It is a bleeding in the upper part of the digestive track, which goes from the esophagus to the first portion of the small intestine (duodenum).
The most common causes are gastric or duodenal ulcers.
It manifests with vomit of blood and/or stool with tar-colored stool and paste-like consistency. It may be accompanied by skin pallor, tachycardia, low blood pressure, and a strong feeling of fatigue.
It is diagnosed by means of a complete clinical history, physical examination, blood tests and a digestive endoscopy.
The first goal of the treatment is stabilizing the blood pressure by administering blood transfusion and/or saline. Any alteration of the components of blood coagulation must be corrected. If the resolution of the bleed is slow, an endoscopy should be performed to treat the site of bleeding directly.
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