How to examine for gastrointestinal bleeding

Sep 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Huang Yuhong

Introduction

In general, the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding requires a combination of symptoms and medical history, along with professional examinations to determine the location, cause, and severity of the bleeding. These examinations mainly include gastroscopy, laboratory tests, imaging studies, fecal occult blood tests, and capsule endoscopy. It is recommended that individuals suspected of having gastrointestinal bleeding follow medical advice to prepare properly before undergoing these tests, such as fasting before a gastroscopy.

Generally, the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding requires a combination of symptoms and medical history, and the specific location, cause, and severity of bleeding should be identified through professional examinations. Main diagnostic methods include gastroscopy, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, fecal occult blood test, and capsule endoscopy. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Gastroscopy: This is the most commonly used and direct method for diagnosing gastrointestinal bleeding. A flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth into the stomach to directly observe the gastric mucosa, identify the presence of bleeding lesions such as ulcers, ruptured blood vessels, or tumors, and clearly visualize the specific morphology and bleeding rate at the bleeding site.

2. Laboratory tests: These mainly include complete blood count (CBC) and coagulation function tests. CBC can assess the amount of bleeding and evaluate the presence and severity of anemia by measuring red blood cell and hemoglobin levels; coagulation tests help determine whether the patient's clotting mechanism is normal and identify bleeding caused by coagulation disorders.

3. Imaging examinations: Commonly used methods include abdominal CT or ultrasound, which can assess the overall morphology of the stomach and surrounding tissues, and help detect diseases that may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, such as gastric tumors or liver cirrhosis.

4. Fecal occult blood test: This test detects the presence of microscopic blood in the stool that is invisible to the naked eye to determine whether occult gastrointestinal bleeding exists. It is a simple, non-invasive test suitable as an initial screening method. A positive result suggests possible gastrointestinal bleeding.

5. Capsule endoscopy: The patient swallows a capsule equipped with a camera. As the capsule moves through the gastrointestinal tract, it captures images and transmits them to an external receiver, allowing comprehensive visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

It is recommended that individuals suspected of having gastrointestinal bleeding follow medical advice to prepare for the examinations—for example, fasting before gastroscopy to avoid food or fluid intake that might interfere with visualization. During the examination, patients should remain relaxed and cooperate with the medical staff. After the examination, patients should adjust their diet and lifestyle according to the physician's recommendations and promptly report any discomfort to the medical team to ensure safe and effective evaluation.

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What is the best way to treat gastrointestinal bleeding?

Under normal circumstances, gastric bleeding may be caused by factors such as alcohol consumption irritating the gastric mucosa, taking medications that damage the gastric mucosa, acute erosive gastritis, gastric ulcers, or rupture of esophageal and gastric varices. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through general treatment and medication under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, alcohol consumption should be avoided, medications that damage the gastric mucosa should be used cautiously, and a regular diet should be maintained.

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Why is there no symptom of gastrointestinal bleeding?

In general, cases of gastric bleeding without symptoms may be caused by minimal blood loss that does not produce discomfort, slow bleeding allowing the body to gradually adapt, chronic non-atrophic gastritis, early-stage gastric ulcer, or compensated cirrhosis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintain a bland and easily digestible diet, and consume more foods such as porridge and soft noodles.

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What is gastric bleeding?

Under normal circumstances, gastric bleeding, medically known as upper gastrointestinal bleeding, is one of the common emergencies in gastroenterology. It refers to bleeding occurring from the esophagus to the duodenum. In daily life, one should maintain regular eating habits, avoid overeating, reduce consumption of spicy or excessively hot foods, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption and the misuse of medications that can damage the gastric mucosa. Symptoms such as hematemesis (vomiting blood) and melena (black stool) may occur.

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What Are the Three Types of Food Most Feared for Gastric Bleeding?

Generally speaking, there is no specific claim regarding "the three types of food most feared in gastrointestinal bleeding." Patients with gastrointestinal bleeding should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, hard or coarse foods, excessively hot foods, greasy and hard-to-digest foods, as well as alcoholic beverages. These types of food may worsen gastric mucosal damage, exacerbate bleeding, or impair recovery. During the recovery phase of gastrointestinal bleeding, the diet should primarily consist of cool, soft, and easily digestible foods.