Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract is a problem that confronts all physicians involved in primary patient care. It continues as one of the most common acute medical management problems, leads to substantial morbidity and mortality, and presents both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to the physician. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and to discuss initial assessment, diagnosis, management, and, where possible, prevention.