Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionWhen to Seek CareCausesDiagnosisRisk of AnemiaEmergency TreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
When to Seek Care
Causes
Diagnosis
Risk of Anemia
Emergency Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Vomiting blood is a medical emergency. You should head to a hospital emergency department.
This article will cover the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hematemesis. It will focus on identifying blood in vomit and why it is a medical emergency.
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What’s Considered Hematemesis?
Hematemesis is when someonevomitsblood. The vomit could be made up entirely of blood or it could be the stomach contents mixed with blood.
Bleeding in theGI tractcan cause hematemesis. The GI tract includes the:
It can be difficult to know what is causing hematemesis. Any amount of blood in the vomit is concerning and should be considered a medical emergency. A small amount of blood can turn into a large amount in very little time.
When someone vomits blood, there isbleedingsomewhere in their GI tract. Without the help of a healthcare provider, it is impossible to know what exactly is causing the bleeding.Bleeding that goes on too long or is a large volume it can lead to significant blood loss. Therefore, vomiting blood is absolutely a medical emergency.
When someone vomits blood, there isbleedingsomewhere in their GI tract. Without the help of a healthcare provider, it is impossible to know what exactly is causing the bleeding.
Bleeding that goes on too long or is a large volume it can lead to significant blood loss. Therefore, vomiting blood is absolutely a medical emergency.
Color
Hematemesis can be a wide range of colors. The blood may be mixed in withvomitthat contains stomach contents, or it can be only blood.
Hematemesis colors could include:
Blood that is red and appears to be fresh indicates severe and active bleeding, while blood that resembles coffee grounds indicates older blood and previous bleeding.
Source of Bleeding
The source of bleeding in hematemesis is usuallysomewhere in the upper GI tract.
The upper GI tract includes the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine).Bleeding can originate in any of these areas of the body.
When to Seek Medical Care
Anytime someone is vomiting blood, they should seek immediate care. The bleeding can be something minor to a life-threatening condition, and a healthcare provider will need to determine that.
Even a small amount of blood can mean something serious or quickly turn into a large amount of blood.
Vomiting blood can be mistaken forcoughing up blood(hemoptysis). Whatever the cause, it’s crucial to go to an emergency department or call 911.
Signs of Shock
Hematemesis can cause you to lose a significant amount of blood.Hypovolemic shockwill occur when one-fifth of your blood is lost.This is a life-threatening condition.
Hypovolemic shock is when there is not enough blood and fluid pumping through the heart. The large decrease in the blood supply means that organs and tissues will receive less oxygen and nutrients. This causes organ and tissue damage, which can lead to death if not promptly treated.
The signs of hypovolemic shock are:
Shock is an absolute medical emergency. Head to a hospital emergfency department right away.
Related:Signs and Symptoms of Shock
Reasons You Could Be Throwing Up Blood
The most common causes of GI bleeding that cause hematemesis are:
Other causes of vomiting blood are:
Related:Causes of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Esophagus
Diagnostic Process With a GI Specialist
AGI specialistis a healthcare provider who diagnoses and treats conditions of the GI tract. If you have hematemesis, you will see a GI specialist, who will perform certain diagnostic testing to determine the cause of the bleeding.
The types of tests will depend upon the severity of bleeding and if there is a known cause. You can expect the following tests:
The EGD looks for bleeding in the upper GI tract. This helps healthcare providers make a diagnosis and form a treatment plan.
A GI bleed that causes a large amount of bleeding or bleeding over a long time puts you at risk foranemia. A slow GI bleed that has been occurring for a long time can go undetected until a blood test reveals anemia.
Hematemesis increases your risk of anemia due to the blood lost during vomiting.
In the emergency room, the medical team will monitor your breathing,blood pressure,heart rate, and urination.
Initial treatment will be aimed at keeping the patient’s vital signs stable with oxygen, intravenous (IV) fluids, blood transfusions, and medications.
An EGD may be performed to stop the GI bleeding that causes hematemesis. The healthcare provider can apply medications to the bleeding site, treat the bleed with a laser or heat probe, or stop bleeding with a clip or band around the blood vessels.
Summary
Hematemesis is the act of vomiting lood. It is a medical emergency. The blood could come from anywhere in the upper GI tract, and finding a specific source can be difficult. A healthcare provider will be able to assess the severity of the bleed as well as determine the best treatment options. Treatments can be as simple as medication or involve an invasive procedure.
A Word From Verywell
Seeing blood in your vomit can be unnerving. You likely don’t know why it’s happening and may not know if it is because of something minor or more serious. Don’t try to self-diagnose. Contact your healthcare provider right away and get help. A small GI bleed can quickly turn into a large GI bleed, which can then turn into a life-threatening event.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPeople with bulimia can have blood in their vomit. The forceful, frequent vomiting episodes can cause tears in the esophagus. These tears can bleed and show up in the vomit.Learn MoreHow is Bulimia Diagnosed?Throwing up just a little blood means that there is an area in the upper GI tract that is bleeding. It could be from small tears in the esophagus or something more significant like peptic ulcer disease. Talk to your healthcare provider to get a firm diagnosis.Blood that comes up in the saliva is likely coming from the respiratory tract (lungs and throat). One of the most common reasons is bronchitis, inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
People with bulimia can have blood in their vomit. The forceful, frequent vomiting episodes can cause tears in the esophagus. These tears can bleed and show up in the vomit.Learn MoreHow is Bulimia Diagnosed?
People with bulimia can have blood in their vomit. The forceful, frequent vomiting episodes can cause tears in the esophagus. These tears can bleed and show up in the vomit.
Learn MoreHow is Bulimia Diagnosed?
Throwing up just a little blood means that there is an area in the upper GI tract that is bleeding. It could be from small tears in the esophagus or something more significant like peptic ulcer disease. Talk to your healthcare provider to get a firm diagnosis.
Blood that comes up in the saliva is likely coming from the respiratory tract (lungs and throat). One of the most common reasons is bronchitis, inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Vomiting blood.Kim BSM, Li BT, Engel A, et al.Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: A practical guide for clinicians.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(4):467-478. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467MedlinePlus.Hypovolemic shock.MedlinePlus.EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy.MedlinePlus.Anemia.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GI bleeding.MedlinePlus.Coughing up blood.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Vomiting blood.Kim BSM, Li BT, Engel A, et al.Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: A practical guide for clinicians.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(4):467-478. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467MedlinePlus.Hypovolemic shock.MedlinePlus.EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy.MedlinePlus.Anemia.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GI bleeding.MedlinePlus.Coughing up blood.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Vomiting blood.Kim BSM, Li BT, Engel A, et al.Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: A practical guide for clinicians.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(4):467-478. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467MedlinePlus.Hypovolemic shock.MedlinePlus.EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy.MedlinePlus.Anemia.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GI bleeding.MedlinePlus.Coughing up blood.
MedlinePlus.Vomiting blood.
Kim BSM, Li BT, Engel A, et al.Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: A practical guide for clinicians.World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(4):467-478. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467
MedlinePlus.Hypovolemic shock.
MedlinePlus.EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
MedlinePlus.Anemia.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GI bleeding.
MedlinePlus.Coughing up blood.
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