Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding is bleeding that is usually slow, and can either continue for a long time or start and stop in a short period of time.
The symptoms of chronic GI bleeding depend on where in the digestive tract the bleeding is occurring. Chronic bleeding in the GI tract may not be easily detected as acute GI tract bleeding because the signs of it are less obvious. It is important that you seek medical attention whenever you either see signs of GI bleeding, or show the symptoms of a GI bleed.
Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding can cause anemia in the patient. It is therefore important to know the symptoms of anemia. Those symptoms include:
- Fatigue, loss of energy
- Weakness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath, especially when exercising
- Difficulty concentrating
- Palpitations (feeling of the heart racing beating irregularly
- Chest pain
- Cold hands and feet
- Headache
Your doctor can order lab tests for anemia. The next steps would be to order an colonoscopy and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy to locate the source of the bleeding.
Sources:
"Ulcers and Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Protecting Your Health." American College of Gastroenterology. 18 Oct 2007.
"Bleeding in the Digestive Tract." NIH Publication No. 07–1133 November 2004. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 18 Oct 2007.
