Vomiting Blood and Liver Disease

Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for another episode, even if the bleeding seems to have stopped.

Severe scarring of the liver can raise pressure in the portal vein. This may enlarge fragile veins in the oesophagus or stomach, called varices, which can rupture and bleed. Liver dysfunction may also reduce the proteins and platelets needed for clotting, making bleeding harder to stop.

Blood may look bright red, dark red, or like coffee grounds after contact with stomach acid. Other causes include an ulcer or a tear after forceful retching. Oesophageal cancer and stomach cancer can sometimes present with vomiting blood, but the symptom alone does not identify the cause.

Sit upright if possible, or lie on your side if faint or drowsy, and have another person stay nearby. Avoid food, drink, alcohol, and non-prescribed medicines while waiting for emergency instructions. Do not drive yourself if you feel weak, dizzy, confused, or short of breath.

Bring a medicine list and any liver diagnoses or recent procedure details. Tell the team about blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers, black stools, abdominal swelling, confusion, and the colour and approximate amount of blood.

Any vomiting of blood warrants urgent medical assessment. Call emergency services immediately for heavy or repeated bleeding, black tar-like stool, fainting, severe dizziness, clammy skin, rapid breathing, chest or abdominal pain, confusion, or unusual sleepiness. These features can accompany significant blood loss or worsening liver function.

Once the bleeding is controlled, ask where it came from, whether varices were found, what treatment was performed, and which medicines should be started, stopped, or reviewed. Clarify the follow-up plan for liver care, repeat endoscopy if needed, and the symptoms that should trigger an immediate return.