Why Am I Vomiting Blood?

Overview

Vomiting blood, or hematemesis, is the regurgitation of stomach contents mixed with blood, or the regurgitation of blood only. Vomiting blood can be a concerning, but in some cases, minor causes may trigger it. This includes swallowing blood from a mouth injury or a nosebleed.

These minor situations will likely not cause any long-term harm. Vomiting blood may also be caused by more serious conditions such as internal injuries, organ bleeding, or organ rupture.

Regurgitated blood may appear brown, dark red, or bright red in color. Brown blood often resembles coffee grounds when vomited. The color of vomited blood can often indicate to your doctor the source and severity of the bleeding.

For example, darker blood generally indicates that the bleeding is coming from an upper gastrointestinal source, such as the stomach. Darker blood usually represents a less brisk and steady source of bleeding.

Bright red blood, on the other hand, often indicates an acute bleeding episode coming from the esophagus or stomach. It may represent a fast-bleeding source.

The color of the blood in the vomit may not always indicate the source and severity of the bleeding but should always prompt your doctor to investigate.

If you vomit a large amount of blood, typically 500 cc or the size of a small cup, or if you vomit blood in conjunction with dizziness or changes in breathing, you should call doc immediately.

Why does vomiting blood occur?

There are many causes of vomiting blood. They range in severity from minor to major and are normally the result of an injury, illness, or medication use.

Vomiting blood may be caused by minor conditions such as:

• esophagus irritation
• nosebleeds
• swallowing blood
• tear in the esophagus due to chronic coughing or vomiting
• swallowing a foreign object

Other common causes of vomiting blood include:

• stomach ulcers
• aspirin side effects
• gastritis, or stomach inflammation
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug side effects
• pancreatitis

More serious causes of vomiting blood include:

• cirrhosis
• esophageal cancer
• erosion of the stomach lining
• pancreatic cancer

All instances of vomiting blood should be reported to your doctor.

Symptoms that accompany vomiting blood

Several symptoms may be present along with vomiting blood. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• nausea
• abdominal discomfort
• abdominal pain
• vomiting stomach contents

Vomiting blood can indicate a serious medical emergency. Call doc if you experience any of these symptoms:

• dizziness
• blurred vision
• rapid heartbeat
• changes in breathing
• cold or clammy skin
• confusion
• fainting
• severe abdominal pain
• vomiting blood after an injury

powered by Rubicon Project

At the doctors

There are many potential health issues that could cause you to vomit blood. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will begin by asking questions about your symptoms and whether or not you were recently injured.

Your doctor may order an imaging test to look inside your body. Imaging scans reveal abnormalities in the body such as ruptured organs or abnormal growths. Common imaging tests used for these purposes are:

• CT scan
• endoscopy, a device that allows your doctor to look in your stomach
• ultrasound
• X-ray
• MRI

Your doctor may request an upper endoscopy to look for blood in the stomach. This procedure is performed while you are sedated. Your doctor will place a small, flexible tube called an endoscope into your mouth and down into your stomach and small intestine.

A fiber optic camera in the tube allows your doctor to see the contents of your stomach and examine you internally for any sources of bleeding.

Your doctor may order a blood test to check your complete blood count. This helps to assess the amount of blood lost. A biopsy may also be performed to determine if the source of bleeding represents an inflammatory, infectious, or cancerous source. Your doctor may order additional tests based on your blood count result.

Complications of vomiting blood

Choking, or aspiration, is one of the main complications of vomiting blood. This can lead to blood collecting in the lungs, impairing your ability to breathe properly. Aspiration of blood in the vomit, although rare, can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

People who are at risk for aspiration of stomach contents include:

• older adults
• people with a history of alcohol misuse
• people with a history of stroke
• people with a history of disorders affecting their ability to swallow

Depending on the cause, vomiting blood may cause additional health complications.

Anemia is another complication of excessive bleeding. It’s a deficiency of healthy red blood cells. It occurs particularly when the blood loss is rapid and sudden.

However, people with conditions that progress slowly, such as gastritis, or people with chronic NSAID use may develop anemia over several weeks to months. In this case, anemia may remain without symptoms until their hemoglobin, or blood count, is very low.

