Lower GastroIntestinal Bleeding

Definition: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding occurs when
there is bleeding in the colon (large intestine) all the
way down to the anus.

Causes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding include colitis,
polyps, parasites, tumors, space occupying lesion erosion,
diarrhea, sprue, foreign bodies, hemmorrhoids, anal
fissures, and a few other disease processes.

Therapy: Usually, the physician will get a hemoglobin level
to determine how much blood the patient has.  If the
patient has lost a lot of blood, then they will recommend
hospitalization to determine the cause as soon as possible. 
If very little to no blood appears to be lost, then it is
more common to try to discover the cause through outpatient
workups.

A number of tests can be utilized such as barium enema
xrays, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and others.  These tests
will give a morphological evaluation of the lower gi tract.

Blood tests may help to determine physiological disorders.

Some medicines may be recommended.

If problems: Problems occur from becoming anemic from
losing blood.  If symptoms such as tachycardia,
vertigo, dizzyness, light headedness become continuous,
seek medical attention as soon as possible.