Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage) refers to bleeding caused by disease in the digestive tract above the ligament of Treitz, including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, or biliary tract. Bleeding from jejunal lesions after gastrojejunostomy is also included. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “hematemesis” and “blood in the stool.”

TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Acute onset with substantial bleeding; tarry or dark red stools; coffee-ground or bright red vomit; dry, bitter mouth; preference for cold drinks; red tongue with a yellow or thick, greasy coating; slippery, rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • Sudden onset with substantial bleeding
  • Stools are tarry black or dark red
  • Vomit appears coffee-colored or contains bright red blood
  • Dry mouth, often with a bitter taste
  • Preference for cold drinks
  • Red tongue with a yellow or thick, greasy coating
  • A slippery, rapid pulse, which in TCM terms may indicate pronounced internal heat and blood leaving the vessels

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Clear heat and drain fire; cool the blood and stop bleeding.

In plain language:

  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to clear internal heat and excess fire, reducing internal heat and quelling the fire.
  • It aims to cool the blood and help stop bleeding.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the packaging and product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Longstanding history with recurrent bleeding and gradual onset; predominantly black stools; fatigue and lack of energy, palpitations and shortness of breath, pale complexion, pale tongue with a thin white coating, weak or deep, thready pulse.

In plain language:

  • A prolonged course with recurrent episodes of bleeding
  • Gradual onset, with black stools as the main presentation
  • Fatigue and lack of energy
  • Frequent palpitations and shortness of breath
  • Pale complexion
  • Pale tongue with a thin white coating
  • A weak or deep, thready pulse, which in TCM terms may indicate qi and blood deficiency

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Tonify qi and contain blood.

In plain language:

  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to replenish qi so it can better support and contain the blood, helping to reduce bleeding.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the packaging and product insert, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

Gui Pi Tang

References

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  3. Editorial Boards of the Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, Chinese Journal of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding[J]. Chinese Journal of Digestion, 2009, 2(10): 682-685.
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