Gastrointestinal bleeding can range from barely detectable bleeding to massive bleeding. This is why you shouldn’t ignore it if you notice you’ve got symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding – you should contact a doctor at once! However, besides the treatment recommended by your doctor, you can also try to treat this problem with the help of natural remedies for gastrointestinal bleeding!
About Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Gastrointestinal bleeding (also called gastrointestinal hemorrhage) refers to any form of hemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract. The bleeding can range from microscopic bleeding (it can be detected only through laboratory testing) to massive, life-threatening bleeding.
There are two types of gastrointestinal bleeding. The upper gastrointestinal bleeding includes the upper gastrointestinal tract (the esophagus, the stomach, and the first part of the small intestine). The lower gastrointestinal bleeding includes the lower tract (most of the small intestine, the large intestine, the rectum, and the anus). Other forms of gastrointestinal bleeding include dark stools; small amounts of blood found in the toilet bowl, on the toilet paper, or on the stool; vomiting blood.
Gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by various factors, some of them even quite serious. Common causes include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, infections, adverse effects of medications, and vascular and blood clotting disorders. A rather serious cause can be cancer: colon cancer, small intestine cancer, or stomach cancer; intestinal polyps can also lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. Other less common causes include esophagitis, gastric ulcer, Mallory-Weiss tear, Meckel’s diverticulum, and radiation injury to the bowel.
Symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding depend on three things: the cause of the bleeding, where the bleeding is, and how much blood you’re losing. You might have no symptoms if you’re losing only very little blood. The more blood you lose though, you’ll start getting some symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. You might also find blood in the vomit and stool. If you’re losing too much blood, you’ll start feeling chest pain, dizziness, and tiredness; also, your skin will turn pale and sweaty and your mouth will become dry.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Gastrointestinal bleeding is often diagnosed through observing the blood in the stool and/or vomiting, along with a fecal occult blood test. To determine how severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding is, doctors often use the Blatchford score or Rockall score; there is no scoring system available for lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Furthermore, a gastric aspiration can be done to determine if there is blood in the stomach; this involves inserting a tube into the stomach through the nose. A CT angiography can be done to determine the exact location of the bleeding. Also, there are various options when it comes to testing the blood: hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, electrolytes, cross-matching blood, and coagulation time.
Severe gastrointestinal bleeding needs to be treated by a doctor. There are several possibilities when it comes to treating gastrointestinal bleeding, though the right one is chosen based on the source of the bleeding. The doctor can choose to either do an endoscopy or a colonoscopy, as both are known to stop the bleeding. Thermal techniques are also an option, for instance, radiofrequency ablation. Your doctor might also recommend medication to stop the bleeding and blood transfusion if you’ve lost a lot of blood. If the bleeding reoccurs, you might need surgery.
Natural Remedies for Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Gastrointestinal bleeding is a serious health problem and, if severe, it can even be life-threatening. In most cases, it is recommended to have a proper check-up when you notice the symptoms. However, if it is not severe, you can add some natural remedies for gastrointestinal bleeding to the treatment recommended by your doctor.
There are various herbs that are known to help treat gastrointestinal problems; they might prove to be useful when it comes to treating gastrointestinal bleeding, as well. The herbs recommended in this case include angelica, caraway, cinnamon (it is considered the most beneficial on the list), chamomile, fennel, ginger, juniper, and peppermint. The easiest way to consume them is by preparing an infusion.
If you’ve got gastrointestinal bleeding, it is important to remember that you need to stay hydrated. Of course, tea is a great solution. However, remember that you need to drink a lot of water, as well. Also, you can drink diluted apple juice or pear juice.
Aloe vera juice can also help with gastrointestinal bleeding. It is known to soothe intestinal inflammation and it also has anti-viral properties. However, remember that the juice must be clear and it shouldn’t taste bitter, but more like distilled water. Also, look for aloe vera juice that doesn’t contain aloin (a laxative component), additives, and preservatives.
You should also make some changes to your diet. It’s important to eat small and frequent meals: go for 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals. Also, eat a bland diet: include bread, crackers, noodles, cereals, wheat, rice, potatoes (mashed or boiled), bananas, and yogurt. Avoid spicy food, oily food, and fast food.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Generally, there are no side effects caused by natural remedies for gastrointestinal bleeding. However, make sure you let your doctor know if you’re trying any of these, especially if you’re taking any medication. Also, watch out for allergic reactions; common symptoms include skin rashes, swelling of the lips and tongue, and difficulty in breathing.
Also, if you’ve got gastrointestinal bleeding, you should stop smoking and avoid alcohol, caffeine, particular types of food that aren’t easily digested (fried food, oily food, spicy food), sugar substitutes, and concentrated fruit juices. You should also be careful with the medication you’re taking; don’t take aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Last, remember that you should take the prescribed medications just as the doctor recommended. Don’t skip any doses, as they won’t be as effective anymore.
