Early symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding
Disease description:
I've been feeling increasingly uncomfortable in my stomach, experiencing sudden pain, and it's been painful for quite a long time. The doctor said it's a stomach bleed, and I want to understand, what are the early symptoms of stomach bleeding?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Early symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding:
1. Abdominal discomfort: Discomfort, pain, or a burning sensation in the stomach area may be early signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. This pain may be related to eating or may persist continuously.
2. Vomiting blood and black tarry stools: The classic signs of gastrointestinal bleeding are hematemesis (vomiting blood) and melena (black, tarry stools). The vomited blood is often brown or resembles coffee grounds, while the stools appear like tar—sticky and glossy. This characteristic appearance is due to the reaction of iron from the blood with sulfides in the intestines, forming iron sulfide.
3. Fever: Some patients may develop a low-grade fever after gastrointestinal bleeding, with body temperature generally not exceeding 38.5°C. The fever typically lasts for 3–5 days and may be related to dysfunction of the body's temperature-regulating center.
4. Symptoms of anemia: Long-term chronic blood loss can lead to anemia, manifesting as pallor, fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may not be obvious at the onset of bleeding but can progressively worsen as the bleeding continues.
If any of the above symptoms occur, especially black stools or vomiting blood, immediate medical attention should be sought.
