Vomiting blood and blood in urine: what to know

Blood in vomit can come from the upper digestive tract or from swallowed blood, while blood in urine can arise anywhere from the kidneys to the bladder or prostate. A kidney infection or kidney stone may cause urinary blood with side or back pain, nausea, and vomiting. A urinary tract infection may cause burning or frequent urination. Prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia can affect urinary symptoms. Bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and sickle cell disease are among other conditions a clinician may consider; these symptoms do not establish a diagnosis.

The two findings may have one cause or separate causes. Note whether the blood is bright, dark, mixed with clots, or only seen on testing, and whether urine output has changed.

Arrange urgent medical assessment today. Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory painkillers unless a clinician has advised them, and do not stop prescribed blood thinners without instructions. Sip fluids only if fully alert and able to keep them down. Bring a medicine list and, if possible, a photo of the vomit or urine. Tell the clinician about pain, fever, urinary blockage, recent injury, and bleeding disorders.

Call emergency services for heavy or repeated bleeding, vomiting that will not stop, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, severe flank or abdominal pain, inability to pass urine, clots blocking urine flow, fever with shaking chills, or difficulty staying awake. Emergency assessment is also needed after significant injury or if you take anticoagulant medicine and are bleeding.

Ask whether urine testing, blood tests, imaging, or a specialist examination is needed. Explain when each type of bleeding began, whether the episodes coincide, the urine colour, clots, pain location, fever, urinary symptoms, and every medicine or supplement you take.