Symptoms of Gastric Bleeding

The main symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding include hematemesis and melena. During hematemesis, the blood may appear either bright red or resemble coffee grounds, with the latter indicating that the blood has mixed with gastric acid. Melena typically presents as tar-like stools, resulting from chemical reactions acting on blood within the gastrointestinal tract. When the volume of bleeding is small, it may only be detected by a positive fecal occult blood test; however, with increased blood loss, complications such as anemia and hemorrhagic shock may develop, manifesting as pallor, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, a weak and rapid pulse, and a drop in blood pressure. Additionally, patients may experience gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal distension, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, as well as systemic symptoms like fever and azotemia. The appearance of these symptoms suggests the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding, and prompt medical attention is required for diagnosis and treatment.