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Gastrointestinal Bleeding
GI bleeding is bleeding anywhere in the digestive tract, from the food pipe to the back passage. It ranges from tiny amounts found on testing to a life-threatening emergency.
Causes & risk factors
- Peptic ulcers and gastritis (upper GI)
- Swollen veins in the food pipe (varices) in liver disease
- Piles, anal fissures or diverticular disease (lower GI)
- Bowel polyps or cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- NSAID painkillers
Common symptoms
- Black, tarry or bloody stools
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Tiredness from anaemia
- Tummy pain
- Breathlessness with heavy blood loss
Tests & diagnosis
- CBC
- Haemoglobin
- Upper GI endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Clotting (PT/INR)
Treatment & management
- Urgent assessment; heavy bleeding is a medical emergency
- Fluids and blood transfusion if needed
- Endoscopy to find and stop the bleeding point
- Acid-suppressing medicines for ulcers
- Treat the underlying cause — ulcer, varices, piles or bowel disease
When to see a doctor urgently
- Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools — seek emergency care
- Large amounts of red blood from the back passage
- Feeling faint, very pale, or a racing heart
- Any unexplained blood in the stool
Frequently asked questions
What do black stools mean?
Black, tarry, foul-smelling stools often mean bleeding higher up in the gut, such as from a stomach ulcer. It needs urgent medical assessment. (Iron tablets can also darken stools.)
Is a small amount of blood on the paper serious?
It is often from piles or a fissure, but any rectal bleeding should be checked, as it can occasionally signal something more serious, especially with a change in bowel habit.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.