Vomiting blood caused by excessive bleeding can also lead to shock. The following symptoms are indicators of shock:

• dizziness upon standing
• rapid, shallow breathing
• low urine output
• cold, pale skin

If not treated immediately, shock can lead to a decrease in blood pressure followed by coma and death. If you experience any symptoms of shock, have someone take you to the emergency room or call 911.

How is vomiting blood treated?

Depending on the amount of blood lost, you may need a blood transfusion. A blood transfusion replaces your lost blood with donor blood. The blood is fed into your vein through an IV line.

You might also require fluid to be given through an IV to rehydrate your body. Your doctor may prescribe medication to stop the vomiting or to decrease stomach acid. If you have an ulcer, your doctor will prescribe medications to treat it.

In certain more severe cases of upper GI bleeding, your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist.

The gastroenterologist may perform an upper endoscopy to not only diagnose but also treat the source of the bleeding. In severe cases, such as stomach or bowel perforation, surgery may be needed. Severe cases may also include a bleeding ulcer or internal injuries.

Some foods and beverages increase the likelihood of vomiting blood. These include but are not limited to highly acidic foods and alcoholic beverages. If you regularly consume these foods or beverages, your doctor can help you create a special diet to decrease this risk.

What could cause vomiting?What causes vomiting without fever?How do I stop constant vomiting?

 What could cause vomiting?

he most common causes of vomiting in adults include:

• foodborne illnesses (food poisoning)
• indigestion.
• bacterial or viral infections, like viral gastroenteritis, which is often referred to as a “stomach bug”
• motion sickness.
• chemotherapy.
• migraine headaches.
• medications, like antibiotics, morphine, or anesthesia.

What causes vomiting without fever?

Most of the time, gastroenteritis is caused by a virus like rotavirus or norovirus. But you can also get it from bacteria like E. coli or salmonella. Although norovirus can sometimes cause a low-grade fever, you can also have it with no fever at all.

How do I stop constant vomiting?

What can be done to control or relieve nausea and vomiting?

1. Drink clear or ice-cold drinks.
2. Eat light, bland foods (such as saltine crackers or plain bread).
3. Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods.
4. Eat slowly and eat smaller, more frequent meals.
5. Do not mix hot and cold foods.
6. Drink beverages slowly.

 

Causes of Vomiting and How to Treat in Adults, Babies, and When Pregnant

Vomiting — forcefully expelling what’s in your stomach through your mouth — is your body’s way of getting rid of something harmful in the stomach. It may also be a response to irritation in the gut.

Vomiting isn’t a condition, but rather a symptom of other conditions. Some of these conditions are serious, but most aren’t a cause for concern.

Vomiting can be a one-time event, especially when it’s caused by eating or drinking something that doesn’t settle right in the stomach. However, vomiting repeatedly can be a sign of an emergency or a serious underlying condition.

Read on to learn the causes of vomiting in adults, babies, and pregnant women, how to treat it, and when it’s considered an emergency.

Primary causes of vomiting

The most common causes of vomiting are different in adults, babies, and pregnant or menstruating women.

Vomiting in adults

The most common causes of vomiting in adults include:

• foodborne illnesses (food poisoning)
• indigestion
• bacterial or viral infections, like viral gastroenteritis, which is often referred to as a “stomach bug”
• motion sickness
• chemotherapy
• migraine headaches
• medications, like antibiotics, morphine, or anesthesia
• excessive alcohol consumption
• appendicitis
• acid reflux or GERD
• gallstones
• anxiety
• intense pain
• exposure to toxins, such as lead
• Crohn’s disease
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• concussion
• food allergies

Vomiting in babies

Common causes of vomiting in babies include:

• viral gastroenteritis
• swallowing milk too quickly, which can be caused by the hole in the bottle teat being too large
• food allergies
• milk intolerance
• other types of infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), middle ear infections, pneumonia, or meningitis
• accidentally ingesting a poison
• congenital pyloric stenosis: a condition present at birth in which the passage from the stomach to the bowel has narrowed so food can’t pass through easily
• intussusception: when the bowel telescopes in on itself resulting in a blockage — a medical emergency

Vomiting when pregnant

Causes of vomiting in pregnant women include:

• morning sickness
• acid reflux
• foodborne illnesses (food poisoning)
• migraine headaches
• sensitivity to certain smells or tastes
• extreme morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which is caused by rising hormones

Vomiting during menstruation

Hormone changes during menstruation can make you nauseous and make you throw up. Some women also experience migraine headaches during their periods, which can also cause vomiting.

