What is Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Upper GI bleeding originates in the first part of the GI tract -- the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum (first part of the intestine). Bleeding can come from ingestion of caustic poisons or stomach cancer. The most common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding are peptic ulcers and ruptured esophageal varices. In order to qualify a claimant must have recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding from an unidentified source with anemia brought about by a hematocrit of 30% or less, showing on several examinations.