Vomiting blood, clinically known as haematemesis, is a distressing symptom that can indicate a serious underlying medical condition. If you or someone you know experiences vomiting blood, it’s crucial to recognize it as a potential emergency. Experiencing weakness, faintness, or generally feeling unwell after vomiting blood necessitates immediate medical attention, such as calling emergency services. Even if you feel relatively well afterward, seeking prompt evaluation at the nearest emergency department is still essential.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help for Vomiting Blood
It’s important to discern whether you’ve actually vomited blood. If you are uncertain about the presence of blood in your vomit, it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek urgent medical advice from your general practitioner or an after-hours GP service.
The appearance of blood in vomit can vary significantly. You might observe:
- A large quantity of bright red blood, indicating active, rapid bleeding.
- Streaks of blood mixed with food particles in the vomit, suggesting a less severe but still significant bleed.
- Vomit that resembles coffee grounds, a sign that the blood has been in your stomach for some time and has been partially digested by stomach acid. This appearance implies slower or ceased bleeding, but still requires medical evaluation.
If possible, preserving a small sample of the vomit can be incredibly helpful for the medical professionals assessing you. This sample provides valuable clues and assists in determining the potential cause of the bleeding more effectively.
Diagnostic Process for Haematemesis
Unless there’s an obvious and benign reason for the blood, such as swallowing blood from a nosebleed, hospital admission for immediate testing is generally required. These tests will typically include blood work to assess your overall condition and an endoscopy.
An endoscopy is a key diagnostic procedure for vomiting blood. It involves the insertion of a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera down your throat and into your digestive tract. This allows doctors to directly visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) to pinpoint the source of the bleeding.
Common Causes of Vomiting Blood (Haematemesis)
Vomiting blood signifies bleeding originating from somewhere in the upper digestive tract, which includes the esophagus (food pipe), stomach, or duodenum. While it is critical to avoid self-diagnosis and always seek professional medical assessment, understanding the common causes can provide context.
Stomach Ulcers and Severe Gastritis
If vomiting blood is accompanied by a burning or gnawing pain in your abdomen, the most probable causes are a stomach ulcer or severe gastritis. Gastritis refers to the inflammation of the stomach lining.
Bleeding in these conditions occurs when the ulceration or inflammation erodes into an underlying artery, causing blood to enter the stomach and subsequently be vomited.
Esophageal Varices
Esophageal varices are enlarged veins located in the walls of the lower esophagus. These varices are prone to bleeding, often without associated pain.
A frequent cause of esophageal varices is alcoholic liver disease. The condition arises due to increased pressure in the veins surrounding the liver, leading to the development of these fragile, enlarged veins in the esophagus.
If a doctor suspects esophageal varices as the cause of vomiting blood, immediate hospital admission is necessary due to the potential for significant and dangerous bleeding.
Severe Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), also known as acid reflux, involves stomach acid leaking back up into the esophagus.
In severe cases of GORD, the persistent acid exposure can severely irritate and erode the esophageal lining, leading to inflammation and bleeding. This bleeding can then manifest as blood in the vomit.
Mallory-Weiss Tear (Tear in the Esophagus)
Prolonged and forceful retching or vomiting can cause a Mallory-Weiss tear. This is a tear in the mucous membrane of the esophagus at the junction where it meets the stomach.
This tear, while often associated with excessive alcohol consumption or severe morning sickness in pregnancy, can result in significant bleeding and haematemesis.
Swallowed Blood
In certain situations, vomiting blood might actually be due to swallowed blood. A common example is following a significant nosebleed, where blood trickles down the back of the throat and is subsequently swallowed, then vomited up.
It’s also important to note that the conditions listed above that cause vomiting blood may also lead to blood in the stools, resulting in stools that are black and tarry in appearance (melaena).
Less Common Causes of Vomiting Blood
While the causes listed above are the most frequent, vomiting blood can less commonly be caused by other conditions. These may include tumors in the esophagus or stomach, bleeding disorders, or certain medications. A thorough medical evaluation is essential to determine the precise cause in each individual case.
This information is adapted from original content from the NHS website and is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
