Vomiting blood

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When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic staff

Call 911 or emergency medical assistance
Call 911 if vomiting blood causes signs and symptoms of shock, such as:

  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness after standing up
  • Blurred vision
  • Fainting
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Cold, clammy, pale skin
  • Low urine output

Seek immediate medical attention
Ask someone to drive you to urgent care or the emergency room if you notice blood in your vomit or begin vomiting blood. It's important to quickly identify the underlying cause of the bleeding and prevent more severe blood loss and other complications.

Causes
References
  1. Hematemesis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  2. Bjorkman DJ. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage and occult gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  3. Bleeding in the digestive tract. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/bleeding/index.htm. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  4. Jutabha R, et al. Uncommon causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  5. Villa X. Approach to upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 11, 2011.
  6. Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 28, 2011.
MY00571 April 28, 2011

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