How to treat vomiting

Treatment for vomiting depends on the underlying cause. Drinking plenty of water and sports drinks containing electrolytes can help prevent dehydration.

In adults

Consider these home remedies:

• Eat small meals consisting of only light and plain foods (rice, bread, crackers or the BRAT diet).
• Sip clear liquids.
• Rest and avoid physical activity.

Medications can be helpful:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Imodium and Pepto-Bismol may help suppress nausea and vomiting as you wait for your body to fight off an infection
• Depending on the cause, a doctor may prescribe antiemetic drugs, like ondansetron (Zofran), granisetron, or promethazine.
• OTC antacids or other prescription medications can help treat the symptoms of acid reflux.
• Anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed if your vomiting is related to an anxiety condition.

In babies

• Keep your baby lying on their stomach or side to lessen the chances of inhaling vomit
• Make sure your baby consumes extra fluids, such as water, sugar water, oral rehydration solutions (Pedialyte) or gelatin; if your baby is still breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed often.
• Avoid solid foods.
• See a doctor if your baby refuses to eat or drink anything for more than a few hours.

When pregnant

Pregnant women who have morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum may need to receive intravenous fluids if they’re unable to keep down any fluids.

More severe cases of hyperemesis gravidarum might require total parenteral nutrition given through an IV.

A doctor may also prescribe antiemetics, such as promethazine, metoclopramide (Reglan), or droperidol (Inapsine), to help prevent nausea and vomiting. These medications can be given by mouth, IV, or suppository

When to see a doctor

Adults and babies

Adults and babies should see a doctor if they:

• are vomiting repeatedly for more than a day
• are unable to keep down any fluids
• have green colored vomit or the vomit contains blood
• have signs of severe dehydration, such as fatigue, dry mouth, excessive thirst, sunken eyes, fast heart rate, and little or no urine; in babies, signs of severe dehydration also include crying without producing tears and drowsiness
• have lost significant weight since the vomiting began
• are vomiting off and on for over a month

Pregnant women

Pregnant women should see a doctor if their nausea and vomiting makes it impossible to eat or drink or keep anything in the stomach.

Prediction and preventiPredicting when you might vomit

Before you vomit, you may begin to feel nauseous. Nausea can be described as stomach discomfort and the sensation of your stomach churning.

Young children may not be able to recognize nausea, but they may complain of a stomachache before they vomit.

Prevention

When you begin feeling nauseous, there are a few steps you can take to potentially stop yourself from actually vomiting. The following tips may help prevent vomiting before it starts:

• Take deep breaths.
• Drink ginger tea or eat fresh or candied ginger.
• Take an OTC medication to stop vomiting, such as Pepto-Bismol.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, take an OTC antihistamine such as Dramamine.
• Suck on ice chips.
• If you’re prone to indigestion or acid reflux, avoid oily or spicy foods.
• Sit down or lie down with your head and back propped up.

Vomiting caused by certain conditions may not always be possible to prevent. For example, consuming enough alcohol to cause a toxic level in your bloodstream will result in vomiting as your body attempts to return to a non-toxic level.

Care and recovery after vomiting

Drinking plenty of water and other liquids to replenish lost fluids is important after a bout of vomiting. Start slowly by sipping water or sucking on ice chips, then add in more clear liquids like sports drinks or juice. You can make your own rehydration solution using:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 teaspoons sugar
• 1 liter water

You shouldn’t have a big meal after you vomit. Begin with saltine crackers or plain rice or bread. You should also avoid foods that are difficult to digest, like:

• milk
• cheese
• caffeine
• fatty or fried foods
• spicy food

After you vomit, you should rinse your mouth with cool water to remove any stomach acid that could damage your teeth. Don’t brush your teeth right after vomiting as this could cause damage to the already weakened enamel.

