Your small intestine helps to break down food as it passes through the digestive tract, but it can also sometimes be an area where bleeding develops. A bleed in your small intestine can lead to black or bloody stools, and it’s not an issue that should be ignored. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why a bleed may develop in your small intestine, and how Dr. Bhatti and his team can help treat a small bowel bleed.
Why Does A GI Bleed Occur In The Small Intestine?
Although the small intestine is not the most common area for a gastrointestinal bleed to occur, about five percent of all GI bleeds are housed in the small bowel. The most common reason for a bleed to develop in this region is due to the formation of an abnormal blood vessel, accounting for about 30-40% of all small bowel bleeds. Doctors don’t know exactly why these abnormal blood vessels form, but they can occur as a result of normal spasming of the GI tract during digestion, and age is also considered a risk factor.
Aside from abnormal blood vessel formation, other less common causes of small bowel bleeding include tumors, polyps, ulcers and as a complication of Crohn’s disease. Along with discolored stools, other symptoms that suggest you may be dealing with a bleeding issue in your GI tract include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Pale skin
- Dizziness
- Racing heartbeat
If you suspect that you’re dealing with a GI bleed, it’s important that you connect with a specialist or your primary care physician to determine the source of the bleed and the best way to treat it.
Diagnosing And Treating Small Intestine Bleeds
There are a number of different tests available to diagnose the source of a small bowel bleed. Depending on your needs and wishes, your doctor may use an endoscopy, enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy, x-ray imaging or a blood test to get a better idea of what you’re dealing with. Once the cause of the bleed has been pinpointed, your gastrointestinal specialist can walk you through some basic treatment options.
Treatment will obviously depend on the root cause of your bleed. If an abnormal blood vessel is contributing to the bleeding, doctors may be able to cauterize the bleed site during the endoscopy, preventing the need for additional surgery. Polyps may also be able to be removed with the help of an endoscope. For bigger blood vessel issues or benign or malignant tumors, a separate surgery may be required. The surgeon will either work to remove the growths or excise a small portion of the small intestine to ensure the issue is completely addressed.
Some causes of bleeding can be resolved without surgery. For bleeds that are caused as a result of Crohn’s disease or an ulcer, you may be able to address the problem with the help of certain medications. Pairing these medications with lifestyle and diet adjustments can oftentimes put an end to your small bowel bleed.
For more information about bleeding issues in the small intestine, or to talk to a care provider about a gastrointestinal issue you’re experiencing, reach out to Dr. Bhatti and the team at Bhatti GI Consultants today at (952) 368-3800.