Patients who spit blood, are in a potentially life-threatening condition. Most of the time, vomiting blood is caused by bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment must first stop the source of bleeding.
What is spit blood?
Spitting blood, also called hematemesis, is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes people to vomit blood. The origin of the vomited blood is usually in the esophagus, the stomach or the duodenum.
Since bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract has a relatively high mortality rate of approx. 10%, vomiting blood must be treated immediately by a doctor. Typically the vomited blood is bright red; However, when it comes into contact with stomach acid, it turns dark because the hydrochloric acid in the stomach reacts with the hemoglobin in the blood and forms hematin.
Coughing up blood should not be confused with spitting blood, as they are two independent clinical pictures. If the patient vomits more than half a liter of blood, there is a mortal danger. In general, spitting blood carries the risk of anemia and circulatory failure. If the body loses too much blood, it goes into shock with a racing heart, impaired consciousness and shortness of breath.
causes
There are various diseases that are associated with spitting blood. Basically, vomiting blood indicates gastrointestinal bleeding. The most common cause of spitting blood is an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum.
Ulcers may start to bleed, which triggers the vomiting of blood. Ruptured varicose veins in the esophagus or stomach are almost as common. In this case one speaks of ruptured varices. Damage or injury to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract can cause people to spit up blood.
Damage to the gastric mucosa, which can lead to ulcers, is caused, among other things, by smoking, the use of painkillers and poor nutrition. Mallory-Weiss syndrome is associated with gushing vomiting of blood due to lesions in the esophagus. Spitting blood can also result from stomach cancer. If the nosebleed is particularly severe, patients may spit blood. This is because a lot of blood is swallowed.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medicines against vomiting and nauseaDiseases with this symptom
- Esophageal cancer
- alcoholism
- Esophageal varices
- Mallory-Weiss Syndrome
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Liver disease
- gastritis
- Stomach cancer
- Bleeding disorder
- Esophageal variceal bleeding
- Gastric ulcer
- Duodenal ulcer
Diagnosis & course
When spitting blood, the underlying disease must be found as quickly as possible as part of the diagnosis. The patient's medical history is of great importance, as the doctor may find evidence of previous illnesses here, which can be accompanied by vomiting of blood.
The color of the vomited blood is also used to make the diagnosis. If the blood is bright red, it means that the cause is above the stomach, i.e. in the esophagus. If the blood has a dark brown color, this indicates a source of bleeding in the stomach or duodenum. In order to be able to localize the source of the bleeding, an endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract or the esophagus is carried out.
In addition, blood tests, X-rays and an ultrasound may be necessary for the diagnosis. The course of vomiting blood depends largely on the underlying disease and a quick diagnosis. If the bleeding can be stopped quickly, the course can be regarded as positive in the majority of cases. However, there is danger to life if the patient spits up a lot of blood within a short period of time and the cause is unclear.
Complications
When patients spit blood, action must be taken as soon as possible. Spitting blood can be life-threatening, so the bleeding must always be stopped first. Usually the cause lies in the stomach or the duodenum, but the esophagus can also be the trigger. Spitting blood needs medical treatment as soon as possible, with this clinical picture the mortality rate is even relatively high.
The vomited blood is usually bright red in color, but turns dark when it comes into contact with stomach acid. Spitting blood must not be confused with coughing up blood, they are two completely different clinical pictures. If, however, it is a question of spitting blood and the patient vomits more than half a liter of blood, there is an extremely high risk of death.
Blood spit can be for many reasons, but most of the time the cause is in the stomach or duodenum. It's ulcers here that make the blood spit up. Often there are also ruptured varicose veins in this area or the mucous membrane in the gastrointestinal tract is injured. This can lead to ulcers caused by smoking, eating improperly, or taking pain pills. Some patients are also diagnosed with stomach cancer. The spitting of blood can also come from a very heavy nosebleed, simply too much blood is swallowed.
When should you go to the doctor?
Blood in saliva can be a clear indicator of a serious illness. Anyone who spits or coughs blood should therefore consult a doctor as soon as possible if the cause is not clear. If the cause is known and appears harmless (injuries in the mouth and throat, bleeding gums, cold, etc.), the symptoms must at least be observed.
