Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Treatment Options

Treatment will depend on the source of the bleeding. More common sources of obscure GI bleeding include:

• Small bowel lesions such as angiodysplasias (small vascular abnormalities)
• Small bowel growths such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyomas, adenomatous polyps, adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, or metastatic tumors
• Ulcers from NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) use or from Crohn's disease

Wire loop removes polyps during colonoscopy procedure.

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Some lesions and tumors may be treated by burning the abnormal tissue (cauterization) or using an endoscope to "snare" and cut off the tissue during the diagnostic procedure that finds the problem. Others may require separate treatment.

If the source for the bleeding can't be found, doctors may prescribe an iron supplement to replace iron lost with slow bleeding. In severe cases, transfusions may be necessary.