The digestive or gastrointestinal tract goes from the mouth to the anus. It is often called the GI tract.
Bleeding in the upper GI tract can happen anywhere from the esophagus to the first part of the small intestine. Sometimes it's caused by an ulcer in your stomach. Or it may be caused by blood vessels in your esophagus. Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach.
Light bleeding may not cause any symptoms at first. But if you continue to bleed for a while, you may feel very weak or tired.
Sudden, heavy bleeding means you need to see a doctor right away. This kind of bleeding can be very dangerous. But it can usually be cured or controlled. The doctor may do some tests to find the cause of your bleeding.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you do not get better as expected.
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated