What should you know about yellow vomit with blood?

Yellow fluid is often bile, which can appear when the stomach is empty or after repeated vomiting. Blood may look bright red, dark brown or like coffee grounds, depending on how long it has been exposed to stomach contents. Possible sources include irritation or a tear after forceful vomiting, an ulcer, inflammation, medication effects, or bleeding higher in the oesophagus or stomach. Oesophageal Cancer and Stomach Cancer are among conditions clinicians may consider, but vomiting blood does not by itself identify the cause.

The amount can be difficult to judge, and dehydration or blood loss may develop even when the episode seems brief.

Arrange urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for the symptom to recur. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or weak. Avoid alcohol and anti-inflammatory pain medicines unless a clinician tells you otherwise, and do not eat or drink large amounts while awaiting instructions if you may need a procedure. Note the colour and approximate amount, when it happened, other symptoms, medicines, and any history of ulcers, liver disease or cancer. Bring this information to the clinician.

Call emergency services now for fainting, confusion, cold or clammy skin, rapid breathing, severe weakness, heavy or repeated bleeding, black stools, severe abdominal or chest pain, or inability to keep fluids down. People receiving cancer treatment should contact their oncology team urgently as well, because medicines, low blood counts or treatment-related irritation can change the risk. Do not use the absence of pain to decide that bleeding is minor.

Where is the bleeding likely to be coming from? Do I need blood tests, a camera examination or imaging? Which medicines should I stop or continue? How will dehydration or blood loss be treated? What warning signs should prompt another emergency call?