Hematemesis, or vomiting of blood, is a medical emergency that can be caused by bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Treatments vary depending on the cause, and a doctor may recommend an examination of the esophagus to find the source of bleeding. Transfusion may be necessary for patients who have lost a lot of blood.
Hematemesis is the formal term used to describe vomiting of blood. Vomiting blood is usually a sign of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract and can be caused by a number of things. It is usually treated as a medical emergency because it can be a complication of some very serious medical conditions and there are concerns about blood loss. Treatments for hematemesis vary depending on why the patient is vomiting blood in the first place. Someone who starts vomiting blood should be taken to the hospital.
When the blood is bright red, it means it has limited contact with digestive juices. The darker blood has been partially digested in the stomach, and in some cases, the hematemesis may look more like coffee grounds due to prolonged exposure to stomach acids. Patients may vomit blood on their own or pass blood with food. Sometimes, hematemesis is combined with melena, in which the stool is dark because it contains blood that has passed through the intestinal tract, and occasionally the patient experiences hematochezia, in which fresh blood is passed with the stool.
One reason a patient experiences hematemesis is because they have vomited so violently that there are tiny tears in the esophagus, such as when someone has had a virulent intestinal virus for several days. This condition can also be caused by tumors and ulcers. In a patient with hematemesis, a doctor may recommend an examination of the esophagus to look for the source of the bleeding, so the bleeding can be stopped and the doctor can develop a long-term treatment plan.
Sometimes, people think they are throwing up blood and are actually experiencing a nosebleed. Nosebleeds may drip down the back of the throat, causing a gag reflex and subsequent vomiting. Similarly, people may also pass blood from their lungs, which is an issue of concern, but is separate from hematemesis.
In a patient who has lost a lot of blood, transfusion will be recommended to boost blood volume. Diagnostic tests can be done to find out why the patient is vomiting blood. With a diagnosis, a doctor can make treatment recommendations that will address the problem in the long run. These recommendations can include surgery, medications, and dietary recommendations. The patient can be kept in the hospital until he stops vomiting blood and appears stable.
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