Collagen is an important protein that can be found throughout your body. In fact, it is found in all the connective tissues in your body ranging from your skin and bones, all the way down to your organs and blood vessels. Collagen functions several different ways in your body.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (sometimes upper GI, UGI bleed, Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, gastrorrhagia) is gastrointestinal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, commonly defined as bleeding arising from the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Blood may be observed in vomit (hematemesis) or in altered form in the stool (melena).
or without stool. The source often is the lower GI tract but brisk UGI bleeding can cause hematochezia too. Occult bleeding: Bleeding not apparent to the patient. Usually detected on stool guiac. Obscure bleeding: Source of bleeding is difficult to pin point on routine endoscopic examination. (continued on page 19) Table 2 Causes of UGIB in the elderly