Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Evaluation in Sugar Land, Texas

Identifying and Treating Bleeding in the Upper Digestive Tract

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurs in the esophagus, stomach, or upper portion of the small intestine. It may cause vomiting of bright-red blood or material resembling coffee grounds, black or tarry stools, dizziness, weakness, or shortness of breath. Because significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be life-threatening, active bleeding requires immediate emergency care.

Dr. Gregory L. Shannon is a board-certified gastroenterologist serving patients in Sugar Land, Texas. He provides comprehensive evaluation and follow-up care for conditions that may cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Contact Dr. Shannon’s office for an appointment if you have nonemergency symptoms or need continued gastroenterology care after receiving urgent treatment.

What is Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) refers to hemorrhage or bleeding that occurs in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract (the esophagus, the stomach, or the upper segment of the small intestine) as a result of inflammation or injury. It is basically a symptom of an underlying disease condition and is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention as it carries a significant morbidity and mortality rate of 6 to 13 percent. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is about four times more common than lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB).

Causes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Some causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding include:

• Peptic ulcer disease: Open sores develop in the upper part of the small intestine or in the lining of your stomach as a result of a bacterial infection.
• Mallory-Weiss tears: This is a condition characterized by ruptures in the lining or mucous membranes of your lower esophagus.
• Esophageal varices: A condition characterized by swollen or enlarged veins in the lining of the esophagus.
• Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus usually occurring as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GORD.
• Enteritis: Inflammation of the small intestine occurs often as a result of bacterial or viral infection.
• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining occurs due to infection, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), injury, or certain medication use.

Risk Factors for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Some of the risk factors for developing upper gastrointestinal bleeding may include:

• Previous abdominal surgery
• Previous history of UGIB
• Chronic liver or renal disease
• Medications such as NSAIDs, SSRIs, and corticosteroids

Signs and Symptoms of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Signs and symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be either overt (obvious) or occult (hidden), and depend upon the rate of the bleed and the location of the bleed, which can be anywhere from the beginning of the GI tract (mouth) to the end (anus).

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Black or tarry stools
• Vomiting blood that resembles coffee grounds or is bright red
• Stomach cramps
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Feeling dizzy, faint, or tired
• Shortness of breath

Diagnosis of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Some of the techniques employed for the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding include:

• A review of your medical history, symptoms, and physical examination
• A stool sample test to check for the presence of blood in the stools
• A complete blood count test to check for signs of anemia
• An endoscopic examination of the upper GI tract in which an endoscope - a thin tubular instrument with a camera, light, and a magnifying lens attached at the end - is passed through the upper GI tract. The camera displays images of the inside of your GI tract to help visualize the source of the bleeding.
• A procedure called gastric lavage in which the contents of the stomach are removed to determine the source of the bleed
• Imaging tests such as barium x-rays and CT scans
• A tissue biopsy in which a sample of the affected area is removed and sent for laboratory analysis

Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Several factors, such as the location and cause of the bleeding, and severity of the condition will determine the method of treatment for an upper gastrointestinal bleed. The treatment also involves identify any underlying condition and treating it appropriately. In general, the treatment options may include:

• Use of antibiotics to treat any underlying bacterial condition causing the bleeding, or use of proton pump inhibitors to inhibit acid production in the stomach and enable healing of the stomach ulcers
• Refraining from using certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that may cause stomach ulcers or bleeding
• Injecting a drug directly into the location of the bleeding in the upper GI tract
• Targeted heat treatment through a probe or laser at the bleeding site
• Use of clips to seal the damaged blood vessel causing the bleeding
• Surgical intervention as a final option if your physician feels no other treatment methods can stop the bleeding

Prevention of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent the chances of developing underlying conditions that cause upper GI bleeding. Some preventive measures include:

• Refraining from spicy or acidic foods
• Refraining from caffeine
• Refraining from high-fat foods
• Stopping or limiting the use of NSAIDs
• Stopping or limiting the use of alcohol
• Abstaining from smoking

Why Choose Dr. Gregory L. Shannon for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

Comprehensive Care for Conditions Causing Digestive Tract Bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding may result from peptic ulcers, gastritis, esophagitis, enlarged esophageal veins, or tears in the esophageal lining. Dr. Gregory L. Shannon provides individualized gastroenterology care to help identify the source of bleeding and address the underlying condition.

