake aggressive treatment, which can potentially save the patient's life.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Which department should I go to for upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

The upper gastrointestinal system primarily refers to bleeding from the digestive system above the Treitz ligament. Therefore, if there is acute massive bleeding in the digestive tract, patients may present with symptoms such as vomiting blood and black stools. If the bleeding is significant and blood volume rapidly decreases, it can cause acute peripheral circulatory disorders, and may even be life-threatening. The causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding include long-standing conditions like peptic ulcers, rupture of esophagogastric varices, acute erosive hemorrhagic gastritis, and stomach cancer, among others. If upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, patients should actively seek medical attention at major hospitals' gastroenterology departments, undergo relevant examinations, and receive prompt treatment.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding causes

The most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is likely peptic ulcers, such as stomach ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, and compound ulcers. Other conditions, such as acute gastric mucosal lesions caused by medication, can also lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastrointestinal tumors, such as esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and duodenal cancer, can also invade blood vessels and cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Vascular diseases, such as varicose veins of the esophagus and stomach base caused by liver cirrhosis, can rupture and lead to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Massive bleeding can also occur due to the rupture of the gastric artery. Other conditions, like systemic diseases and blood disorders, can lead to thrombocytopenia or coagulation dysfunction, which can also result in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
43sec home-news-image

What kind of stool is there with upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

In clinical terms, the upper gastrointestinal tract refers to the digestive system above the ligament of Treitz, primarily including the duodenum, stomach, and esophagus. If there is a minor amount of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, the color of the stool may not change significantly. However, if there is substantial bleeding, the blood can react with gastric acid and may form black, tar-like stools. If gastrointestinal bleeding is detected, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. An endoscopic examination can be performed to establish a clear diagnosis and undertake aggressive treatment, which can potentially save the patient's life.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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The most common symptom of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

The most common symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding mainly include: vomiting blood, black stools, or symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and fatigue, and even hypovolemic shock and hypovolemic anemia, etc. Therefore, when gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, if the patient has a large amount of bleeding and the bleeding is rapid, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly, to administer fluid replenishment, volume expansion, and blood transfusion to replenish blood volume, along with symptomatic treatment such as medication and endoscopic hemostasis. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment may be considered to avoid life-threatening risks.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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The cause of vomiting coffee-colored substances due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding results in the vomiting of coffee-colored blood because the combination of fresh blood with stomach acid forms a coffee-colored liquid. If the bleeding volume exceeds 200mL in a short period, coffee-colored vomit may occur. It is necessary to seek prompt medical attention at a regular hospital’s gastroenterology or emergency department. Adequate diagnosis with an electronic gastroscopy is essential to identify the source and location of the bleeding, and active endoscopic treatment should be undertaken. Additionally, it is crucial to actively replenish fluids, correct the loss of body water, and restore blood volume. Treatment should also include the use of proton pump inhibitors and gastric mucosal protectants.