What symptom is commonly associated with gastrointestinal bleeding?

Bloody stools are a common symptom of gastrointestinal bleeding because they directly indicate that there is bleeding occurring in the digestive tract. When bleeding happens, it can lead to the presence of blood in the stool, which may be bright red (indicative of lower gastrointestinal bleeding) or dark and tarry (indicative of upper gastrointestinal bleeding). This symptom is significant in clinical settings, as it can help healthcare providers identify the potential cause of the bleeding and determine the appropriate course of action for diagnosis and treatment.

In contrast, eye pain, joint pain, and rash are not typically associated with gastrointestinal bleeding. Each of these symptoms points to different types of medical conditions that do not relate directly to issues in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the presence of bloody stools serves as a crucial indicator that warrants further investigation into possible sources of the bleeding within the gastrointestinal system.