What is upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

The digestive or gastrointestinal tract goes from the mouth to the anus. It is often called the GI tract.

Bleeding in the upper GI tract can happen anywhere from the esophagus to the first part of the small intestine. Sometimes it's caused by an ulcer in your stomach. Or it may be caused by blood vessels in your esophagus. Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach.

Light bleeding may not cause any symptoms at first. But if you continue to bleed for a while, you may feel very weak or tired.

Sudden, heavy bleeding means you need to see a doctor right away. This kind of bleeding can be very dangerous. But it can usually be cured or controlled. The doctor may do some tests to find the cause of your bleeding.

• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
• Do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines, such as naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), without talking to your doctor first. Ask your doctor if it is okay to use acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Do not drink alcohol.
• The bleeding may make you lose iron. So it's important to eat foods that have a lot of iron. These include red meat, shellfish, poultry, and eggs. They also include beans, raisins, whole-grain breads, and leafy green vegetables. If you want help planning meals, you can meet with a dietitian.