What Causes Black Vomit?

Black vomit is usually caused by bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The bleeding is a sign of an underlying medical problem. Patients who vomit black or dark brown blood, bright red blood, or blood that looks like coffee grounds should see a doctor as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment. Occasionally black vomit can be caused by something a patient has eaten, as in the case of a patient who eats a dark food like chocolate cake and then feels sick. If there is no dietary explanation, however, the dark vomit may be a sign of a medical emergency.

When people experience bleeds in the upper gastrointestinal tract, blood can enter the stomach and the enzymes in the stomach break it down, turning it dark brown or black. This causes black vomit. Some reasons for bleeds can include prolonged vomiting leading to tears in the esophagus, tumors, kidney disease, alcoholism, a ruptured ulcer, internal trauma, and hemorrhagic diseases like yellow fever. Certain medications can also contribute to the development of bleeds, especially when combined with other drugs or used with herbal supplements.

Patients rarely experience black vomit alone. They may also feel generally nauseous, have diarrhea, and experience other symptoms. Feeling faint and disoriented and looking pale are significant causes of concern, as they may indicate that a patient is losing blood internally. When someone starts experiencing black vomit, it is advisable to call a doctor, describe the symptoms and the patient's recent history, and get advice about when and where to seek medical attention.

In a hospital or clinic, a patient can be evaluated with an endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract, along with medical imaging studies and other tests. This information will be used to find the source of the bleeding and learn more about why it is happening. Treatments can include surgery and medications, depending on the cause of the bleeding, how much blood the patient has lost, and the patient's general condition.

Some people are at increased risk for bleeds in their upper gastrointestinal tracts. They should be alert to signs of a developing bleed and follow any directions they may have received from their physicians. Leaving a bleed untreated can have serious consequences for a patient, including the development of a life threatening medical emergency. Patients should also be aware that if a bleed was experienced in the past, a subsequent episode may have a different cause and a different approach to treatment may be required.

It isn't normal to have black vomit after drinking, but it isn't always a medical emergency. Vomiting blood, which is what causes the dark brown or black color, is also known as hematemesis. When determining whether you have a medical emergency on your hands, you need to consider how much blood you're throwing up and how dark it is.

If it only has a few streaks or if it is bright red, it could be something as simple as a nosebleed far back in your nasal cavity that dripped into your stomach. If the blood looks like coffee grounds, it's dried and has probably been in your system for a while. No matter what color the blood is, if there is a lot of it, you may have a serious bleed in your gastrointestinal tract.

Black vomit, which is called coffee ground vomitus in the medical world, must be diagnosed and treated by medical professionals. Whether you talk to your primary care provider or an emergency doctor, he or she will ask questions about your symptoms, overall health history, and any medications you're taking. Based on your answers, your doctor will order testing to find the location and cause of the bleeding. Typically, he or she will start with x-rays and blood tests. There may be other tests as well, though.

A person doesn't always vomit before death and those who do vomit don't always have black vomit. Black vomit before a sudden death may happen if the person has had a bleed happening within the gastrointestinal tract for some time without realizing it. If you or someone you love has black vomit, it is a good idea to head to the emergency room. This is especially true if there are other symptoms. Call an ambulance if there are any of the following symptoms present.

There are a wide variety of diseases or other situations that may cause someone to vomit before death.

An aortic aneurysm occurs when the aorta suddenly bulges or swells out. Vomiting is one of the early warning signs, especially if it is coupled with extreme nausea and pain that came on very suddenly.

Some types of cancer may cause someone to vomit before they pass away. Typically, though, cancer itself is not the reason the person vomits, unless it is stomach cancer. Other reasons that cancer patients may vomit before death include pain medications, the muscles relaxing, or organs reacting to a buildup of cancer toxins.

Vomiting is only present in about 7% of cardiac arrest patients, but the number is large enough that it is considered a direct warning sign of cardiac arrest. Vomiting typically sets in about 90 minutes before other symptoms do. If you have been vomiting and suddenly feel chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, call 911.

Someone who drinks too much alcohol or who overdoses on drugs may vomit in their sleep. Without immediate treatment, the person can choke on the vomit and die, if the drugs or alcohol itself does not cause death. If you suspect someone has overdosed on drugs, call 911, even if they aren't vomiting. If you or someone you know is vomiting after a night of heavy drinking, stay with them and make sure they sleep on their side to prevent choking. If the vomit is a large quantity or if it is black, seek out emergency care.

If someone experiences sudden trauma, they may vomit or soil themselves before death. Violent trauma, such as a car accident, a major fall, or being a victim of an assault are common examples. When the body is going into shock, the brain often loses control of bodily functions.

Black vomit, also known as melena, is a symptom of a medical condition in which the vomit contains digested blood. The vomit may appear dark or tarry in color and may have an offensive odor. The presence of blood in the vomit can indicate a serious medical issue, and seeking medical attention is recommended.

Common causes of black vomit include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, tumors, esophageal varices, Mallory-Weiss tears, and ingestion of certain medications or toxins. Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common cause and can be caused by trauma, inflammation, or the use of certain medications. Ingestion of certain medications or toxins can also cause black vomit.

Symptoms associated with black vomit include dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and dark-colored stools. Additional symptoms may be present depending on the underlying cause. For example, if the cause is a Mallory-Weiss tear, coughing up of blood may also be present. If the cause is ulcers, symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, and bloating may also be present.

It is important to seek medical attention if black vomit is present, as this can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Additionally, if any other symptoms are present, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or dark-colored stools, it is important to seek medical attention.

Black vomit is typically diagnosed through a physical examination and a review of the patient’s medical history. Additionally, blood tests, x-rays, endoscopy, and other imaging tests may be used to diagnose the underlying cause of the black vomit. If a medication or toxin is suspected to be the cause, a toxicology screen may be done. Additionally, a stool sample may be taken to look for the presence of blood.