Vomiting of Blood, (Hematemesis) A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Vomiting of Blood, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related DiseasesWhen a person vomits blood in front of you, it can be very frightening sight to see and worse still if after the vomiting of blood he or she collapses in front of you. This symptom is regarded as a medical emergency. Vomiting of Blood (Hematemesis) is medically depicted as bleeding within the upper gastrointestinal tract that consists of the mouth, throat, gullet (esophagus), stomach or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
The bleeding can be in the form of blood in the vomit (hematemesis) or in the form of black colored stools (melena). This symptom is normally due to a disorder within the upper gastrointestinal tract. Vomiting blood is throwing up the contents of the upper GI tract that contains blood. Vomited blood may look like either a bright red or dark red color. The vomited material may be mixed with food or it may be pure blood only.
It may be hard to differentiate between vomiting blood and coughing up blood (from the lung) or a nosebleed. In the patient who may be bleeding profusely and need immediate treatment, directed questions are appropriate such as:1. If blood or clots were present in the vomitus, 2. If the vomitus looked brown like coffee grounds indicating the probable presence of blood. A bloody appearance is readily identified as hematemesis but the coffee-ground manifestation will not be identified without direct questioning.
Sometimes hemoptysis or vomiting of swallowed blood from epistaxis (nose bleeds) can be confused with hematemesis. Hemoptysis is linked with coughing and is bright, foamy red in color. The patient with profuse epistaxis is normally aware that a nosebleed has occurred. In many patients the bleeding will stop quite rapidly but in some patients it can become severe and threatening to life. All vomiting of blood (hematemesis) should be regarded as a medical emergency and should be sent to the hospital as soon as possible because of the danger of severe loss of blood and hypo-volemic shock (shock from low blood volume).
There is an estimated risk of death in 11% of patients. CausesThere are different forms of bleeding:1. Dark bloodThis is often called as a 'coffee ground' color. This indicates that the bleed has been comparatively slow. The blood has been in contact with stomach acid long enough for the acid to turn the blood a dark brown color. The bleeding in this circumstance may not been heavy. It may become heavy at a later time.2.
Bright red bloodA large amount of bright red blood indicates a rapid and large bleed that may be direct from the stomach, upper small intestine, gullet or even mouth. There is a range of different causes1. Bleeding ulcer in the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus2. Blood clotting disorders3. Defects in the blood vessels of the GI tract4. Swallowing blood (e.g., after a nosebleed)5. Tumors of the mouth, throat, stomach or esophagus6.
Bleeding from the gullet (esophagus)Esophageal varicesVarices are widened, swollen blood vessels in the lining of the esophagus. They are due to the complications of liver cirrhosis. Scarred liver tissue obstructs blood flow through the liver and causes the veins to swell and bleed in the gullet7. Mallory-Weiss syndrome is bleeding caused by a tear in the lining of the esophagus or stomach8. Bleeding peptic ulcer is the most frequent cause of blood vomitingDiagnosis:Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) can do an internal examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenumTreatmentHematemesis suggests an upper gastrointestinal bleeding and emergency treatment:Blood transfusionsEGD with laser to stop bleeding from the stomachMedicinesSurgeryTABLE OF CONTENTIntroductionChapter 1 Vomitin...