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Causes of Bleeding in the Digestive Tract - Topic Overview

Causes of bleeding in the stomach and intestines (digestive tract) include:

Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can irritate the stomach lining and cause an ulcer.
Inflammatory bowel disease.
Colon polyps or colorectal cancer, especially in older adults. It is important to identify and treat these as early as possible, because they may be life-threatening.
Frequently occurring hemorrhoids. People with hemorrhoids often do not seek treatment right away, resulting in chronic bleeding.
Esophagitis, which is irritation or inflammation of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach).
Hookworm and other parasites. These parasites feed upon blood from the intestinal wall . Significant blood loss can result if they are left untreated.
Long-distance running (runner's anemia). People who regularly run long distances often have some type of bleeding in the digestive tract.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 08, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.