Vomiting blood: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Vomiting blood is regurgitating (throwing up) contents of the stomach that contains blood.
P Vomited blood may appear either a bright red or dark red color. The vomited material may be mixed with food or it may be blood only.

T Considerations
P It may be hard to tell the difference between vomiting blood and coughing up blood (from the lung) or a nosebleed.
P Conditions that cause vomiting blood can also cause blood in the stool.

T Causes
P The upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract includes the mouth, throat, esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach and the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). Blood that is vomited may come from any of these places.
P Vomiting that is very forceful or continues for a very long time may cause a tear in the small blood vessels of the throat. This may produce streaks of blood in the vomit.
P Swollen veins in the walls of the lower part of the esophagus, and sometimes the stomach, may begin to bleed. These veins (called varices) are present in people with severe liver damage.
P Other causes may include:
- Bleeding ulcer in the stomach, first part of the small intestine, or esophagus
- Blood clotting disorders
- Defects in the blood vessels of the GI tract
- Swelling, irritation, or inflammation of the esophagus lining (esophagitis) or the stomach lining (gastritis)
- Swallowing blood (for example, after a nosebleed)
- Tumors of the mouth, throat, stomach or esophagus

T Home Care
P Get medical attention right away. Vomiting blood can be a result of a serious medical problem.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if vomiting of blood occurs. You will need to be examined right away.

T What to Expect at Your Office Visit
P The provider 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 or dark 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?
P 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) (placing a lit tube through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum)
- Rectal examination
- Tube through the nose into the stomach and then applying suction to check for blood in the stomach
- X-rays
P If you have vomited a lot of blood, you may need emergency treatment. This may include:
- Administration of oxygen
- Blood transfusions
- EGD with application of laser or other modalities to stop the bleeding
- Fluids through a vein
- Medicines to decrease stomach acid
- Possible surgery if bleeding does not stop

T Alternative Names
P Hematemesis; Blood in the vomit

T References
P Goralnick E, Meguerdichian DA. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 30.
P Kovacs TO, Jensen DM. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 135.
P Savides TJ, Jensen DM. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 20.

T Review Date 1/25/2017
P Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

