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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by peptic ulcers, gastric erosions, esophageal varices, and rarer causes such as gastric cancer. The initial assessment includes measurement of the blood pressure and heart rate , as well as blood tests to determine the hemoglobin .
About half of cases are due to peptic ulcer disease (gastric or duodenal ulcers). [3] Esophageal inflammation and erosive disease are the next most common causes. [3] In those with liver cirrhosis, 50–60% of bleeding is due to esophageal varices. [3] Approximately half of those with peptic ulcers have an H. pylori infection. [3]
Primary vascular causes of bowel infarction, also known as mesenteric ischemia, are due to blockages in the arteries or veins that supply the bowel.Types of mesenteric ischemia are generally separated into acute and chronic processes, because this helps determine treatment and prognosis.
The mechanism of development of Cushing ulcers is thought to be due to direct stimulation of vagal nuclei as a result of increased intracranial pressure.Brain tumors, traumatic head injury, and other intracranial processes including infections, can cause increased intracranial pressure and lead to overstimulation of the vagus nerve. [3]
Melena is a form of blood in stool which refers to the dark black, tarry feces that are commonly associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. [1] The black color and characteristic strong odor are caused by hemoglobin in the blood being altered by digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria.
Physiological (not psychological) stress due to serious health problems, such as those requiring treatment in an intensive care unit, is well described as a cause of peptic ulcers, which are also known as stress ulcers. [3] While chronic life stress was once believed to be the main cause of ulcers, this is no longer the case. [27]
Peptic ulcers are most commonly caused by exposure to a particular type of bacteria or by the regular use of a class of common pa i nkillers, which includes ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen.
Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a rare benign disease characterized by symptoms, clinical findings, and histological abnormalities. [9] Only 40% of patients have ulcers; 20% of patients have a single ulcer, and the remaining lesions range in size and form from broad-based polypoid to hyperemic mucosa. [10]