Bleeding stomach ulcer can be due to acid in the stomach which causes inflammation and leads to the bleeding of the lower end of the esophagus or what is called as esophagitis. When a muscle between the esophagus and the stomach does not close properly and the food and stomach juices are allowed to return to the esophagus, this may cause esophagitis. Varices or enlarged veins at the lower end of the esophagus may rupture and bleed heavily. The most common cause of varices is cirrhosis of the liver. Bleeding stomach ulcer is also usually due to an infection caused by a bacterium called H. pylori or using drugs such as NSAIDs or aspirin is another cause.
Blood that appears bright red in the large intestine and rectum can be caused by hemorrhoids which are enlarged veins in the area of the anal that rupture and produce bright red blood. Polyps can cause bleeding stomach ulcer. There may be benign growths or polyps of the colon that are thought as the beginning of cancer that can cause bright red blood or occult bleeding.
Diarrhea accompanied with blood and inflammation and extensive surface bleeding can also be due to ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Heavy bleeding can also be caused by diverticular disease which is the outpouchings of the colon wall. Recurrent bleeding may also happen due to age of a person because abnormalities can develop in the blood vessels of the large intestine as one gets older.
The location of the bleeding must be determined. It is important for the patient to undergo complete history and physical examination. Symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, the stool color turning black or red, and the presence of tenderness may help the doctor locate the area in the GI tract that is infected. However, taking some foods and supplement like iron, bismuth (Pepto Bismul) and beets can give the stool the same appearance. The physician must conduct a test of the stool for blood before making a diagnosis. The patient can also undergo a blood count to determine the extent of the bleeding and how chronic it may be. Bleeding stomach ulcer is a condition that can be diagnosed using several techniques and procedures.