Overview
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a sign of a problem in your digestive system. It can cause blood to appear in your stool or vomit, but it may not always be visible. This can make your stool look black or tarry. The severity of the bleeding can vary from mild to severe and can be dangerous to your life.
Symptoms
GI bleeding symptoms can be either visible (overt) or hidden (occult). The signs and symptoms vary depending on the site of the bleed, which can occur anywhere along the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, and the pace of bleeding.
Overt bleeding can manifest as:
Vomiting blood, which may be crimson or dark brown in color and texture, and resembles coffee grounds
tarry black stool
Rectal bleeding, generally with or in the presence of stool
You may have the following symptoms if you have occult bleeding:
Lightheadedness
Having trouble breathing
Fainting
Chest ache
Pain in the abdomen
Symptoms of shock
If your bleeding starts abruptly and progresses rapidly, you could go into shock. Signs and symptoms of shock include:
- Drop in blood pressure
- Not urinating or urinating infrequently, in small amounts
- Rapid pulse
- Unconsciousness