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How can you care for yourself when you have upper gastrointestinal bleeding?
- Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
- Do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines, such as naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), without talking to your doctor first. Ask your doctor if it is okay to use acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Do not drink alcohol.
- The bleeding may make you lose iron. So it's important to eat foods that have a lot of iron. These include red meat, shellfish, poultry, and eggs. They also include beans, raisins, whole-grain breads, and leafy green vegetables. If you want help planning meals, you can meet with a dietitian.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have sudden, severe belly pain.
- You vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds.
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- Your stools are maroon or very bloody.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
- Your stools are black and look like tar.
- You have belly pain.
- You vomit or have nausea.
- You have trouble swallowing, or it hurts when you swallow.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you do not get better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.