Stomach bleeding, also known as gastric bleeding, is a type of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that is characterized by blood loss through the stomach. This usually happens due to an untreated ulcer, which ends up causing bleeding, but it can also happen in more severe cases of gastritis, for example.
The most common symptom of gastric bleeding is a change in the color of the stool, which becomes darker and smells very foul, due to the digested blood. In addition, it is still possible that you may experience frequent pain in your stomach, caused by inflammation of the lining of your stomach.
As it is an internal hemorrhage type, stomach bleeding can often be discovered only after an endoscopy, when the person has been diagnosed with anemia for a long time, which does not improve with any type of treatment. See other types of internal bleeding and how to identify.
Main symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of stomach, or gastric, bleeding include:
- Colic-like stomach pain; Vomiting with bright red blood or coffee grounds; Smelly dark stools, scientifically called melena; There may be anemia; There may be bright red blood mixed with the feces, if bleeding is intense.
The black color of the stool is due to the degradation of the blood in the intestine and, therefore, whenever it arises, you should consult a gastroenterologist or a general practitioner, to try to find the cause of the problem and start the most appropriate treatment. See what are the possible causes of this type of stool.
How to confirm the diagnosis
In order to diagnose stomach bleeding, it is necessary to perform a digestive endoscopy that allows visualizing the internal region of the esophagus and stomach.
So it is possible to analyze the presence of ulcers on your walls. Another exam capable of detecting the disease is colonoscopy, where a microcamera is inserted into the anus and allows you to view the digestive tract.
Ulcers are formed by the excess of gastric acid produced in the individual's stomach, which ends up damaging its walls. A poor diet and an altered nervous system can facilitate the appearance of the ulcer. Stress causes a greater amount of gastric acid to be produced.
Possible causes
Stomach bleeding is usually caused by severe inflammation of the stomach wall. Thus, the most common causes include:
- Gastric ulcers; Chronic gastritis; Gastric cancer.
Thus, ulcers and gastritis should always be treated properly, usually with changes in the diet, to relieve inflammation and prevent bleeding, which ends up being a complication of these problems. See what the diet should be like if you suffer from ulcers or gastritis.
Stomach cancer is a much rarer cause that is accompanied by other symptoms such as constant stomach pain, loss of appetite, frequent weakness and weight loss. Learn more about how to identify stomach cancer.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for stomach bleeding is the use of medication for the stomach and in cases of severe anemia, blood transfusions.
If stomach bleeding is caused by direct trauma to the region, as in a car accident, for example, surgery may be necessary.
