Gastrointestinal bleeding diagnosis

Mild to moderate iron-deficiency anaemia is treated by iron supplementation with ferrous sulphate or ferrous gluconate. Vitamin C can aid iron absorption. A diagnosis of iron deficiency may indicate other potential sources of iron loss, such as gastrointestinal bleeding from ulcers or colon cancer. 

Zuckerman, G.R., Prakash, C. Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Clinical presentation and diagnosis. Gastrointest. Endosc. 1998 48 606-617... 

Grace ND. Diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to portal hypertension [practice guidelines]. Am J Gastroenterol 1997 92 1082-1091. 

Vreeburg EM, Snel P, de Bruijne )W, et al. (1997) Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the Amsterdam area incidence, diagnosis, and clinical outcome. Am I Gastroenterol 92 236-243... 

Rosch J, Keller FS, Wawrukiewicz AS, et al. (1982) Pharmacoangiography in the diagnosis of recurrent massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Radiology 145 615-619... 

Spontaneous haemostasis Some 60-80% of all upper gastrointestinal haemorrhages cease spontaneously. Early diagnosis with simultaneous stabilization of the circulation facilitates such spontaneous haemostasis without further therapeutic measures being called for. In 10-15% of cases, the bleeding persists. 

Lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage shows a frequency of 10-15% some 3-5% develop in the small bowel. Intestinal bleeding as a result of liver disease is rare. The initial problem consists in the fact that (7.) numerous and different causes of bleeding must be clarified by differential diagnosis and (2.) severe blood loss together with a concurrent liver disease is always particularly hazardous. 

In children with gastrointestinal arteriovenous malformations, the angiographic examination confirms the diagnosis and the extent of the AVMs. Embolization is usually not recommended in small bowel and colonic lesions because of the risk of necrosis [32, 33]. Embolotherapy is sometimes considered preoperatively to lower the risk of operative bleeding. 

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