Almost everyone suffers abdominal discomfort now and then. If you develop abdominal pain, you might be tempted to wait it out to see if it improves on its own.
However, some types of abdominal pain necessitate treatment right away — and there are a few accompanying symptoms that mean you shouldn’t ignore it. One of those symptoms is bloody vomit, or hematemesis.
Vomiting is the regurgitation of stomach contents, and it often comes along with abdominal pain. If you notice blood in your vomit, it could be a sign of a serious medical emergency.
As an abdominal specialist and board-certified general surgeon, Balaguru Sambandam, MD, FACS, can help. He evaluates, diagnoses, and treats all types of abdominal conditions and related symptoms at North Tarrant Health Providers in Fort Worth, Texas.
Read on to learn why blood may appear in vomit, and find out what you should do if it happens to you.
If you notice blood in your vomit, it’s normal to be worried. Bloody vomit should always be taken seriously, but it’s important to note that it isn’t always caused by a serious underlying condition.
Sometimes, unrelated issues can cause bloody vomit. If you recently had a mouth injury, oral surgery, or even a nosebleed, blood could make its way to your digestive tract and be regurgitated in vomit.
However, anything more than a small amount of blood in your vomit could indicate that you have bleeding somewhere in your upper digestive system, such as your esophagus, stomach, or the upper part of your intestines.
Vomit with significant amounts of blood can be caused by:
These conditions can cause serious and life-threatening complications, and require prompt medical care.
Never ignore bloody vomit. If you see blood in your vomit, determine your course of action based on how much blood there is, along with any other symptoms you’re experiencing.
Very small amounts of blood in vomit after a nosebleed or other minor incident may not require immediate medical care, but you should still call Dr. Sambandam to discuss your symptoms.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have bloody vomit along with any of the following symptoms:
Not sure if your symptoms warrant medical care? Don’t hesitate to get checked out. Contact our team at North Tarrant Health Providers by calling 817-904-4165 today, or use our easy online booking feature to request an appointment any time.
