Symptom

Vomiting Blood

Overview | Possible Causes | Care and Treatment | HOME REMEDies | When to Call the Doctor | References

Vomiting blood

Overview

Vomiting blood (hematemesis) refers to significant amounts of blood in your vomit. Small streaks or flecks of blood in material you spit up may come from the teeth, mouth or throat and isn't usually considered vomiting blood. Blood in vomit may be bright red, or it may appear black or dark brown like coffee grounds.

Swallowed blood, as from a nosebleed or forceful coughing, may cause bloody vomit, but truly vomiting blood usually represents something more serious and requires immediate medical attention. Bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine) from peptic (stomach or duodenal) ulcers or torn blood vessels is a common cause of vomiting blood.

Possible Causes

Blood that is vomited usually comes from what is referred to as the upper GI, or gastrointestinal, tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). Pancreatic problems can also be the source of blood vomiting.

There are several causes of vomiting blood. Most of them are very serious and require immediate medical attention.

Causes can include:

A tear (called a Mallory-Weiss tear) in the lining of the esophagus, caused by excessive vomiting
Swollen veins (varices) in the lower part of the esophagus and stomach. This often happens in people with severe liver damage, including people with long-term alcoholism.
A bleeding stomach or duodenal ulcer
Irritation or swelling of the esophagus, called esophagitis
A benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous tumor in the stomach or esophagus
A severe injury to the abdominal area, as caused by a car accident or blow to the abdomen
An inflammation of the stomach, called gastritis
Taking too much aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines
A condition called Dieulafoy's lesion that affects an artery in the stomach wall
Inflammation of the small intestine, called duodenitis
Pancreatic cancer

Care & Treatment

If you are vomiting blood your medical team will first try to stabilize any low blood pressure, breathing problems or other complications of excessive blood loss. You may require a blood transfusion, breathing assistance and medication for your blood pressure or to lower stomach acid levels. You may also require IV (given through the veins) fluids, and possibly surgery.

Once a patient is stable, the cause of vomiting blood will be addressed. To determine the cause, several tests may be performed. These include:

Blood tests to do complete blood count, check blood chemistry and clotting function
Liver function tests
X-rays
A nuclear medicine scan to look for any active bleeding in the GI tract
A rectal examination
Inserting a tube through the nose down to the stomach to check for the cause of blood loss
A test called a esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to look for sources of bleeding in the upper GI tract

Once the cause of vomiting blood is determined, your physician will determine the best treatment plan that will address both your symptoms and the underlying condition causing the vomiting.

Home Remedies

Vomiting blood is a very serious medical condition. You should seek immediate medical attention if you are vomiting blood. Call 911 if you are vomiting blood and also feel dizzy, faint, or light-headed, or if you are having problems breathing.

When to Call the Doctor

Call 112 or emergency medical assistance

Call 112 if vomiting blood causes signs and symptoms of severe blood loss or shock, such as:

Rapid, shallow breathing
Dizziness or lightheadedness after standing up
Blurred vision
Fainting
Confusion
Nausea
Cold, clammy, pale skin
Low urine output

Seek immediate medical attention

Ask someone to drive you to the emergency room if you notice blood in your vomit or begin vomiting blood. It's important to quickly identify the underlying cause of the bleeding and prevent more-severe blood loss and other complications, including death.

To book online consultation to meet our expert doctor click on the link below

Book a Consultation