Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs Vomiting bloodUpdated: 2022-03-18DefinitionVomiting blood (hematemesis) refers to significant amounts of blood in your vomit. Small streaks or flecks of blood in material you spit up may come from the teeth, mouth or throat and isn't usually considered vomiting blood. Blood in vomit may be bright red, or it may appear black or dark brown like coffee grounds. Swallowed blood, as from a nosebleed or forceful coughing, may cause bloody vomit, but truly vomiting blood usually means something more serious and requires immediate medical attention. Bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine) from peptic (stomach or duodenal) ulcers or torn blood vessels is a common cause of vomiting blood. Call 911 or your local emergency number if vomiting blood causes dizziness after standing, rapid, shallow breathing or other signs of shock.CausesVomiting blood may be caused by: Acute liver failure AspirinBenign tumors of the stomach or esophagusCirrhosis (scarring of the liver)Defects in gastrointestinal tract blood vesselsDieulafoy's lesion (an artery that protrudes through the stomach wall)Duodenitis (inflammation in the first part of the small intestine)Esophageal cancer Esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the esophagus)Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)Gastric erosions (breakdown of tissue lining the stomach) due to H. pylori, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or other medicationsGastric varices (enlarged veins in the stomach) due to liver failure or portal hypertensionGastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)Gastropathy (bleeding due to dilated blood vessels in the stomach lining)Mallory-Weiss tear (tear in the esophagus associated with pressure caused by vomiting or coughing)Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsPancreatic cancer Pancreatitis Peptic ulcer Portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the portal vein)Prolonged or vigorous vomitingStomach cancer In infants and young children, vomiting blood may also result from: Birth defectsBlood-clotting disordersMilk allergy Swallowed blood, such as from the nose or from the mother during birthSwallowed objectVitamin K deficiencyWhen to see a doctorCall 911 or emergency medical assistance Call 911 if vomiting blood causes signs and symptoms of severe blood loss or 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 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, including death. © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use