Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Diagnosis & Tests (GI Bleeding, Bleeding in the Gut, Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage)

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You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Medical Symptoms > Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Diagnosis & Tests
Category : Health Centers > Digestive System

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Alternate Names : GI Bleeding, Bleeding in the Gut, Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Gastrointestinal Bleeding | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

How is the condition diagnosed?

Bleeding in the GI tract may be discovered with a routine test of the stool for blood that is often part of a complete physical exam. In other cases, a person complains of blood in the stool. In some cases, the history and physical exam are all that is needed to determine the cause, such as with visible hemorrhoids.

In most cases, further testing is needed, and may include:

a CBC, or complete blood count

endoscopy to locate the source of bleeding. This is a procedure that uses a thin tube with a light and camera on the end of it. The tube can be inserted into the mouth or anus and advanced into the GI tract. The camera on the end of the tube allows the provider to see the inside lining of the GI tract.

special x-ray tests or additional tests to detect bleeding

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Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Symptoms & Signs		Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Prevention & Expectations

Author: Adam Brochert, MD
Reviewer: Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Reviewed: 08/07/01

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