The 'upper gastrointestinal bleeding', popularly known as stomach bleeding, is an important issue that risks human health and can lead to lethal consequences. This type of bleeding most commonly develops on the basis of stomach and small intestine ulcers (peptic ulcer). Other bleeding causes include varicose veins in the esophagus or stomach, vascular anomalies in the stomach, stomach polyps, esophagitis (lower end wounds of the esophagus), gastric cancer, especially in those with liver cirrhosis. Bleeding is more common in men than women and is mostly seen in advanced age. The average risk of death in ulcer bleeding is around 10%. In varicose bleeding, this rate can reach 30%.
Not every ulcer in the stomach bleeds. Bleeding occurs when the existing ulcer destroys the side wall of the vessel in the stomach. The most important factor facilitating ulcer bleeding is the use of painkillers and aspirin-derived drugs. Since there is an easier access environment for these drugs in modern societies, they are consumed very frequently and serious bleeding due to drugs develops. In one of my previous articles, I examined the subject of gastric ulcer in detail and reported that the most important expected risk of ulcer is bleeding. Patients present in different ways in gastric bleeding. Bloody vomit and black stools are the most common complaints. Sometimes blackening of stool alone should also be a warning to people. There is a state of shock manifested by severe dizziness and blurred consciousness in those who have had severe bleeding. Although the success of treatment is high in patients who develop bleeding, the conditions with higher risk can be summarized as follows: Being older than 65 years, developing shock due to blood loss, accompanying bleeding with additional important diseases such as heart, kidney, and lung diseases, large ulcers, uninterrupted continuation of bleeding. When a bleeding patient is encountered, he should be urgently transported to the hospital and taken for gastroenterological evaluation. When patients are hospitalized, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory support should be provided at the first stage. Blood group determination should be made for the patient and give blood when necessary. should know. After these preparations, endoscopy should be performed within the first 24 hours, the cause of bleeding should be found and treatment options should be changed accordingly.
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