Causes of Bleeding in the Digestive Tract
Topic Overview
Causes of bleeding in the stomach and intestines (digestive tract) include:
- Regular use of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as
aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can irritate the stomach lining and cause an ulcer.
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Colon
polyps or
colorectal cancer, especially in older adults. It is
important to identify and treat these as early as possible, because they may be
life-threatening.
- Frequently occurring
hemorrhoids. People with hemorrhoids often do not seek
treatment right away, resulting in chronic bleeding.
- Esophagitis, which is irritation or inflammation of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach).
- Hookworm and other
parasites. These parasites feed upon blood from the
intestinal wall. Significant blood loss can result if
they are left untreated.
- Long-distance running (runner's
anemia). People who regularly run long distances often
have some type of bleeding in the digestive tract.
References
Other Works Consulted
- Means RT (2012). Red blood cell function and disorders of iron metabolism. In EG Nabel, ed., ACP Medicine, section 15, chap. 21. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology |
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| Last Revised | April 8, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
April 8, 2011
