Vomiting blood (hematemesis) refers to significant amounts of blood in your vomit. Small streaks or flecks of blood in material you spit up may come from the teeth, mouth or throat and isn't usually considered vomiting blood. Blood in vomit may be bright red, or it may appear black or dark brown like coffee grounds.
Swallowed blood, as from a nosebleed or forceful coughing, may cause bloody vomit, but truly vomiting blood usually means something more serious and requires immediate medical attention. Bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine) from peptic (stomach or duodenal) ulcers or torn blood vessels is a common cause of vomiting blood.
Call 911 or your local emergency number if vomiting blood causes dizziness after standing, rapid, shallow breathing or other signs of shock.
Call 911 or emergency medical assistance
Call 911 if vomiting blood causes signs and symptoms of severe blood loss or shock, such as:
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness after standing up
- Blurred vision
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Cold, clammy, pale skin
- Low urine output
Seek immediate medical attention
Ask someone to drive you to the emergency room if you notice blood in your vomit or begin vomiting blood. It's important to quickly identify the underlying cause of the bleeding and prevent more-severe blood loss and other complications, including death.
Show References
- Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastrointestinal-bleeding. Accessed Feb. 15, 2022.
- Rockey DC. Causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 15, 2022.
- Feldman M, et al., eds. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 15, 2022.
- Kliegman RM. Major symptoms and signs of digestive tract disorders. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 15, 2022.
- Shock. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/shock. Accessed Feb. 15, 2022.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 23, 2022.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vomiting-blood/basics/definition/sym-20050732