“Hematemesis” is the medical term for vomiting blood. Blood that is vomited comes from the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can be caused by something minor or a severe condition. Common causes are peptic ulcer disease and esophageal varices.
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.
What’s Considered Hematemesis?
Hematemesis is when someone vomits blood. The vomit could be made up entirely of blood or it could be the stomach contents mixed with blood.
Bleeding in the GI tract can cause hematemesis. The GI tract includes the:
- MouthThroatEsophagusStomachDuodenum (the upper part of the small intestine)
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.
Color
Hematemesis can be a wide range of colors. The blood may be mixed in with vomit that contains stomach contents, or it can be only blood.
When someone vomits blood, there is bleeding somewhere 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.
Hematemesis colors could include:
- Bright redDark redBlackBlood mixed with foodCoffee ground (dark red or black with a coffee ground-like consistency)
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 usually somewhere 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.
Oftentimes, the source can only be found by a healthcare provider after diagnostic testing has been done.
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 for coughing 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 shock will 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:
- Clammy, cool skinPale skinDecreased urinationConfusion or anxietyWeaknessBreathing fastFast heart rateLow blood pressure
Shock is an absolute medical emergency. Head to a hospital emergfency department right away.
Reasons You Could Be Throwing Up Blood
The causes of vomit in blood can range from very minor conditions to severe diseases. In most cases, the cause is not immediately obvious and can be caused by medication, injury, or a disease process.
The most common causes of GI bleeding that cause hematemesis are:
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Varices
- Mallory-Weiss tear
- Cancer
- Swallowing blood after a nosebleed
- Forceful or prolonged vomiting
Other causes of vomiting blood are:
- Esophagitis
- Gastritis
- Blood clotting disorders
- Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE)
- Dieulafoy’s lesions
Diagnostic Process With a GI Specialist
A GI specialist is 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:
- Blood test : to assess blood count (CBC), liver function tests, and blood clotting
- Rectal exam
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): An EGD is also known as an upper GI. During an EGD, the patient is sedated and a GI specialist will insert a small scope with a camera into the patient’s mouth. They will guide it down the esophagus, to the stomach, and upper small intestine.
The EGD looks for bleeding in the upper GI tract. This helps healthcare providers make a diagnosis and form a treatment plan.
Risk of Anemia
Anemia is when the blood does not carry enough oxygen for the body. It can be caused by red blood cell injury, blood loss, and not enough red blood cells being produced.
A GI bleed that causes a large amount of bleeding or bleeding over a long time puts you at risk for anemia. 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.
Emergency Treatment
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 Questions
- Is puking blood a sign of bulimia?
- 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 More:
- How is Bulimia Diagnosed?
- What if you’re throwing up just a little blood?
- 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.
- What does it mean if you’re spitting up blood?
- 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.
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.