If the symptoms persist or if the sputum is pure blood, there may be a serious cause - a doctor's visit is advisable, and an emergency doctor should be called in for acute complaints. Spitting or coughing blood, which persists for several days or is accompanied by side effects such as swallowing difficulties, pain in the lungs and throat or breast stitches, also requires a medical clarification.
In the case of existing underlying diseases such as immunodeficiency or flu, a doctor should always be consulted in order to prevent a deterioration in the general condition. In the case of children and infants who spit blood, a doctor must generally be seen. The same applies if the symptoms occur immediately after consuming acidic, irritating or spicy foods or after consuming luxury foods or drugs. If the symptoms are caused by medication, an accident or contact with toxic substances, a doctor is also recommended. A saliva sample can usually be used to clarify the cause beyond doubt.
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Treatment & Therapy
Treatment for spitting blood is first of all to find the source of bleeding and stop the bleeding. This is important to minimize blood loss and prevent the patient from collapsing.
In addition, a venous access is provided to maintain the circulation. The patient is given intravenous saline to make up for the loss of fluids and electrolytes. A blood transfusion may also be necessary if the patient has already lost large amounts of blood. An emergency endoscopy is used to identify the source of the bleeding. After supplying the body with fluids, the next step is to stop the bleeding.
If a gastric ulcer is bleeding, surgery is often necessary to remove the ulcer. If the ulcer was caused by bacteria, the patient will need to take antibiotics after the operation. A ruptured varicose vein in the esophagus is obliterated endoscopically, which quickly stops the bleeding. The emergency medical treatment is followed by long-term therapy that addresses the causes of the hematemesis.
For example, a nutritionist can be used to work out an appropriate nutrition plan with the patient. Depending on the cause of the vomiting blood, the patient may have to take medication for a long period of time to protect the gastrointestinal tract.
Outlook & forecast
It is extremely difficult to give the course or a precise prognosis when spitting blood, as the causes can be varied. The most common is likely to be gingivitis. There is relatively little leakage of blood so that no further treatment is required. In such a case, the bleeding stops by itself and should be completely gone after three to four days.
The prognosis is different for a serious illness. In general, if you spit blood due to a stomach ulcer, stomach cancer, alcoholism or esophageal cancer, this must be treated by a doctor. If left untreated, these diseases are usually fatal or lead to serious consequential damage.
However, even with appropriate treatment, there is no guarantee of a full recovery. The timing of diagnosis is extremely important, especially with different types of cancer. The sooner the cancer is discovered, the better the chances of a full recovery.
The diagnosis also takes into account the color, amount, and frequency of blood. After taking these factors into account, a more reliable forecast or outlook can usually be made.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medicines against vomiting and nauseaprevention
In order to avoid spitting blood, care should be taken to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Mucosal damage that can develop into ulcers can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. Among other things, a balanced diet should be ensured.
In addition, it is worth limiting the consumption of alcohol and nicotine, as these substances damage the lining of the digestive tract. In addition, pain medication such as aspirin should not be taken for long periods of time as they increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
You can do that yourself
Spitting blood indicates a serious disease of the respiratory tract or internal organs and requires immediate medical clarification. In addition, various home remedies and measures against the bloody sputum help. First of all, it is advisable to drink a lot and to stop consuming alcohol and cigarettes. Foods that could further irritate the mucous membranes should be avoided.
In the case of bloody sputum as a result of bronchitis, home remedies such as thyme, Icelandic moss and marshmallow root are recommended. Inhaling a saline solution soothes the airways and naturally flushes the blood out. Licorice root and sage, which can be taken in the form of tea, are also recommended. In addition, the throat area should be kept warm. Depending on the symptoms, the breast can also be cooled and rubbed with homeopathic, expectorant ointments.
Accompanying complaints should be noted in a medical diary before the doctor's visit and described in as much detail as possible. If possible, some blood can also be poured into a glass and taken to the doctor. In the event of severe coughing up blood, the emergency doctor must be called immediately and first aid provided if necessary.
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