Digestive system bleeding can occur in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts. Let's discuss how to differentiate between them.
Our digestive system can generally be divided into two parts: the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. These can be caused by many factors and may not cause significant symptoms if not addressed carefully.
Causes of gastrointestinal bleeding
In general, gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by many things. One common cause of gastrointestinal bleeding is long-term inflammation, which can lead to ulcers. This condition can be caused by bacterial infections such as H. pylori in the stomach and duodenum, a history of medication use such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol consumption, spicy foods, and smoking.
Additionally, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by varicose veins, or dilated blood vessels. A common example is esophageal varices, caused by liver cirrhosis, which can cause esophageal blood vessels to dilate, thinning the blood vessel walls, and even rupture. Gastrointestinal bleeding can also be caused by tumors in the digestive tract.
Gastrointestinal tract obstructions can cause blood vessels to dilate and rupture. Malignant tumors that produce new blood vessels can also cause blockages. In cancer, the tumor produces new blood vessels that are relatively small, branch frequently, and are susceptible to rupture, causing bleeding in the digestive tract.
Symptoms experienced
When experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding, symptoms can vary depending on the location and volume of the bleeding. It's important to know how to distinguish whether the bleeding is in the upper or lower digestive tract. The upper and lower digestive tracts are separated by the ligament of Treitz. The upper digestive tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
The lower digestive tract consists of the jejunum, ileum, colon (large intestine), rectum, and anus. Generally, gastrointestinal bleeding can cause weakness and paleness, especially when there is a large amount of blood loss. Fatigue, dizziness, and even fainting can also occur. Excessive or prolonged bleeding can cause an increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure. Laboratory blood tests can also reveal decreased hemoglobin and red blood cell counts.
If left untreated, it can lead to complications such as hypovolemic shock and loss of consciousness. Symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding can include nausea and vomiting with blood. In some cases, upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be characterized by blackish stools due to blood. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding can also cause bowel movements with bright red blood.
How to differentiate between upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding?
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding typically involves vomiting blood. Bleeding in the mouth and esophagus is typically bright red. Bleeding caused by ruptured esophageal varices can result in a very large volume of blood loss, potentially leading to a rapid drop in blood pressure and hypovolemic shock. Bleeding that has progressed to the stomach and duodenum may cause blackish blood to be vomited due to its reaction with stomach acid.
This condition is called hematemesis. Furthermore, when there is upper gastrointestinal bleeding, there may also be stool containing blood that is thick, black, and sticky because it has come into contact with stomach acid and been digested and passed through the lower digestive tract. This sign is known as melena.
Meanwhile, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly in the lower part of the body, such as the rectum and anus, usually results in stool containing bright red blood. If you experience any of the typical signs and symptoms mentioned above, it's crucial to consult a doctor for further evaluation and treatment to prevent complications.
Written by Dr. Valda Garcia. Reviewed by Dr. Ernest Eugene.
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