Can you please explain to me in plain English what an "upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage" is? Can a person die from this? Is it painful? What could cause it?

Lori

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage refers to bleeding (hemorrhage) that arises in the lining of the esophagus, stomach or upper part of the small intestine (which together are called the upper gastrointestinal tract, or upper GI). If the bleeding is slow and gradual, it may not be noticed until someone becomes tired and is tested for anemia, which often is related to chronic blood loss. However, the blood loss sometimes involves large amounts of blood over a short period of time. In these acute cases, the patient may vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, which is actually blood that has been degraded by stomach acid. Blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract can also travel down the bowels and emerge as a tarry, black stool.

Upper GI bleeding can lead to serious difficulties, especially if the bleeding is heavy or cannot be stopped. This is especially true in elderly people, who may develop heart problems related to the severe blood loss. Younger people usually do better, but a massive GI bleed can still lead to low blood pressure and shock if not treated quickly and appropriately.

There are many causes of upper GI bleeding, of which the most common is ulcers. Bleeding occurs when the ulcer erodes through the digestive lining and into a small artery. Other causes include abnormal veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices), which most often develop due to liver disease, and cirrhosis.