Hematemesis: what happens if you vomit blood

Vomiting blood usually implies that there is bleeding somewhere in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The causes can be diverse, but you have to consult the doctor immediately.

• What is hematemesis (vomiting blood)?
• What causes hematemesis (vomiting blood)?
• When should you go to the doctor if you vomit blood?

Vomiting blood is very alarming, although it does not always indicate serious illness. Several causes can cause you to expel some blood through your mouth, from a gastric ulcer to an irritation in your stomach.

The color and amount of blood can give clues about the origin of the problem, but in any case, you have to go immediately to the doctor to assess it.

WHAT IS HEMATEMESIS (VOMITING BLOOD)?

The word hematemesis is formed by the prefix heat-, from the Greek haimato (blood) and the Greek word emesis (vomit), so it literally means “vomiting blood“.

Hematemesis means, therefore, vomiting blood and can be along with the contents of the stomach or blood alone. The blood can be bright red, when fresh, or brown like brown, if it has already been digested.

Hematemesis is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that there is (or has been) bleeding somewhere in the upper part of the digestive system: the esophagus, the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum).

WHAT CAUSES HEMATEMESIS (VOMITING BLOOD)?

Vomiting blood can be due to several factors or diseases:

• Peptic ulcer (bleeding): These are wounds (open sores) in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, often caused by an infection or continued use of certain medications, such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Esophagitis or gastritis: Inflammation of the lining of the esophagus or stomach can cause bleeding from the arteries below. It can occur from chronic acid reflux, excessive alcohol consumption, or continued use of medications such as aspirin and NSAIDs.
• Esophageal varices: These are dilated veins in the esophagus that can bleed and cause hematemesis, especially in those who have liver diseases such as cirrhosis.
• Tumors in the stomach or esophagus: Tumors (both benign and malignant) can bleed and cause hematemesis.
• Liver disease: People with liver disease may have clotting disorders, which increases the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Mallory-Weiss syndrome. It is a tear in the lining of the esophagus caused by violent vomiting, usually after drinking too much alcohol.
• Gastrointestinal tract injuries: Any type of wound in the gastrointestinal tract, such as swallowing an object, suffering a blow, or even an injury after a medical procedure.
• Nosebleeds or mouth bleeds: In some cases, hematemesis is not due to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, but is due to the person swallowing blood from a nosebleed or buccal bleed.

WHEN SHOULD YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR IF YOU VOMIT BLOOD?

Vomiting blood is never normal and as we have explained, some of the causes can be serious, so it is important to go to the doctor as soon as possible to identify the origin of the blood and apply the appropriate treatment.

It is important to pay attention to the amount and color of blood in the vomit so that you can explain it well to the doctor, as it will give you clues about the origin:

• When the blood is abundant and bright red in color it may indicate active internal bleeding that needs immediate attention.
• If the blood is dark brown or black, it indicates that it has already been digested, so the bleeding is earlier. This may indicate that the bleeding is slower or has already stopped.

In some mild cases, in which hematemesis is caused by irritation in the stomach, it will be something punctual that will be solved only without the need for treatment. In others, however, vomiting blood must be treated immediately to avoid complications such as a decrease in the volume of blood circulating in the body (hypovolemia) or hypovolemic shock, which could be fatal.