Color of vomit due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

Updated on May 22, 2025

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The color of vomit from upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be bright red or coffee-colored liquid. Because if the bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract exceeds 200ml, it can lead to vomiting blood. At this time, the vomited blood combines with stomach acid, turning into a coffee-colored liquid. If the bleeding is massive and does not have enough time to mix thoroughly with the stomach acid, it might result in the vomiting of bright red blood. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is an emergency in gastroenterology, and it requires prompt medical treatment. It's also crucial to thoroughly complete an endoscopic examination to make an accurate diagnosis. If necessary, hemostatic treatment can be performed under gastroscopy.

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Written by Wang Li Bing

Intensive Care Medicine Department

51sec

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Upper digestive tract bleeding vomit color

The color of vomit in upper gastrointestinal bleeding primarily relates to the amount of bleeding and the speed of bleeding. If the patient has minor bleeding, the gastric acid may process it, resulting in the vomiting of a coffee-ground-like substance, indicating a smaller amount of bleeding. If the patient has substantial bleeding at a rapid pace, surpassing the gastric acid processing, fresh blood may often be vomited, indicating significant bleeding and a poor prognosis. After upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. In clinical settings, patients are usually given proton pump inhibitors and somatostatin analog drugs to stop the bleeding, and it is vital to promptly conduct a thorough gastroscopy to ascertain the causes of gastrointestinal bleeding and so forth.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

48sec

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The cause of vomiting coffee-colored substances due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding results in the vomiting of coffee-colored blood because the combination of fresh blood with stomach acid forms a coffee-colored liquid. If the bleeding volume exceeds 200mL in a short period, coffee-colored vomit may occur. It is necessary to seek prompt medical attention at a regular hospital’s gastroenterology or emergency department. Adequate diagnosis with an electronic gastroscopy is essential to identify the source and location of the bleeding, and active endoscopic treatment should be undertaken. Additionally, it is crucial to actively replenish fluids, correct the loss of body water, and restore blood volume. Treatment should also include the use of proton pump inhibitors and gastric mucosal protectants.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

51sec

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Is an upper gastrointestinal perforation serious?

Upper gastrointestinal perforation is most commonly due to gastric perforation caused by gastric ulcers and is considered an emergency in clinical settings. Following the perforation, the contents of the stomach leak into the abdominal cavity, causing diffuse peritonitis and potentially leading to shock; urgent perforation repair surgery is required. If the perforation is caused by a large ulcer, a major part of the stomach may be removed to prevent recurrence of the ulcer. After surgery, it is important to enhance fluid support. If there is a significant peritonitis, timely use of antibiotics is necessary. Post-surgery, it is crucial to rest, focus on dietary adjustments, eat more vegetables and fruits, and consume fewer spicy and greasy foods. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 17sec

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Emergency measures for upper gastrointestinal bleeding

The treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding temporarily focuses on fasting and symptomatic fluid replacement. If the patient exhibits significant anemia, actively transfusing red blood cells to correct the anemia is advised. It is recommended that the patient rests in bed, with heart monitoring, blood pressure, and pulse being monitored. As for medications, acid-suppressing, stomach-protecting, and hemostatic drugs may initially be chosen for observation. Once the vital signs and condition have stabilized, it is important to promptly complete routine blood tests, electrocardiograms, and gastroscopy. Among these, gastroscopy is the most crucial diagnostic method, as it can clarify the cause and nature of the bleeding, such as gastric ulcer bleeding, gastric cancer bleeding, etc. Treatment plans vary depending on the cause; if the bleeding is suspected to be due to peptic ulcer disease, medication support is generally the first choice. If the bleeding is suspected to be from malignant transformation of gastric cancer, surgical intervention is typically necessary.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

1min

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Why does pulmonary heart disease cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Cor pulmonale is a very common type of heart disease in the clinic, mainly caused by various etiologies leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension, which results in right ventricular hypertrophy. Typically, patients with this disease have underlying pulmonary and cardiac lesions, and it mainly causes symptoms of varying degrees, such as fever, cough, expectoration, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and even difficulty breathing. Cor pulmonale is a complex disease, and if not managed properly in clinical practice, it can lead to many complications, especially respiratory failure and heart failure. This can lead to insufficient blood and oxygen supply, causing various degrees of increased pressure in the gastric vessels or vascular spasms due to hypoxia, all of which can cause patients to experience upper gastrointestinal bleeding during severe coughing, or when consuming certain foods.