Dark red blood in vomit

Arrange emergency care now, even if there was only one episode or the person feels better. Do not eat, drink or drive while waiting for medical guidance.

Dark red vomited blood may come from the oesophagus, stomach or the first part of the small intestine. Causes include ulcers, irritation of the stomach lining, a tear after forceful retching, and enlarged veins linked with liver disease. Blood swallowed from the mouth or nose is another possibility.

Oesophageal cancer can present with bleeding, particularly when tissue in the oesophagus is damaged. Stomach cancer can also present with upper digestive bleeding. Many other causes exist, so the colour cannot show whether cancer is present or reveal how serious the blood loss is.

Call local emergency services or have another adult take you to an emergency department. If it can be done without delaying care, describe the colour and approximate amount, and report black stool, abdominal pain, recent retching, liver disease or nosebleeds. A photograph may help the clinical team, but do not collect or handle vomit.

Take your medicine list or packets with you. Point out blood thinners, aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers because they may affect bleeding or its treatment. Do not stop a prescribed blood thinner on your own unless the emergency clinician tells you to do so.

An ambulance is especially important when vomiting continues or there is fainting, confusion, breathlessness, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, a fast heartbeat, cold clammy skin, marked paleness or black tar-like stool. These features may accompany ongoing bleeding or reduced circulation.

Keep an actively vomiting or drowsy person on their side and stay nearby until help arrives. Do not give food, drink or tablets by mouth, since urgent procedures or airway protection may be needed.

Once immediate care is underway, ask what source is suspected, whether an endoscopy will be used to find or treat it, and how medicines will be managed. Clarify what follow-up is needed and which recurrent symptoms require returning immediately.