What should you know about nausea and vomiting blood?

Blood in vomit may appear bright red, dark brown, or like coffee grounds. It can come from bleeding in the oesophagus, stomach, or upper intestine. Causes include irritation from forceful vomiting, ulcers, inflammation, reflux-related damage, or medicines that affect bleeding.

Vomiting blood can be a presentation of oesophageal cancer or stomach cancer, but it also has many non-cancer causes. The symptom alone cannot identify its cause. A healthcare team may check circulation, blood tests, medicines, and the digestive tract, sometimes using an endoscopic examination.

Seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a routine appointment. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or weak. Note the colour and approximate amount of blood, when it started, whether stools look black, and any pain or dizziness. Take your medicine list and tell clinicians about blood thinners, anti-inflammatory pain medicines, alcohol use, and known liver or digestive problems.

Avoid eating or drinking large amounts while arranging care unless a clinician gives different instructions. Do not take additional pain medicines or anti-inflammatory tablets to manage the symptom without professional advice.

Call emergency services immediately for ongoing or heavy bleeding, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, fast breathing, cold clammy skin, severe abdominal or chest pain, or trouble breathing. These signs can indicate significant blood loss or another serious problem.

Ask where the bleeding may have come from, which medicines should be paused or continued, what tests are planned, and which symptoms should trigger a return to emergency care.