What should you know about drunk vomiting blood?

Blood may look bright red, dark brown, or like coffee grounds. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and repeated retching can tear small blood vessels near the lower oesophagus. More serious bleeding can come from an ulcer, severe inflammation, enlarged veins, or another problem in the upper digestive tract. Vomiting blood does not by itself identify cancer; conditions such as oesophageal cancer or stomach cancer are among several possible causes and require examination to distinguish them.

Stop drinking alcohol and do not drive yourself. Call emergency services or have someone take you to an emergency department. Sit upright or lie on your side if you feel faint or may vomit again. Do not eat or drink while waiting for medical advice, and do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory painkillers unless a clinician has specifically told you to. Keep a note of the amount and appearance of blood, recent medicines, and how much alcohol you drank.

Seek emergency help immediately, especially with dizziness, fainting, confusion, cold or clammy skin, fast breathing, severe belly or chest pain, black stools, or continued vomiting. These can accompany significant blood loss. Even a small streak of blood after retching should be assessed urgently because bleeding can recur or be hidden.

Ask what source of bleeding is suspected, whether blood tests or an endoscopy are needed, which medicines to avoid, and how to reduce the chance of another episode. Tell the clinician about previous ulcers, liver disease, regular alcohol use, and every medicine or supplement you take.