U.S. Pharmacist    Gastrointestinal Bleeding: An Alarming Sign
Manouchehr Saljoughian, PharmD, PhD Department of Pharmacy
Services Alta Bates Summit Medical Center  Berkeley, California
US Pharm . 2009;34(12):HS12-HS16.   Gastrointestinal (GI)
bleeding can originate anywhere from the pharynx to the rectum
and can be occult or overt. It differs from internal bleeding,
where blood leaks from the blood vessels in such a way that the
bleeding cannot be seen outside of the body. GI bleeding has a
variety of causes, and a review of patient medical history and a
physical examination can distinguish between the macroscopic and
microscopic forms. The manifestations depend on the location and
rate of bleeding, from nearly undetectable to acute and life-
threatening. Upper endoscopy or colonoscopy are generally
considered the best methods to identify the source of
bleeding.1   History of present illness should be reviewed to
ascertain quantity and frequency of blood passage. However,
quantity can be difficult to asses