Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Introduction Bleeding from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may present in five ways. Hematemesis is vomitus of red blood or "coffee-grounds" material. Melena is black, tarry, foul-smelling stool. Hematochezia is the passage of bright red or maroon blood from the rectum. Occult GI bleeding (GIB) may be identified in the absence of overt bleeding by a fecal occult blood test or the presence of iron deficiency. Finally, patients may present only with symptoms of blood loss or anemia such as lightheadedness, syncope, angina, or dyspnea. Sources of Gastrointestinal BleedingUpper Gastrointestinal Sources of Bleeding .
