What should you know about hiccups and vomiting blood?

Blood in vomit may look bright red, dark brown or like coffee grounds. It can come from the food pipe, stomach or nearby upper digestive tract. Causes include irritation after forceful retching, an ulcer, inflammation, enlarged veins or another source of bleeding. Hiccups may occur alongside irritation, reflux or stomach distension, but they do not explain away the blood.

Vomiting blood is not a way to identify a particular cancer. Conditions such as oesophageal or stomach cancer can sometimes involve bleeding, but many non-cancer causes are possible. The priority is to assess the bleeding and your circulation.

Seek urgent medical care now, especially if the bleeding is more than a small streak, returns, or comes with dizziness, weakness, black stools or abdominal pain. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint. Avoid food, alcohol and anti-inflammatory pain medicines until a clinician advises you; take medication packaging or a list with you.

Call emergency services immediately for heavy bleeding, fainting, confusion, pale clammy skin, rapid breathing, severe chest or abdominal pain, or difficulty staying awake. These can indicate significant blood loss or shock. Even if the bleeding stops, arrange urgent assessment rather than waiting for another episode.

Where might the blood be coming from? Do I need blood tests, a camera examination or imaging? Could any medicine be increasing bleeding risk? What should I do if the hiccups or bleeding return?