Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding

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• QAre there alternative treatments for lower GI bleeding?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  There are no alternative treatments for GI bleeding. GI bleeding must be treated swiftly and promptly with the best and proven treatments. There may be some alternative treatments for the condition causing GI bleeding but that will also vary depending on the condition.

• QCan lower GI bleeding be prevented?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is part of a bigger problem, so to avoid lower GI bleeding, you need to prevent or manage any existing colon issues or diseases you may have. Conditions like diverticulosis and inflammatory bowel disease may become exacerbated and cause lower GI bleeding. Polyps in the colon could cause bleeding, as can several other conditions. Medications such as blood thinners or anti-inflammatory drugs that you are taking for other conditions could lead to an episode of lower GI bleeding. Smoking and alcohol are common triggers. Proper exercise and a good diet with lots of fiber can help prevent lower GI bleeding from hemorrhoids or diverticular disease. Talk to your doctor about maintaining good colon health, take your medications as directed, follow advice about diet and exercise, and stay in touch with your doctor about any actions available to you to prevent the conditions that may cause lower GI bleeding.
• QWhat is lower GI bleeding?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in not actually a disease, but it is usually an indicator of another, possibly more serious, problem. Lower GI bleeding can originate anywhere in your digestive tract from the lower part of your small intestine and all the way down to the anus. Small amounts of bleeding can go unnoticed if it is minor. The reason for lower GI bleeding needs to be diagnosed so the bleeding and the cause can be treated.

• QWhat causes lower GI bleeding?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  GI  bleeding is caused by a variety of underlying conditions that vary depending   on where the bleeding is coming from. In the  lower GI tract causes of bleeding include arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), a tumor, colon cancer, ulcers, polyps, colitis, diverticula, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and hemorrhoids.

• QWhat are the symptoms of lower GI bleeding?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  The symptoms of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding actually indicate another condition. A change in the color and texture of your stool could indicate that you are passing blood from your lower intestine. The stool may appear to have blood in or on it or have a tar-like appearance. Some minor lower GI bleeding may not be obvious, however. You might feel a little tired or weak and even be dizzy. If you lose a little blood over an extended time from undiagnosed lower GI bleeding, you may become anemic. Extreme lower GI bleeding could cause cramps and abdominal pain, a drop in blood pressure, and difficulty breathing.

• QHow does lower GI bleeding affect the body?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding affects the body by acting as a symptom of another problem. Lower GI bleeding itself is painless, but continued bleeding without treatment could take its toll on the body, causing anemia. A sudden loss of blood due to lower GI bleeding can make it difficult to urinate and could cause issues with breathing and blood pressure. Lower GI bleeding, left untreated, could be life threatening.

• QWhat are the treatment options for lower GI bleeding?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Since lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is usually a symptom of another problem, you have to treat not only the bleeding, but also its cause. Once a doctor has diagnosed where in the lower GI tract the bleeding is occurring, they can decide on a proper course of treatment. Some treatment can be handled in the course of a colonoscopy: a bleeding vessel can be cauterized or the affected area can be treated with medication or even lasers. Surgery would be a possibility if the bleeding cannot be treated more conservatively. Continued, appropriate treatment for some of the diseases and conditions that may cause lower GI bleeding is another option for controlling the potential bleeding.

• QHow do I manage my lower GI bleeding on a daily basis?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  It's really not possible to manage lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding on a daily basis. If you are bleeding, you should see a doctor to determine why. Once you know what the root problem is behind your lower GI bleeding, then you create a daily plan to manage that condition or disease to ensure that your incidences of lower GI bleeding stop. What's important is that you don't ignore the signs of lower GI bleeding and try to handle it yourself. Working with your doctor or another health professional is the best way to treat lower GI bleeding and its cause.

• QIs there a cure for lower GI bleeding?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding can be treated and controlled, but there is no cure for the bleeding itself. Since it is a sign of another illness or condition, usually affecting the GI tract, lower GI bleeding must be treated each time it transpires. It is possible, however, to cure some of the conditions that may be causing the bleeding. For example, an ulcer may be surgically corrected, or bleeding polyps may be removed.

• QIs lower GI bleeding serious?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding can be very serious. While the blood you see could merely be minor case of hemorrhoids, lower GI bleeding could be an indicator of something as serious as colon cancer. Any bleeding or change that you notice in your stool should be reported to your doctor, particularly when there are large amounts of bright red blood on or mixed into the stool or if the texture has begun to look dark and tarlike. The location and cause of any lower GI bleeding needs to be diagnosed to determine what the underlying problem is.