GI haemorrhage

Question 1

Common causes of upper GI haemorrhage (GI but not from intestines and below)

Answer 1

-stomach ulcers
-oesophageal varices (veins enlarge in oesophagus usually due to liver disease and blockage in portal vein)
-gastritis
-oesophagitis
-mallory-weiss tears (lower oesophagus from coughing/ vomiting)
-caustic poison
-tumour

Question 2

Risk factors of upper GI bleeding

Answer 2

-over 65
-aspirin
-NSAIDs
-corticosteroids
-anticoagulants
-alcohol
-smoking

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of upper GI haemorrhage

Answer 3

-haematemesis- blood in vomit (coffee ground or fresh appearance)
-melaena- digested blood in stool, black, tarry, sticky, smelly

Question 4

Common causes lower GI haemorrhage

Answer 4

-diverticular disease-
-inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)- rare
-haemorrhoids
-tumour
Less likely to have haemodynamic compromise

Question 5

Risk factors of lower GI haemorrhage

Answer 5

-male
-aspirin/ NSAID
-older age

Question 6

Management GI haemorrhage

Answer 6

-if any time critical things present convey: major CABCD problems or large volume of bright red blood
1. correct CABCD
2. time critical transfer
3. continue patient management on route
-provide ATMIST