Throwing up blood and black poop: what to do

Black, sticky, unusually smelly stools may contain digested blood. Blood in vomit can be red or resemble coffee grounds. Together, these signs can occur when bleeding is higher in the digestive tract, including with gastritis or a peptic ulcer. Helicobacter Pylori Infection is one possible contributor to ulcer disease, but these symptoms do not prove any single condition. Iron tablets and some foods can darken stools, yet black stools alongside bloody vomit should not be explained away without clinical assessment. Loss of blood may cause weakness, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, or fainting.

Contact emergency medical services or go to an emergency department now. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or weak. Avoid alcohol and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen unless a clinician has directed otherwise. Do not eat a large meal or take extra medicines to cover the symptom. Keep a list of medicines, including aspirin or blood thinners, and mention iron tablets, recent vomiting, abdominal pain, or previous ulcers. If safe, note the colour and amount of vomit and stool.

Treat this as an emergency if bleeding continues, you pass a lot of black stool, feel faint, become confused, have severe abdominal pain, cold clammy skin, or trouble breathing. Even one episode of bloody vomit with black stools warrants urgent assessment rather than watchful waiting. Clinicians may check circulation and blood counts and investigate the source of bleeding.

Could an ulcer, gastritis, or infection be causing this bleeding? Should I stop or change any medicine? Do I need an urgent camera test of the upper digestive tract? Which symptoms should prompt emergency help after I leave?