Hematemesis (patient information)

Jump to navigation Jump to search

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

WikiDoc Resources for Hematemesis (patient information)

Articles

Most recent articles on Hematemesis (patient information)

Most cited articles on Hematemesis (patient information)

Review articles on Hematemesis (patient information)

Articles on Hematemesis (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Hematemesis (patient information)

Images of Hematemesis (patient information)

Photos of Hematemesis (patient information)

Podcasts & MP3s on Hematemesis (patient information)

Videos on Hematemesis (patient information)

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Hematemesis (patient information)

Bandolier on Hematemesis (patient information)

TRIP on Hematemesis (patient information)

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Hematemesis (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Hematemesis (patient information)

Clinical Trials on Hematemesis (patient information) at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Hematemesis (patient information)

NICE Guidance on Hematemesis (patient information)

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Hematemesis (patient information)

CDC on Hematemesis (patient information)

Books

Books on Hematemesis (patient information)

News

Hematemesis (patient information) in the news

Be alerted to news on Hematemesis (patient information)

News trends on Hematemesis (patient information)

Commentary

Blogs on Hematemesis (patient information)

Definitions

Definitions of Hematemesis (patient information)

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Hematemesis (patient information)

Discussion groups on Hematemesis (patient information)

Patient Handouts on Hematemesis (patient information)

Directions to Hospitals Treating Hematemesis (patient information)

Risk calculators and risk factors for Hematemesis (patient information)

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Hematemesis (patient information)

Causes & Risk Factors for Hematemesis (patient information)

Diagnostic studies for Hematemesis (patient information)

Treatment of Hematemesis (patient information)

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Hematemesis (patient information)

International

Hematemesis (patient information) en Espanol

Hematemesis (patient information) en Francais

Business

Hematemesis (patient information) in the Marketplace

Patents on Hematemesis (patient information)

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Hematemesis (patient information)

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

What is hematemesis?

Hematemesis is a regurgitation of blood through the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The upper GI tract includes the stomach, mouth, throat, esophagus, and the first part of the small intestine. The causes of hematemesis include the inflammation, uncler, cancer and varices caused by cirrhosis in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The accompany symptoms include nausea, weakness and fatigue, sweat, even abdominal pain and shock.

Who is at risk for hematemesis?

How to know the cause of your hematemesis?

  • Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistries, blood clotting tests, and liver function tests, are used to assess the condition of the patient.
  • Chest radiographs: These images should be ordered to exclude aspiration pneumonia, effusion, and esophageal perforation.
  • CT scan and ultrasonography may be indicated to evaluate liver disease with cirrhosis, cholecystitis with hemorrhage, pancreatitis with pseudocyst and hemorrhage, aortoenteric fistula, and other unusual causes of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
  • Endoscopy and biopsy: This test can be used to indicate the diseases in esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Also, the doctor can stanch bleeding through the tube. If abnormal areas are noted, tissue samples can be obtained through the endoscope. The tissue samples will be checked by pathologists to identify the cause of bleeding.
  • Angiography may be useful if bleeding persists and endoscopy fails to identify a bleeding site. As salvage therapy, embolization of the bleeding vessel can be as successful as emergent surgery in patients who have failed a second attempt of endoscopic therapy.
  • Nuclear medicine scans may be useful to determine the area of active hemorrhage.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your doctor or go to the emergency room if hematemesis occurs. This condition needs immediate medical evaluation.

Treatment options

Treatment of hematesis depends on the underlying cause. The goal of medical therapy is to correct shock and coagulation abnormalities and to stabilize the patient so that further evaluation and treatment can proceed.

  • Stop diet, stabilize the patient with intravenous fluids, and transfuse to maintain a hemoglobin level of 8-10 g/dl, if necessary. Promptly correct any abnormalities in coagulation.
  • Intravenous PPIs are the ideal pharmacologic therapy for patients with acute ulcer bleeding and rebleeding.
  • Upper endoscopy can be used to treaat the active bleeding sites because it allows visualization of the entire mucosal surface of the esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum.
  • Surgery or angiographic therapy is needed to patients who seem unstable or bleeding continues after initial resuscitation.

Diseases with similar symptoms

Where to find medical care for hematemesis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating hematemesis

Prevention of hematemesis

Treatment of underlying disease is the best way to prevent hematemsis.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The prognosis of hematemesis depends on:

  • The underlying cause of hematemsis
  • The rate and extent of hemorrhage
  • Patient's general status

Copyleft Sources

http://www.endonurse.com/articles/07augconted.html

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/187857-overview

http://www.doctorslounge.com/gastroenterology/diagnosis/gitbleed/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003118.htm

Template:WH Template:WS