Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is bleeding that occurs anywhere along the digestive tract, from the esophagus and stomach through the small and large intestines to the rectum. It is commonly divided into upper gastrointestinal bleeding, arising above the ligament of Treitz, and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, arising …
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is bleeding that occurs anywhere along the digestive tract, from the esophagus and stomach through the small and large intestines to the rectum. It is commonly divided into upper gastrointestinal bleeding, arising above the ligament of Treitz, and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, arising below it. Frequent causes include peptic ulcers, esophageal or gastric varices, inflammation, diverticular disease, vascular malformations, and tumors. Depending on the source and rate of bleeding, presentations range from vomiting of blood or coffee-ground material to black, tarry stools or the passage of fresh blood, and severe cases can lead to anemia, hemodynamic instability, and shock. Diagnosis typically combines clinical assessment with endoscopy, imaging, and laboratory studies to locate the bleeding site and gauge severity, while management addresses both hemostasis and the underlying cause. As a topic within Digestive Disorders And Diagnosis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage sits at the intersection of gastroenterology, diagnostic endoscopy, and acute care. This page gathers peer-reviewed, open-access research relevant to the recognition, evaluation, and management of bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract, serving clinicians and researchers concerned with digestive health.
1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.