Back to Diseases & Conditions

Gastrointestinal bleeding

Symptoms of GI bleeding can be easy to see, called overt, or not so obvious, known as occult. Symptoms depend on the rate of bleeding as well as the location of the bleed, which can be anywhere on the GI tract, from where it starts — the mouth — to where it ends — the anus.

Overt bleeding might show up as:

With occult bleeding, you might have:

Symptoms of shock

If your bleeding starts suddenly and gets worse quickly, you could go into shock. Symptoms of shock include:

When to see a doctor

If you have symptoms of shock, you or someone else should call 911 or your local emergency medical number. If you’re vomiting blood, see blood in your stools or have black, tarry stools, seek immediate medical care. If you notice any symptoms of GI bleeding, make an appointment with your doctor.

Gastrointestinal bleeding can happen either in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract.

Upper GI bleeding

Causes of upper GI bleeding can include:

Lower GI bleeding

Causes can include:

A gastrointestinal bleed can cause:

To help prevent a GI bleed:

To find the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, a health care professional will first take your medical history, including a history of previous bleeding, and do a physical exam. Tests also may be ordered, such as:

If your GI bleeding is severe, and noninvasive tests can’t find the source, you might need surgery so that doctors can view the entire small intestine. Fortunately, this is rare.

GI bleeding often stops on its own. If it doesn’t, treatment depends on where the bleed is from. In many cases, bleeding can be treated with medicine or a procedure during a test. For example, it’s sometimes possible to treat a bleeding peptic ulcer during an upper endoscopy or to remove polyps during a colonoscopy.

If you have an upper GI bleed, you will be given an IV drug known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to suppress stomach acid production. Once the source of the bleeding is identified, your doctor will determine whether you need to continue taking a PPI.

Depending on the amount of blood loss and whether you continue to bleed, you might need fluids through a needle (IV) and, possibly, blood transfusions. If you take blood-thinning medicines, including aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, you might need to stop.

If your bleeding is not severe, you might start by seeing your doctor or other general health care professional. Or you might be referred immediately to a specialist in gastrointestinal disorders, called a gastroenterologist.

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you’re given.

For gastrointestinal bleeding, basic questions to ask include:

Don’t hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

You’ll likely be asked a few questions, such as:

© 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

We Make Health Possible

As East Central Indiana’s population grows, we’re putting health care where people need it most. Besides Hancock Regional Hospital, ranked as one of the nation’s safest by the Lown Hospital Index, our network includes more than 30 other locations near your home or work.

Learn More about Hancock