Hematemesis (Vomiting Blood): Causes, What It Is & Treatment

What is hematemesis?

Hematemesis means vomiting blood. You may vomit blood along with your stomach contents, or blood alone. It may be fresh and bright red, or older, darker and coagulated, like coffee grounds. Hematemesis is a sign of internal bleeding from the upper portion of your digestive tract — the esophagus, stomach and first portion of your small intestine called the duodenum. If you're vomiting blood, you should seek medical attention right away.

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Is vomiting blood very serious?

There are many possible causes of blood in your vomit. Some are very serious. Healthcare providers can’t tell how serious it is until they investigate and diagnose the cause. For this reason, healthcare providers treat all cases of hematemesis as emergencies until they know better, and you should too.

Is a little blood in vomit normal?

Blood in your vomit is never normal. A small amount may indicate a more benign cause. For example, you might see a small amount of blood in your vomit simply from the trauma of vomiting. But there are many other reasons why hematemesis can occur. It’s important to call your healthcare provider if you’re vomiting blood at all.

Can vomiting blood cause death?

Vomiting itself is unlikely to cause death, but severe blood loss can. If you’re bleeding a lot, you’re at risk of going into hypovolemic shock, which can cause organ failure and death. Fortunately, this is a rare event. But if you're vomiting a lot of blood, you should seek treatment right away. You may need treatment beyond just stopping the bleeding.