What should you know about blood through vomiting?

Bright red blood can indicate recent bleeding, while dark material that resembles coffee grounds may have stayed in the stomach longer. Forceful retching can irritate or tear the lining of the throat or upper digestive tract. Swallowed blood from a nosebleed or mouth injury can also appear in vomit. Conditions such as Food Poisoning, Gastroenteritis, or other digestive problems may cause repeated vomiting and irritation; the symptom itself does not identify which condition is present.

Tell the clinician the colour and amount, whether you have black stools, abdominal pain, dizziness, or a history of ulcers, liver disease, or medicines that affect clotting.

Contact urgent medical services for advice and avoid driving if you feel faint or weak. Sit upright or lie on your side if vomiting continues. Do not eat, drink alcohol, or take anti-inflammatory painkillers while waiting for advice unless a clinician tells you to. Keep a sample or photograph only if this can be done safely, and take your medicine list with you.

Seek emergency care for a large amount of blood, ongoing vomiting, fainting, confusion, cold or clammy skin, severe abdominal pain, trouble breathing, or black tar-like stools. Prompt assessment is also needed for anyone taking blood-thinning medicine or with known liver disease. Do not wait for the bleeding to recur before seeking help.

Ask where the bleeding may have started, whether tests are needed, which medicines to pause or continue, and how to manage nausea without worsening irritation.