Why do People Vomit Blood? Causes of Blood in Vomit

Vomiting blood, also called hematemesis, refers to the presence of substantial amounts of blood in the vomit.

Vomiting blood is a very scary experience and will cause many people a great deal of concern. If you or a loved one have vomited blood recently, you should be aware that this can be a sign of serious illness. You should visit a doctor right away to address your medical issues immediately.

What illnesses or issues can cause a person to vomit blood? There are many potential causes – some of the major ones can include,

• Liver Failure
• Aspirin
• Other liver conditions such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
• Esophagitis or other Esophageal conditions
• Stomach cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Gastric erosions
• Gastric varices
• And many other possible conditions

As you can see, there is not only one possible issue or area of concern when addressing blood in vomit. Instead, there are many potential causes for this condition, and therefore anyone afflicted with this issue should seek a doctor’s advice as soon as possible.

In children, the vomiting of blood may also be caused by other issues. Common causes of bloody vomit in children include birth defects, milk allergies, or even a swallowed object.

One should also be aware that in adults, blood streaks in vomit can often be caused by swallowed blood. For example, for those who experience nosebleeds, some amount of blood in vomit would be expected.

Be aware that if you are experiencing signs of shock in addition to vomiting blood, you should call 911 immediately. Signs of shock include shallow breathing, blurred vision, fainting, confusion, and nausea.