Key takeaways

Vomiting is a common symptom of many conditions. Most often, vomiting in both adults and babies is a result of an infection called gastroenteritis, indigestion, or food poisoning. However, there can be several other causes.

In pregnant women, vomiting is often a sign of morning sickness.

Vomiting can be concerning if a person shows signs of severe dehydration, or it accompanies chest pain, sudden and severe abdominal pain, a high fever, or a stiff neck. People who’ve recently had a head injury or are vomiting blood should see a doctor right away.

If you’re experiencing vomiting, make sure to sip water and other clear fluids to prevent dehydration. Eat small meals when you’re able to, consisting of plain foods like crackers.

If the vomiting doesn’t subside in a few days, see a doctor.

How do stomach ulcers feel?Do stomach ulcers go away?How do you treat stomach ulcers?

 How do stomach ulcers feel?

The most common symptom of peptic ulcers is abdominal pain. The pain is usually in the upper middle part of the abdomen, above the belly button (navel) and below the breastbone. The ulcer pain can feel like burning, or gnawing, and it may go through to the back.

Do stomach ulcers go away?

Treatment Overview

Left untreated, many ulcers eventually heal. But ulcers often recur if the cause of the ulcer is not eliminated or treated. If ulcers keep coming back, you have an increased risk of developing a serious complication, such as bleeding or a hole in the wall of your stomach or intestine.

How do you treat stomach ulcers?

Talk with your doctor about adding these foods to your diet:

1. Flavonoids. Research suggests that flavonoids, also known as bioflavonoids, may be an effective additional treatment for stomach ulcers. ...
2. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice. ...
3. Probiotics. ...
4. Honey. ...
5. Garlic. ...
6. Cranberry. ...
7. Mastic. ...
8. 8. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

Stomach Ulcers and What You Can Do About Them

 

Stomach Ulcers and What You Can Do About Them

What is a stomach ulcer?

Stomach ulcers, which are also known as gastric ulcers, are painful sores in the stomach lining. Stomach ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer disease. Peptic ulcers are any ulcers that affect both the stomach and small intestines.

Stomach ulcers occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects your stomach from digestive juices is reduced. This allows the digestive acids to eat away at the tissues that line the stomach, causing an ulcer.

Stomach ulcers may be easily cured, but they can become severe without proper treatment.

What causes stomach ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are almost always caused by one of the following:

• an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
• long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen

Rarely, a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers by increasing the body’s production of acid. This syndrome is suspected to cause less than 1 percent of all peptic ulcers.

Symptoms of stomach ulcers

A number of symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the ulcer.

The most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen between your chest and belly button. Typically, the pain will be more intense when your stomach is empty, and it can last for a few minutes to several hours.

Other common signs and symptoms of ulcers include:

• dull pain in the stomach
• weight loss
• not wanting to eat because of pain
• nausea or vomiting
• bloating
• feeling easily full
• burping or acid reflux
• heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest)
• pain that may improve when you eat, drink, or take antacids
• anemia, whose symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin
• dark, tarry stools
• vomit that’s bloody or looks like coffee grounds

Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Even though discomfort may be mild, ulcers can worsen if they aren’t treated. Bleeding ulcers can become life-threatening.

How are stomach ulcers diagnosed?

Diagnosis and treatment will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your ulcer. To diagnose a stomach ulcer, your doctor will review your medical history along with your symptoms and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking.

To rule out H. pylori infection, a blood, stool, or breath test may be ordered. With a breath test, you’ll be instructed to drink a clear liquid and breathe into a bag, which is then sealed. If H. pylori is present, the breath sample will contain higher-than-normal levels of carbon dioxide.

Other tests and procedures used to diagnose stomach ulcers include:

• Barium swallow: You drink a thick white liquid (barium) that coats your upper gastrointestinal tract and helps your doctor see your stomach and small intestine on X-rays.
• Endoscopy (EGD): A thin, lighted tube is inserted through your mouth and into the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This test is used to look for ulcers, bleeding, and any tissue that looks abnormal.
• Endoscopic biopsy: A piece of stomach tissue is removed so it can be analyzed in a lab.

