Angiodysplasia is a condition in which small, fragile blood vessels develop abnormally in the digestive tract-most often in the colon, but sometimes in the small intestine or jejunum. These vessels can intermittently leak or bleed, leading to iron?deficiency anemia or more serious bleeding episodes. Diagnosis is typically made via colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, or imaging studies.
Early on, angiodysplasia may cause few or no symptoms. When bleeding occurs, you might notice:
Although the precise cause of angiodysplasia remains unclear, several factors appear to raise the risk:
Don't wait to address GI bleeding or iron-deficiency symptoms. At GastroDoxs in Katy, our angiodysplasia specialist offers advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment plans to stop bleeding and restore your health. Call us at 832-632-4070 or schedule online to secure your visit and take the first step toward relief.
We've successfully treated more than 487 patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Angiodysplasia is a condition characterized by fragile, dilated blood vessels in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract that can leak or bleed.
Diagnosis typically involves endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopy or upper endoscopy, and in some cases capsule endoscopy to visualize bleeding sites.
Symptoms may include black or tarry stools (melena), bright red blood in the stool (hematochezia), fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and unexplained anemia.
Yes. In some patients, bleeding can be significant and require urgent intervention, blood transfusions, or endoscopic therapy to stop the bleeding.
The ICD-10 code for angiodysplasia of the stomach and duodenum with bleeding is K31.82. Other related codes include K31.81 (stomach only) and K31.83 (small intestine).
Yes. Some people have angiodysplasia that is discovered incidentally during routine endoscopic examinations without any noticeable symptoms.
Treatment depends on the severity and frequency of bleeding. Asymptomatic cases may simply be monitored, while active or recurrent bleeding often requires endoscopic therapy or other interventions.
Recurrence is possible. Regular follow-up and monitoring are important to detect and treat any new or ongoing bleeding episodes promptly.
Our team at GastroDoxs in Katy specializes in diagnosing and treating angiodysplasia, offering advanced endoscopic therapies and personalized care plans.
You should schedule an appointment if you experience unexplained anemia, blood in your stool, persistent fatigue, or any signs of gastrointestinal bleeding.
