Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment

The management and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding depends on several factors which include:

  • Severity of bleeding
  • Cause of bleeding
  • Site of bleeding (upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding)
  • Age and general condition of the patient

Treatment is initially focused on fluid resuscitation in order to replenish the bodily fluids lost through bleeding and prevent hypovolemia or shock. Fluid resuscitation is one of the most vital aspects in the management of patients who have become critically ill through blood loss.

Depending on the cause and site of the bleeding, various different treatment approaches are used. Some of the treatment approaches to gastrointestinal bleeding are described below:

Peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcer is one of the most common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Acid production in the stomach needs to be suppressed to allow ulcers to heal, which can be achieved using proton pump inhibitors. Examples of these agents include pantoprazole, omeprazole and rabeprazole.

Bleeding varices

Variceal bleeding is a life threatening condition caused by portal hypertension or high blood pressure in the portal vein, which carries blood to the liver from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen. Portal hypertension can cause engorgement of the blood vessels at the base of the esophagus (esophageal varices) or in the rectum (rectal varices). Rupture of the esophageal varices leads to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract and lower gastrointestinal bleeding occurs when the rectal varices burst. To reduce the portal hypertension, drugs such as vasopressin analogues and octreotide may be administered. Sometimes, a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is used to mechanically press upon the varices and stop the bleeding.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD/OGD) or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure that can be use to both identify and treat the source of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The endoscope is passed into the esophagus into the stomach and duodenum to view the lining of these structures and take a biopsy sample. Some of the procedures that may then be performed include sclerotherapy injection, thermal cautery and band ligation.

Sources

  1. http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13762/59549/59549.pdf
  2. http://www.accp.com/docs/bookstore/psap/p7b11sample01.pdf
  3. http://www.gidiseasesandcomplications.com/gi_bleed/gi_bleed.pdf
  4. https://med.nyu.edu/

Further Reading

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2023

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Mandal, Ananya. (2023, July 18). Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 31, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Gastrointestinal-Bleeding-Treatment.aspx.

  • MLA

    Mandal, Ananya. "Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment". News-Medical. 31 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Gastrointestinal-Bleeding-Treatment.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Mandal, Ananya. "Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Gastrointestinal-Bleeding-Treatment.aspx. (accessed October 31, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Mandal, Ananya. 2023. Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment. News-Medical, viewed 31 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Gastrointestinal-Bleeding-Treatment.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.