Vomiting blood

Image © Julien Grondin

Wed 23 September 2009

Usually comes from the stomach

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. It can also be a symptom of stomach or oesophageal tumours.

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

These conditions can all result in heavy blood loss. Internal bleeding like this can become life threatening, and must be seen by a doctor. Investigations will involve a barium meal X- ray and looking directly into the oesophagus and stomach using an endoscope.