What are the warning signs of gastrointestinal bleeding?

Sep 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Huang Yuhong

Introduction

In general, warning signs of gastrointestinal bleeding may include upper abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, black or tarry stools, hematemesis (vomiting blood), dizziness, and fatigue. These symptoms are often associated with damage to the gastric mucosa or ruptured blood vessels. If the above symptoms occur, it is recommended to temporarily avoid eating spicy, hard, or irritating foods, and instead choose mild, easily digestible meals.

Generally, before gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, there may be warning signs such as upper abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, black or tarry stools, hematemesis (vomiting of blood), dizziness, and fatigue. These symptoms are often related to gastric mucosal damage or ruptured blood vessels. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Upper abdominal discomfort: Prior to gastrointestinal bleeding, individuals often experience dull pain, distension, or a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. The severity of the pain varies and may worsen when the stomach is empty or after eating. This discomfort is often caused by worsening gastritis or ulcers, which stimulate the mucous membrane and surrounding tissues, indicating that gastric mucosal damage may have already occurred, with a risk of bleeding.

2. Nausea and vomiting: Some individuals may experience frequent nausea before gastrointestinal bleeding, and in severe cases, vomiting may occur. If the vomit contains small amounts of blood streaks or appears coffee-ground in color, this typically indicates minor gastric bleeding mixed with gastric acid, signaling that bleeding has already occurred and warning of a potential increase in blood loss.

3. Black or tarry stools: If the stool appears black, sticky, and shiny—resembling tar—this may be due to small amounts of gastric bleeding being digested in the intestines, forming iron sulfide. Such changes in stool appearance are often early signals of gastrointestinal bleeding and require prompt investigation of the underlying cause.

4. Hematemesis: If there is significant gastric bleeding, the blood may irritate the gastric mucosa, causing severe vomiting. The vomit may appear bright red or dark red, sometimes containing blood clots. This condition usually indicates a significant rupture of blood vessels in the stomach and is a critical warning sign of gastrointestinal bleeding, necessitating prompt medical intervention.

5. Dizziness and fatigue: If minor but persistent bleeding has already occurred before significant gastrointestinal bleeding, it may lead to mild anemia, manifesting as dizziness, fatigue, low energy, with symptoms worsening after physical activity. This is due to blood loss affecting oxygen delivery in the body and serves as an abnormal warning signal that should be assessed in combination with other symptoms.

It is recommended that if the above symptoms occur, one should temporarily avoid eating spicy, coarse, or irritating foods and instead choose mild, easily digestible meals. At the same time, maintaining a regular lifestyle and avoiding excessive fatigue can provide favorable conditions for gastric recovery.

View All

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.

View Full Answer

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.

View Full Answer

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.

View Full Answer

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.