Hematemesis: what happens if you vomit blood

vomit blood It is something very alarming, although it does not always indicate a serious illness. Various causes can make expel some blood from the mouthfrom a gastric ulcer to an irritation in the stomach.

He color and amount of blood can give clues about the origin of the problem, but in any case it is necessary to see a doctor immediately for you to appreciate.

What is hematemesis (vomiting blood)?

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

Hematemesis means, then, vomiting blood and can be together with stomach contents or blood alone. The blood can be bright red when freshor of a Brown like coffee, 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, stomach, or first part of the small intestine (the duodenum).

What are the causes of hematemesis (vomiting blood)?

Vomiting blood can be due to various factors or diseases:

Peptic ulcer (bleeding): These are wounds (open sores) in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, often caused by a infection or by the continued use of certain medicinessuch 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 happen because of chronic acid refluxthe cexcessive consumption of alcohol or the continued use of medications such as aspirin and NSAIDs.Esophageal varices: are dilated veins in the esophagus that can bleed and cause hematemesis, especially in those people 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 bleeding disorders, which increase 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 having swallowed an object, having suffered a blow or even an injury after a medical procedure.Nose or mouth bleeding: In some cases, hematemesis is not due to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, but rather because the person have swallowed blood from a nose or mouth 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 see a doctor as soon as possible to identify the cause blood and apply appropriate treatment.

It is important pay attention to the amount and color of blood that is in the vomit to be able to explain it well to the doctor, since it will give him clues about what the origin is:

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

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