Blood in Stool

Blood in Stool
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What is it?
 GI/Gastrointestinal Disorders- can be life threatening, may require
emergency treatment or surgery
o Examples- mechanical obstruction of the digestive tract, bleeding in
the GI tract, ileus/a temporary cessation of the tract’s normal
contractile movement, peritonitis/inflammation of the lining of the
abdominal cavity, appendicitis/inflammation of the appendix
 Bleeding- may occur from the couth to the anus, along the digestive /GI
tract
o Examples- blood in the stool, blood in vomit, may be hidden/occult
and detectable only with tests, worsens with another bleeding
disorder
Signs and Symptoms:
 Symptoms- vomiting blood/hematemesis, passing visible blood from the
rectum/hematochezia, passing black tarry stools/melena,
o Black Tarry Stools- bleeding high up in the digestive tract (the
stomach or the duodenum), this is blood that has been exposed to
stomach acid and bacterial digestion for several hours before it exits
the body, 2 oz. of blood can produce a tarry stool, continuous tarry
stools do not indicate consistent bleeding
 Long-Term Bleeding- anemia as tiring easily, pale, chest pain, light-headed
or abnormal drop in the blood pressure after lying down or sitting up
 Serious Blood Loss- often have a rapid pulse rate, low blood pressure,
reduced urine production, cold clammy hands and feet, reduced supply of
blood may lead to confusion, shock, sleepiness, disorientation, (high blood
pressure, lung disease, and kidney failure may worsen), bleeding in the
intestines with liver disease may alter the mental status or changes in
personality
o Diagnosis of CAD/Coronary Artery Disease- may suddenly develop
angina/chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack
Facts:
 GI Problems- 80% of people with GI bleeding, the body’s defenses stop the
bleeding
What can I do?
 See your Health Care Provider- hematocrit, examination for cancer,
examination, endoscope, biopsy, X-rays, scans, transfusion