Nausea and throwing up blood

Blood may look bright red, dark brown, or like coffee grounds. It can come from irritation or a tear after forceful vomiting, or from bleeding related to Gastritis, Acid Reflux or another upper digestive problem. Food Poisoning and Gastroenteritis can lead to repeated vomiting, which may irritate the lining. The appearance does not reliably show how serious the bleeding is, and swallowed blood from the mouth or nose can also be mistaken for blood from the stomach.

Stop eating and drinking large amounts while arranging urgent care. Sit upright or lie on your side if you feel weak or may vomit again. Do not drive yourself. Keep a sample or photograph if practical, and take a list of medicines, especially blood thinners or anti-inflammatory painkillers. Do not take extra medicines to treat the bleeding unless a clinician tells you to.

Call emergency services immediately if vomiting blood is accompanied by faintness, confusion, clammy skin, severe abdominal pain, rapid breathing, black stools, or difficulty staying awake. Emergency help is also needed when the bleeding is ongoing or more than a small streak. Even if it stops, same-day assessment is needed to identify and treat the source.

Ask where the blood may have come from, whether tests or a camera examination are needed, and which medicines should be paused or continued. Tell the clinician when it began, how often you vomited, what the blood looked like, and whether you have abdominal pain or dark stools.