What should you know about blood vomiting in cirrhosis?

Scarring of the liver can increase pressure in veins carrying blood through the liver. This may enlarge veins in the oesophagus or stomach, and their walls can bleed. Cirrhosis can also reduce the liver's production of clotting proteins, so bleeding may be harder to control. Blood may be bright red or dark and may look like coffee grounds. Black, tarry stools, light-headedness, or increasing sleepiness can accompany the bleed.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department immediately, even if the bleeding stops. Sit upright or on your side if drowsy, avoid food and drink, and do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, or unprescribed remedies. Bring your medicine list and tell the team about liver disease, previous bleeding, and any blood-thinning medicine.

Treat any blood vomited with cirrhosis as urgent. Emergency help is especially critical with repeated blood, black stools, fainting, confusion, rapid breathing, severe weakness, or pale clammy skin. Do not wait for a routine liver appointment or drive if you feel unwell.

Ask which vein or stomach problem may be involved, how bleeding will be controlled, whether your medicines affect clotting, and how to reduce the chance of another episode.