Vomiting blood

Main Navigation

•	Encyclopedia Home
•	Symptoms A-Z

Definition

Vomiting blood is a backward flowing (regurgitation) of blood through the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The upper GI tract includes the stomach, mouth, throat, esophagus (the swallowing tube), and the first part of the small intestine.

Alternative Names

Hematemesis; Blood in the vomit

Considerations

Vomiting blood results from upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between vomiting blood and coughing up blood (from the lung) or a nosebleed.

Conditions that cause vomiting blood can also cause blood in the stool.

Causes

There are several reasons why someone may vomit blood. For example, vomiting that is very forceful or continues for a very long time may cause a tear in the small blood vessels of the throat or the esophagus, producing streaks of blood in the vomit.

Other causes may include:

Bleeding ulcer in the stomach, first part of the small intestine, or esophagus
Bleeding esophageal varices or stomach varices
Defects in the blood vessels of the GI tract
Infection of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis)
Inflammation of the esophagus lining (esophagitis)
Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
Irritation or erosion of the lining of the esophagus or stomach
Swallowing blood (for example, swallowed after a nosebleed)
Tumors of the stomach or esophagus

Home Care

Although not all situations are the result of a major medical problem, this is difficult to know without a medical evaluation. Seek immediate medical attention.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor or go to the emergency room if vomiting of blood occurs -- this requires immediate medical evaluation.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The doctor will examine you and ask questions such as:

When did the vomiting begin?
Have you ever vomited blood before?
How much blood was in the vomit?
What color was the blood? (Bright red or like coffee grounds?)
Have you had any recent nosebleeds, surgeries, dental work, vomiting, stomach problems, or severe coughing?
What other symptoms do you have?
What medical conditions do you have?
What medicines do you take?
Do you drink alcohol or smoke?

Tests that may be done include:

Blood work, such as a complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistries, blood clotting tests, and liver function tests
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Rectal exam
Tube through the nose into the stomach to check for blood
X-rays

If you have vomited a lot of blood, emergency treatment may be needed. This may include:

Blood transfusions
Fluids through a vein
Medications to decrease stomach acid,
Possible surgery if bleeding does not stop

References

Overton DT. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill; 2006:chap 74.

Review Date: 1/16/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website, and its associated websites, is provided as a benefit to the local community, and the Internet community in general; it does not constitute medical advice. We try to provide quality information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites. As medical advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each patient and healthcare is constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of a competent physician. Furthermore, in providing this service, Adventist HealthCare does not condone or support all of the content covered in this site. As an Adventist health care organization, Adventist HealthCare acts in accordance with the ethical and religious directives for Adventist health care services.