Throwing up blood is usually a sign of what?

Question

My boyfriend got sick this morning and there was nothing but blood. (Sorry this is a little gross) What could it mean?

Answer 1

The following information from MedlinePlus should be helpful. If "there was nothing but blood" then it seems that the bleeding is copious and he should be seen in ER.

Frequently, men disdain seeking medical attention. If there is blood mixed with vomit, or "coffe ground" looking vomit (semi-digested blood) then he can probably be seen ASAP by his family physician. Meanwhile, he should not take aspirin (may irritate GI tract and cause more bleeding).

Hematemesis - vomiting blood, is a regurgitation of blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract, which includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus (the feeding tube that transmits food and secretions from mouth to stomach), stomach, and small intestine.

Common Causes
o-- Prolonged and vigorous retching (may cause a tear in the small blood vessels of the throat or the esophagus, producing streaks of blood in the vomit)
o-- Bleeding ulcer located in the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus
o-- Irritation or erosion of the lining of the esophagus or stomach
o-- Bleeding esophageal varices
o-- Vascular malformations of the GI tract
o-- Tumors of the stomach or esophagus
o-- Esophagitis
o-- Gastritis
o-- Ingested blood (for example, swallowed after a nosebleed)
o-- Gastroenteritis

The doctor will examine you and ask questions such as:

- Time pattern
o--- When did this begin?
o--- Has it ever occurred before?
o--- Did it occur after retching or vomiting?

- Quality
o--- How much blood was in the vomit?
o--- Was the vomit entirely blood?
o--- Was the blood bright red, dark red, or black?
o--- Were there clots?

- Aggravating factors
o--- Has there been a recent nosebleed?
o--- Has there been recent vigorous vomiting?
o--- Has there been a recent episode of gastroenteritis (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain)?
o--- Has there been a recent episode of coughing?

- Other
o--- What other symptoms are also present?
o--- Is there bleeding from the nose, rectum, or elsewhere?
o--- Is there abdominal pain?
o--- Is there blood in the stools or black stools?
o--- Is there weakness or fatigue?
o--- Is there coughing or coughing up of blood?
- Additional important information
o--- What medications are being taken?
o--- Is the patient a drinker of alcohol or smoker?
o--- Have there been any recent injuries to the nose, mouth, or abdomen?
o--- Have there been any recent surgical procedures?
o--- Have there been any recent dental procedures such as tooth extractions?
o--- Is there a history of bulimia or self-induced vomiting?
o--- Is there a history of ulcers, esophageal varices, or liver problems?
o--- Has the patient ever turned yellow (jaundice)?
o--- Is there a history of problems with blood clotting?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

-Endoscopy (EGD)
-X-rays
-Nasogastric tube (nose-to-stomach tube) placement to check for blood
-Blood work, such as a CBC (blood count), blood clotting values, and liver function tests

Intervention:
If there is vomiting of large quantities of blood, emergency intervention should be anticipated. This may include intravenous fluids, medications, blood transfusions, or other treatments. Medications to decrease stomach acid may be prescribed. Bleeding that doesn't stop may require surgery.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003118.htm

Answer 2

Throwing Up Blood

Answer 3

He most likely has an ulcer . He needs it to be confirmed asap so he can take the relevant treatment . It can be diagnosed by an endoscopy of the stomach .
He can also have esophageal varices , which are ruptured veins of the foodpipe , this is slightly more dangerous , it happens sometimes in people with liver disease .
Also , if there is pain , he might have a tear of the esophagus , especially if he had a severe drinking binge the previous day .

HOWEVER
Sometimes people swallow blood that is coming from a bleeding nose or mouth , and then afterwards they vomit it up and they might think it's coming from the stomach . If he had a bleeding nose or mouth or tooth , then this might be the case .

Answer 4

Could be an ulcer. If someone is throwing up blood (not coughing blood), it usually means that there's severe irritation/bleeding between the mouth and intestinal tract. That's a fairly short distance, so it usually results from swallowing something sharp or irritating. He should seek medical attention immediately - emergency room if it's happened again, or doctor's office within the next day or so.

Answer 5

It could mean some different things...but it definetly means you need to seek medical attention. Throwing up blood is not normal or common. Really I wouldn't wait to get a mayby answer from someone here...I would just head to the Dr. And there is no need to get all the what ifs when you can just find out what the cause is at the Dr.

I do hope he gets better though.

Answer 6

Well my boyfriend has that high blood pressure. So I tell you true story happened... I was texting to my boyfriend then something happened he didn't answer back like 15 or 20 min ago then I was not sure then after day later I walk by him I saw he not feeling well or something wrong with my boyfriend. Then he told me that he just have throw up blood or something else from last night. But I didn't know what happened to him so later on I was finger out how cause he has so. I found an answer in website. So i getting so he have high blood pressure. So thank you for listen me for my truth story.

Answer 7

I know a symptom of Malaria is Vomitting Blood... but it is not common in the United states....

Answer 8

COuld be a number of things ulcer, cancer. It is best diagnosed by a doctor.

Answer 9

most likely a bleeding ulcer, and he could concievably bleed to death. He needs to go to the emergency room NOW.

Answer 10

bleeding ulcer or if he coughed to much he could have ripped his stomach lining.