There are many disorders that may cause someone to suffer form a gastrointestinal Bleed. Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can occur either form the upper or lower intestinal tract. Upper gastrointestinal bleeds occur in one of the following areas; esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Lower gastrointestinal bleeds occur below the ligament of Triez, jejunum, ileum, colon or rectum. There are many causes that can contribute to a gastrointestinal bleed. Some causes of upper GI bleed include; ulcers, gastric varices, or Mallory-Weiss tear. Some causes of lower GI bleed include polyps, inflammatory disease, hemorrhoids, and cancer.
When there is an accumulation of blood (1000ml) in the GI tract, irritation and peristalsis occurs, causing diarrhea. (McCance &Huether, 2006). This then results in blood volume depletion. When there is a volume deficit, there will be a decrease in cardiac out put. One can expect to see a decrease in systolic blood pressure and increase in heart rate. Because of this, constrictions of peripheral arteries occur. This contributes to a decrease in coronary blood flow and can lead to MI, pulmonary edema, heat failure or arrhythmias. There is also a decrease of blood flow to the skin and to the kidneys. With a decrease of blood flow to the kidneys, there will be decrease in urine out put. This can lead to necrosis which then can lead to renal failure. Metabolic acidosis also can occur due to the decreased blood flow to the kidneys and death can occur if left untreated. When metabolic acidosis is present, there will be a decrease of blood flow to the GI tract. This decrease in blood flow causes abdominal pain and can lead to bowel infarction or liver necrosis.
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