When you're experiencing any sort of bleeding from the duodenum, it's actually a sign of a problem within the upper region of your small intestines. Ulcers are by far the biggest culprit for this localized bleeding, but it may also be a result of an irritable bowel disease or intestinal cancer. For most people who suffer bleeding in the duodenum, they'll often share the same symptoms, but the methods of treatment are usually dictated by the cause.
Symptoms
Of all the symptoms of bleeding from the duodenum, blood in the stool is probably the most common. But since the bleeding is located within the upper region of the small intestines, your stool will often appear darker than normal, seeming almost "tarry" in color. This may be accompanied by some nausea and vomiting. However, if this bleeding is more severe, you can begin to feel dizzy, short of breath and even weak or faint. Cramping is also quite common, but you can suffer from diarrhea and exhaustion as well.
Diagnosis
To ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, your doctor will first need to locate the source of the blood. Most of the time, the diagnosis will entail a procedure known as an endoscopy, which is the use of tube that is fed through your digestive tract that allows your doctor to discern the exact location of the problem. It is typically then followed by other tests to determine your overall health.
Ulcers
If your doctor finds that an ulcer has formed along the duodenum, it is most likely due to the use (if not overuse) of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin or an infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. This not only leads to these open sores within the small intestines but also inflammation of the stomach and increases your chances of stomach cancer. To treat ulcers, the bleeding must first be controlled, usually through cauterization of the sore. If the H. pylori bacterium is present, an antibiotic medication is given to rid the body of this pathogen.
Irritable Bowel Disease
With irritable bowel disease causing bleeding of the duodenum, the bleeding is actually due to the inflammation of the digestive tract. This too is treated medicinally through prescription drugs, and you may also need to change your dietary habits, especially in the short-term, to ensure that the area heals properly.
Intestinal Cancer
While cancer within the small intestines isn't as prevalent as other forms of cancer, the bleeding within the duodenum may be a result of a malignant lesion. In this situation, standard cancer treatments are necessary to remedy not just the bleeding but also the disease itself. This would include surgical procedures to remove the cancerous tissue as well as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, depending on the stage and severity of the condition.