Treating stomach ulcers

Treatment will vary depending on the cause of your ulcer. Most ulcers can be treated with a prescription from your doctor, but in rare cases, surgery may be required.

It’s important to promptly treat an ulcer. Talk to your doctor to discuss a treatment plan. If you have an actively bleeding ulcer, you’ll likely be hospitalized for intensive treatment with endoscopy and IV ulcer medications. You may also require a blood transfusion.

Nonsurgical treatment

If your stomach ulcer is the result of H. pylori, you’ll need antibiotics and drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs block the stomach cells that produce acid.

In addition to these treatments, your doctor may also recommend:

• H2 receptor blockers (drugs that also block acid production)
• stopping use of all NSAIDs
• follow-up endoscopy
• probiotics (useful bacteria that may have a role in killing off H. pylori)
• bismuth supplement

Symptoms of an ulcer may subside quickly with treatment. But even if your symptoms disappear, you should continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor. This is especially important with H. pylori infections, to make sure that all bacteria are eliminated.

Side effects of medications used to treat stomach ulcers can include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• headaches
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain

These side effects are typically temporary. If any of these side effects cause extreme discomfort, talk to your doctor about changing your medication.

Surgical treatment

In very rare cases, a complicated stomach ulcer will require surgery. This may be the case for ulcers that:

• continue to return
• don’t heal
• bleed
• tear through the stomach
• keep food from flowing out of the stomach into the small intestine

Surgery may include:

• removal of the entire ulcer
• taking tissue from another part of the intestines and patching it over the ulcer site
• tying off a bleeding artery
• cutting off the nerve supply to the stomach to reduce the production of stomach acid

Healthful diet

In the past, it was thought that diet could cause ulcers. We know now this isn’t true. We also know that while the foods you eat won’t cause or cure a stomach ulcer, eating a healthful diet can benefit your intestinal tract and overall health.

In general, it’s a good idea to eat a diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber.

That said, it’s possible that some foods play a role in eliminating H. pylori. Foods that may help fight off H. pylori or boost the body’s own healthy bacteria include:

• broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and radishes
• leafy greens, such as spinach and kale
• probiotic-rich foods, such as sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, yogurt (especially with lactobacillus and Sacharomyces)
• apples
• blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries
• olive oil

Additionally, since people with stomach ulcers may have accompanying acid reflux disease, it is a good idea to stay away from spicy and sour foods while an ulcer is healing.

Home remedies for stomach ulcers

In addition to eating healthy foods, the following items may help reduce the effects of H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for many stomach ulcers. However, these supplements are not intended to replace prescription medication or your current treatment plan. They include:

• probiotics
• honey
• glutamine (food sources include chicken, fish, eggs, spinach, and cabbage)

Your doctor may also have suggestions for things you can do at home to relieve discomfort from your ulcer. Consider talking to your doctor about these natural and home remedies for ulcers.

When should you call or see a doctor?

If you think you have a stomach ulcer, call your doctor. Together you can discuss your symptoms and treatment options. If you don’t already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a provider near you.

It’s important to get a stomach ulcer taken care of because without treatment, ulcers and H. pylori can cause:

• bleeding from the ulcer site that can become life-threatening
• penetration, which occurs when the ulcer goes through the wall of the digestive tract and into another organ, such as the pancreas
• perforation, which occurs when the ulcer creates a hole in the wall of the digestive tract
• obstruction (blockage) in the digestive tract, which is due to swelling of inflamed tissues
• stomach cancer, specifically non-cardia gastric cancer

Symptoms of these complications can include those listed below. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to call you doctor right away:

• weakness
• trouble breathing
• red or black vomit or stools
• sudden, sharp pain in your abdomen that doesn’t go away

Prevention of stomach ulcers

To prevent the spread of bacteria that might cause a stomach ulcer, wash your hands with soap and water on a regular basis. Also, be sure to properly clean all of your food and to cook it thoroughly as needed.

To prevent ulcers caused by NSAIDs, stop using these medications (if possible) or limit their use. If you need to take NSAIDs, be sure to follow the recommended dosage and avoid alcohol while taking these medications. And always take these medications with food and adequate liquids.