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Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Symptoms

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a disease itself, requiring medical evaluation to determine the source and cause.

Overview

Your digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or colon, rectum, and anus. Bleeding can come from any of these areas. The amount of bleeding can be so small that only a lab test can find it.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs of bleeding in the digestive tract depend on where it is and how much bleeding there is.

Upper Digestive Tract

  • Bright red blood in vomit
  • Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • Black or tarry stool
  • Dark blood mixed with stool

Lower Digestive Tract

  • Black or tarry stool
  • Dark blood mixed with stool
  • Stool mixed or coated with bright red blood

Causes

GI bleeding is not a disease, but a symptom of a disease. There are many possible causes of GI bleeding, including hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, tears or inflammation in the esophagus, diverticulosis and diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, colonic polyps, or cancer in the colon, stomach, or esophagus.

Diagnosis

The test used most often to look for the cause of GI bleeding is called endoscopy. It uses a flexible instrument inserted through the mouth or rectum to view the inside of the GI tract. A type of endoscopy called colonoscopy looks at the large intestine.

Frequently Asked Questions

fter successful endoscopic therapy, most patients can resume light activities within 24–48 hours, but heavy lifting or strenuous exercise should wait at least a week. Full recovery, including resuming a normal diet and medications, usually takes 1–2 weeks, but follow your doctor’s specific guidance.
If you experience sudden, severe abdominal pain, fainting or dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, a drop in blood pressure, or a sudden increase in the amount of blood in vomit or stool, seek emergency care right away. These symptoms suggest significant blood loss that could be life‑threatening.
During an upper or lower endoscopy, a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth or rectum to visualize the GI tract. The doctor may use mild sedation or local anesthesia. The procedure allows direct visualization of ulcers, tears, polyps, or tumors, and can sometimes treat the bleeding site by cauterizing or clipping it.
void non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin unless prescribed; use proton pump inhibitors as directed; limit alcohol and spicy foods; quit smoking; manage stress; and keep regular follow‑up appointments for endoscopic surveillance.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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