What should you know about faecal vomiting?

Vomit that is brown, contains material resembling stool, or has a strong faecal smell can occur when intestinal contents cannot move forward normally. A blockage may also cause cramping, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, and reduced bowel movements. The appearance alone cannot identify the cause. Severe infection, inflammation, or another digestive problem can produce vomiting with a different colour or odour. Vomiting itself can quickly lead to dehydration, with thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, weakness, or passing very little urine.

Seek emergency medical care now rather than waiting for the symptom to settle. Do not eat solid food, take laxatives, or try to make yourself vomit. Unless a clinician has told you otherwise, avoid drinking large amounts at once; small sips may be reasonable while help is being arranged, but stop if they trigger more vomiting. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or severely unwell. Tell the clinician when the vomiting began, its colour and smell, whether you have passed stool or gas, and any recent surgery or abdominal illness. Related reading: Vomiting, Gastroenteritis, Food Poisoning.

Call emergency services immediately for collapse, confusion, difficulty breathing, severe or constant abdominal pain, a hard or markedly swollen abdomen, blood in vomit, or signs of severe dehydration. Urgent assessment is also needed for repeated vomiting, fever with worsening pain, or inability to keep fluids down. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a serious medical condition can become unwell faster and should be assessed without delay.

Ask: Could this be a bowel blockage? Which examination or scan is needed? Should I avoid food and drink until I am assessed? How will dehydration be treated? What symptoms mean I should return immediately?