Upper gastrointestinal bleeding examination methods

Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is relatively common in clinical practice. The main diagnostic methods include gastroscopy, barium meal examination of the gastrointestinal tract, and DS imaging of the gastrointestinal tract, among others. If a patient experiences a large amount of bleeding at a rapid pace after upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it can lead to a drop in blood volume and hypovolemic shock, which can be life-threatening. In such cases, it is crucial to seek prompt medical treatment and use hemostatic drugs, and even endoscopic hemostasis or surgical intervention may be necessary to actively save the patient's life.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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What medicine is used to stop bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract?

Pharmacological treatment for upper gastrointestinal bleeding may include aggressive fluid resuscitation to improve symptoms of hypovolemia, transfusion of red blood cells when necessary to correct anemia, and the use of acid-suppressive and gastroprotective medications to prevent further bleeding. Common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding include gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and even vascular anomalies. Therefore, in the early stages, it is advisable to choose acid-suppressive and gastroprotective medications to treat common causes such as gastric ulcers and gastritis, which lead to bleeding. The main symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding are vomiting blood or bleeding from the bowels. In severe cases, the patient may also experience dizziness and fatigue due to low blood volume. For such patients, once the condition stabilizes, it is important to conduct routine blood tests, electrocardiography, and gastroscopy to identify the specific cause of the bleeding. Different causes require different treatment approaches. If the bleeding is suspected to be caused by a tumor, pharmacological treatment may not be very effective, and surgical intervention might be more appropriate. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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 Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding gastroscopy time

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is also relatively common in clinical practice. The most common causes are bleeding from peptic ulcers, rupture of esophageal and gastric varices, bleeding caused by gastric cancer, and various emergency bleedings. Once gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, medical attention should be sought promptly. If the patient experiences hemorrhagic shock or hemorrhagic anemia, it is necessary to provide blood transfusions and hemostasis, and replenish blood volume as active treatments. Additionally, for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is generally advisable to complete a gastroscopic examination within 24 to 48 hours, which can help clarify the cause of the patient’s gastrointestinal bleeding.

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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.

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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.