
If your GP or doctor thinks oesophageal varices are the cause of blood in your vomit, you'll need to be admitted to hospital immediately. They're often caused by alcoholic liver disease. They bleed, but don't usually cause any pain. Oesophageal varices are enlarged veins in the walls of the lower part of the oesophagus (tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach). If you vomit blood and also have a burning or gnawing pain in your tummy, the most likely causes are a stomach ulcer or severe inflammation of the stomach lining ( gastritis).īleeding occurs when the ulcer or inflammation damages an underlying artery (blood vessel).

It's a rough guide that should give you a better idea of the problem.ĭon't use it to diagnose yourself – always get assessment and treatment. If you vomit blood, it means there's bleeding somewhere in your oesophagus (the tube linking your mouth to your stomach), stomach or the first part of your small intestine (duodenum).īelow is a summary of the most likely causes of blood in the vomit. This is to find out where in the body the blood has come from, for example, the stomach. An endoscopy involves examining the inside of your digestive tract with a thin, flexible tube that has a light and camera at one end. These will include blood tests and an endoscopy. Unless you're well and the cause is obvious to your GP or doctor – for example, swallowing blood from a nosebleed – you should be admitted to hospital straight away for tests. It will give them a much better idea of what's wrong. If possible, keep a small sample of the vomit to show the doctor treating you. there may be what looks like coffee grounds in your vomit, which means the blood has been in your stomach for a few hours.



Dieulafoy's lesion (an artery that protrudes through the stomach wall).Defects in gastrointestinal tract blood vessels.Benign tumors of the stomach or esophagus.Bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine) from peptic (stomach or duodenal) ulcers or torn blood vessels is a common cause of vomiting blood.Ĭall 911 or your local emergency number if vomiting blood causes dizziness after standing, rapid, shallow breathing or other signs of shock. Swallowed blood, as from a nosebleed or forceful coughing, may cause bloody vomit, but truly vomiting blood usually means something more serious and requires immediate medical attention. Blood in vomit may be bright red, or it may appear black or dark brown like coffee grounds. Small streaks or flecks of blood in material you spit up may come from the teeth, mouth or throat and isn't usually considered vomiting blood. Vomiting blood (hematemesis) refers to significant amounts of blood in your vomit.
