Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Disease description:
My stool has been black for the past few days, and I'm very anxious, fearing that I may have gastrointestinal bleeding. I would like to ask the doctor, what are the symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding vary depending on the location, speed, and volume of the bleeding. Common symptoms include:
1. Hematemesis: This is a characteristic sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and is especially evident when the blood loss is substantial. When the bleeding is slow, the vomited blood may appear brownish or coffee-colored; however, when there is a large volume of blood lost over a short period, it may appear bright red and may contain clots.
2. Anal discomfort: Such as anal itching or a burning sensation.
3. Bright red blood in the stool: Usually indicates lower gastrointestinal bleeding, such as from the rectum or colon.
4. Black tarry stools: Known as melena, this results from the digestion of blood in the intestines, turning it black.
5. Other systemic symptoms: Including hemorrhagic shock, anemia, and fever. During acute and massive bleeding, patients may experience symptoms of circulatory failure such as dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, fainting, or even coma. Additionally, some patients may develop a low-grade fever within 24 hours that typically lasts for 3–5 days before returning to normal.
If the above symptoms occur, prompt medical attention is necessary to determine the cause and location of the bleeding and to implement appropriate treatment measures.
