Stomach bleeding, also known as gastric hemorrhage, is a type of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that is characterized by the loss of blood through the stomach. This usually happens due to an untreated ulcer, which ends up causing bleeding, but can also happen in more severe cases of gastritis, for example.
The most common symptom of a gastric hemorrhage is the change in the color of the stool, which becomes darker and smells very foul, due to the blood being digested. In addition, it is still possible that you have frequent pain in the stomach, caused by the inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
As it is an internal bleeding type, stomach bleeding can often be discovered only after an endoscopy, when the person is 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 type stomach pain;
- Vomiting with bright red blood or the appearance of coffee grounds;
- Dark stools very badly smelling, called scientifically of mane;
- There may be anemia;
- There may be bright red blood mixed with faeces if the bleeding is severe.
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 the possible causes of this type of stool.
How to confirm the diagnosis
To diagnose stomach bleeding it is necessary to perform a digestive endoscopy to visualize the internal region of the esophagus and stomach.
Thus it is possible to analyze the presence of ulcers on your walls. Another examination capable of detecting the disease is colonoscopy, where a microchamber is inserted into the anus and allows visualizing the digestive tract.
Ulcers are formed by the excess of gastric acid produced in the stomach of the individual, which ultimately damages his walls. Poor nutrition and an altered nervous system can make it easier for the ulcer to appear. 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 diet, to relieve inflammation and prevent bleeding, which is a complication of these problems. See how your diet should be if you suffer from ulcer or gastritis.
Already cancer in the stomach is a much more rare cause that is accompanied by other symptoms like constant stomach pain, loss of appetite, frequent weakness and weight loss. Learn more about how to identify stomach cancer.
How is the treatment done?
The treatment for stomach bleeds is the use of stomach medicines and in cases of severe anemia, blood transfusions.
If stomach bleeding is caused by direct trauma to the region, such as in a car accident, for example, surgery may be necessary.
