Throwing up blood, medically known as hematemesis, means that there is bleeding somewhere in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or the first part of the small intestine. The blood in vomit can be bright red, indicating active bleeding, or look dark like coffee grounds, indicating older or slower bleeding. This symptom often signals a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. Common causes include:
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
- Stomach or duodenal ulcers
- Esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the esophagus, often due to liver disease)
- Severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Tears in the esophagus (Mallory-Weiss tear) from severe vomiting or coughing
- Blood clotting disorders or tumors in the upper GI tract
Vomiting blood is a sign these underlying conditions may be causing bleeding that needs to be diagnosed and treated urgently to prevent complications like shock or organ failure. If someone vomits blood, especially if accompanied by dizziness, fainting, severe pain, or black stools, emergency medical care should be sought immediately.