What should you know about bright red blood in puke?

Blood can be swallowed from a nosebleed, mouth injury, or irritated throat, then appear during vomiting. Repeated forceful retching can irritate or tear the lining near the junction of the throat and stomach. Blood may also come from an upper digestive-tract problem, including acid reflux-related irritation or another source of inflammation. The appearance may be bright red, dark, or resemble coffee grounds; none of these appearances should be used to judge the seriousness alone. Coughing conditions such as Acute Bronchitis or Asthma can sometimes cause blood from the airways, which may be mistaken for vomited blood.

Stop eating until you have received medical advice, and take small sips only if a clinician says this is suitable. Note the colour and amount, whether retching came first, and whether you have abdominal pain, black stool, dizziness, or weakness. Bring a list of medicines, particularly blood-thinning medicines and anti-inflammatory painkillers. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint. A clinician may check your circulation, blood tests, and the upper digestive tract to locate the source.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department for ongoing or heavy vomiting of blood, faintness, confusion, cold or clammy skin, severe abdominal pain, black stool, breathing difficulty, or marked weakness. Even a small amount needs urgent advice if you take blood thinners, have known liver disease, or the bleeding follows repeated vomiting.

Could this blood have come from my mouth, nose, lungs, or digestive tract? Do my medicines increase bleeding risk? What tests may locate the source? What should I do if vomiting or dark stool returns?