Vomiting blood

Find

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	R	S	T	U	V	W	Y

Overview	Treatment

Vomiting blood

Definition

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.

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
Bleeding esophageal varices
Defects in the blood vessels of the GI tract
Esophagitis
Gastritis
Gastroenteritis
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

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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.