Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common problem and yet sometimes difficult to manage. It could be occult or overt, and may start in any part of the gut. The source of bleeding could be in upper (UGIB) or lower (LGIB) or less likely the small bowel (MGIB); which can become obscure and difficult to find the source. In the past few decades, many drugs has become available for acid suppression and thus prevention of bleeding and at the same time patient especially the elders use ulcerogenic drugs such as analgesics, NSAIDs, SSRIs and different anticoagulants for their accompanying illness which makes the treatment decisions precarious. Most bleeders stop spontaneously and only 15% need urgent resuscitation and intensive treatment of these only 5% need surgical intervention; which are usually the aged with severe comorbidties.