Vomiting blood is a backward flowing (regurgitation) of blood through the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract includes the small intestine, stomach, mouth, throat and esophagus, the tube that moves food and secretions from mouth to stomach.
Alternative Names:
Hematemesis; Blood in the vomit
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:
There are several reasons why someone may vomit blood. For example, vomiting that is very forceful or continues for a very long time may cause a tear in the small blood vessels of the throat or the esophagus, producing streaks of blood in the vomit.
Other causes may include:
Bleeding ulcer located in the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus
Irritation or erosion of the lining of the esophagus or stomach
Swallowing blood (for example, swallowed after a nosebleed)
Tumors of the stomach or esophagus
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.
Review Date: 11/13/2007
Reviewed By: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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Internal Medicine