His approach includes reviewing your symptoms, medications, medical history, and risk factors. Based on the severity of the condition, laboratory testing, imaging, or upper endoscopy may be used to locate the bleeding source and guide treatment.

Patients Can Expect:

• Evaluation of symptoms associated with upper digestive tract bleeding
• Review of medications that may increase bleeding risk
• Blood tests to check for anemia when appropriate
• Upper endoscopy when medically indicated
• Testing for H. pylori infection when appropriate
• Endoscopic treatment of selected bleeding sources
• Personalized management of the underlying digestive condition
• Follow-up care designed to reduce the risk of recurrent bleeding

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding – FAQs

What are the most common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Common causes include peptic ulcers, inflammation of the stomach lining, esophagitis, esophageal varices, and Mallory-Weiss tears. Less common causes include abnormal blood vessels and tumors of the upper digestive tract.

What does upper gastrointestinal bleeding look like?

It may cause vomiting of bright-red blood or dark material resembling coffee grounds. Blood that passes through the digestive tract may produce black, sticky, or tarry stools. Slow bleeding may not be visible and may instead cause anemia, fatigue, or shortness of breath.

Is upper gastrointestinal bleeding always an emergency?

Active upper gastrointestinal bleeding can become life-threatening and requires immediate medical evaluation. Vomiting blood, passing black tarry stools, fainting, confusion, rapid heartbeat, or developing marked weakness are reasons to seek emergency care rather than wait for an office appointment.

Can a stomach ulcer cause internal bleeding?

Yes. A peptic ulcer can damage a blood vessel in the stomach or upper small intestine and cause bleeding. Ulcers are frequently associated with H. pylori infection or NSAID use, although other factors may contribute.

Can medications increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Yes. NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can damage the stomach lining and increase bleeding risk. Anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, corticosteroids, and certain other medications may also affect that risk. Do not stop a prescribed medication without consulting the prescribing healthcare professional.

How is upper gastrointestinal bleeding diagnosed?

Evaluation may include blood tests, stool testing, imaging, and upper endoscopy. During an upper endoscopy, a flexible instrument equipped with a camera is passed through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.

Can bleeding be treated during an upper endoscopy?

Yes. Depending on the bleeding source, treatment may be performed during endoscopy using medication injection, heat therapy, clips, bands, or other techniques. Additional interventional radiology or surgical treatment may be required if bleeding cannot be controlled endoscopically.

Can upper gastrointestinal bleeding cause anemia?

Yes. Slow or recurrent bleeding can reduce healthy red blood cells and cause iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, pale skin, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat.

Can upper gastrointestinal bleeding happen again after treatment?

Yes. Rebleeding can occur if the underlying cause is not completely treated or risk factors remain. Following medication instructions, completing treatment for H. pylori, avoiding inappropriate NSAID use, and attending recommended follow-up visits may help lower the risk.

When should I seek emergency care?

Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department for vomiting blood, coffee-ground vomit, black tarry stools, fainting, confusion, chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, a rapid heartbeat, or signs of shock. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or significantly unwell.

Take the Next Step in Your Digestive Health

Evaluation, Treatment & Continued Gastroenterology Care

If you have unexplained anemia, a previous episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, or a condition that requires continued digestive care, Dr. Shannon can provide comprehensive evaluation and follow-up treatment. Contact his office in Sugar Land, Texas, for a nonemergency appointment. If you have active bleeding or symptoms of significant blood loss, seek emergency medical care immediately.