Hematemesis: Difference between revisions

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= Hematemesis =
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
[[File:Hiatus hernia on CT scan.jpg|thumb|Medical illustration showing hematemesis.|alt=Hematemesis]]
| name            = Hematemesis
 
| image          = [[File:Hiatus_hernia_on_CT_scan.jpg|250px]]
| caption        = CT scan showing a hiatus hernia, a possible cause of hematemesis
| field          = [[Gastroenterology]]
| symptoms        = [[Vomiting]] of [[blood]]
| complications  = [[Hypovolemic shock]], [[anemia]]
| onset          = Sudden
| duration        = Variable
| causes          = [[Peptic ulcer disease]], [[esophageal varices]], [[gastritis]], [[Mallory-Weiss tear]], [[esophageal cancer]]
| risks          = [[Alcohol use disorder]], [[liver cirrhosis]], [[NSAID]] use
| diagnosis      = [[Endoscopy]], [[blood tests]], [[imaging]]
| differential    = [[Hemoptysis]], [[epistaxis]], [[melena]]
| treatment      = [[Intravenous fluids]], [[blood transfusion]], [[endoscopic therapy]], [[proton pump inhibitors]]
| medication      = [[Proton pump inhibitors]], [[vasopressin]], [[octreotide]]
| prognosis      = Depends on cause and severity
| frequency      = Common
}}
'''Hematemesis''' refers to the vomiting of blood, a serious symptom that can indicate a variety of underlying health conditions. It involves the expulsion of blood from the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which may appear bright red or have a coffee-ground appearance due to partial digestion by stomach acids.
'''Hematemesis''' refers to the vomiting of blood, a serious symptom that can indicate a variety of underlying health conditions. It involves the expulsion of blood from the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which may appear bright red or have a coffee-ground appearance due to partial digestion by stomach acids.
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== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Hematemesis can result from several conditions, including:
Hematemesis can result from several conditions, including:
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* [[Mallory-Weiss tear]]: A tear in the mucous membrane at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, typically caused by severe vomiting.
* [[Mallory-Weiss tear]]: A tear in the mucous membrane at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, typically caused by severe vomiting.
* [[Gastrointestinal bleeding]]: Bleeding anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract.
* [[Gastrointestinal bleeding]]: Bleeding anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
Besides the presence of blood in vomit, symptoms accompanying hematemesis may include:
Besides the presence of blood in vomit, symptoms accompanying hematemesis may include:
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* [[Paleness]]
* [[Paleness]]
* Rapid heart rate
* Rapid heart rate
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosing the cause of hematemesis involves a series of tests, including:
Diagnosing the cause of hematemesis involves a series of tests, including:
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* [[Endoscopy]] to visually examine the upper GI tract for sources of bleeding.
* [[Endoscopy]] to visually examine the upper GI tract for sources of bleeding.
* Imaging tests, such as [[CT scan]]s or [[X-ray]]s, to identify internal bleeding.
* Imaging tests, such as [[CT scan]]s or [[X-ray]]s, to identify internal bleeding.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment for hematemesis focuses on stopping the bleeding and addressing the underlying cause. This may involve:
Treatment for hematemesis focuses on stopping the bleeding and addressing the underlying cause. This may involve:
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* Endoscopic therapies to control bleeding, such as banding or sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.
* Endoscopic therapies to control bleeding, such as banding or sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.
* Surgery in severe cases to repair the source of bleeding.
* Surgery in severe cases to repair the source of bleeding.
== Complications ==
== Complications ==
If not treated promptly, hematemesis can lead to significant blood loss, leading to [[anemia]], shock, or even death.
If not treated promptly, hematemesis can lead to significant blood loss, leading to [[anemia]], shock, or even death.
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Preventive measures depend on the underlying cause but may include managing chronic conditions, avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and reducing alcohol consumption.
Preventive measures depend on the underlying cause but may include managing chronic conditions, avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and reducing alcohol consumption.
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Gastrointestinal bleeding]]
* [[Gastrointestinal bleeding]]
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* [[Gastritis]]
* [[Gastritis]]
* [[Esophageal varices]]
* [[Esophageal varices]]
== External Links ==
== External Links ==
* [https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vomiting-blood/basics/definition/sym-20050732 Mayo Clinic - Vomiting Blood]
* [https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vomiting-blood/basics/definition/sym-20050732 Mayo Clinic - Vomiting Blood]
* [https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastrointestinal-bleeding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Gastrointestinal Bleeding]
* [https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastrointestinal-bleeding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Gastrointestinal Bleeding]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Digestive system and abdomen]]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Digestive system and abdomen]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
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Latest revision as of 02:24, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Hematemesis
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Vomiting of blood
Complications Hypovolemic shock, anemia
Onset Sudden
Duration Variable
Types N/A
Causes Peptic ulcer disease, esophageal varices, gastritis, Mallory-Weiss tear, esophageal cancer
Risks Alcohol use disorder, liver cirrhosis, NSAID use
Diagnosis Endoscopy, blood tests, imaging
Differential diagnosis Hemoptysis, epistaxis, melena
Prevention N/A
Treatment Intravenous fluids, blood transfusion, endoscopic therapy, proton pump inhibitors
Medication Proton pump inhibitors, vasopressin, octreotide
Prognosis Depends on cause and severity
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


Hematemesis refers to the vomiting of blood, a serious symptom that can indicate a variety of underlying health conditions. It involves the expulsion of blood from the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which may appear bright red or have a coffee-ground appearance due to partial digestion by stomach acids.

Causes[edit]

Hematemesis can result from several conditions, including:

  • Peptic ulcers: Open sores on the inner lining of the stomach or upper small intestine.
  • Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining.
  • Esophageal varices: Swollen veins in the lower part of the esophagus, often associated with liver disease.
  • Mallory-Weiss tear: A tear in the mucous membrane at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, typically caused by severe vomiting.
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding: Bleeding anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms[edit]

Besides the presence of blood in vomit, symptoms accompanying hematemesis may include:

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosing the cause of hematemesis involves a series of tests, including:

  • Blood tests to assess overall health and clotting function.
  • Endoscopy to visually examine the upper GI tract for sources of bleeding.
  • Imaging tests, such as CT scans or X-rays, to identify internal bleeding.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for hematemesis focuses on stopping the bleeding and addressing the underlying cause. This may involve:

  • Medications to reduce stomach acid and protect the GI tract.
  • Endoscopic therapies to control bleeding, such as banding or sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.
  • Surgery in severe cases to repair the source of bleeding.

Complications[edit]

If not treated promptly, hematemesis can lead to significant blood loss, leading to anemia, shock, or even death.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures depend on the underlying cause but may include managing chronic conditions, avoiding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and reducing alcohol consumption.

See Also[edit]

External Links[edit]

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