Vomiting blood

Blood which has been vomited, or haematemesis, is usually a dark brown colour, unlike coughed up blood which is bright red. It is often described as resembling ground coffee!

Blood which is vomited usually comes from the stomach or oesophagus (gullet).

The more likely causes of vomited blood are enlarged veins in the oesophagus called varices (like varicose veins in the legs!), inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), and peptic ulcers of the stomach or duodenum.

However, it can also be a symptom of stomach cancer or an oesophageal tumour.

If some of the leaked blood passes through the intestines it will be carried out through the rectum as black tarry stools, called malaena.

Whatever the cause, these conditions can all result in heavy blood loss and internal bleeding. Anyone who vomits and notices blood needs to be seen by a doctor.

Investigations usually involve a barium meal X- ray and looking directly into the oesophagus and stomach using an endoscope.

This article was published on Mon 7 February 2011