Vomiting blood

Alternative names

Hematemesis; Blood in the vomit

Definition

Vomiting blood is a regurgitation of blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract, which includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus (the feeding tube that transmits food and secretions from mouth to stomach), stomach, and small intestine.

Considerations

Vomiting of blood results after there is upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This condition can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from coughing up blood (from the lung) or a nosebleed (bloody post-nasal drainage).

Conditions that cause blood to be vomited can also cause blood in the stool.

Common Causes

• Prolonged and vigorous retching (may cause a tear in the small blood vessels of the throat or the esophagus, producing streaks of blood in the vomit)
  
• Bleeding ulcer located in the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus
  
• Irritation or erosion of the lining of the esophagus or stomach
  
• Bleeding esophageal varices
  
• Vascular malformations of the GI tract
  
• Tumors of the stomach or esophagus
  
• Esophagitis
  
• Gastritis
  
• Ingested blood (for example, swallowed after a nosebleed)
  
• Gastroenteritis
  

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.

Call your health care provider if

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

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting the vomiting of blood in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  o When did this begin?
  o Has it ever occurred before?
  o Did it occur after retching or vomiting?
  
• Quality
  o How much blood was in the vomit?
  o Was the vomit entirely blood?
  o Was the blood bright red, dark red, or black?o Were there clots?