What disease is vomiting like coffee grounds?

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Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Vomiting blood is an uncommon but potentially serious health problem. So what is the main cause of vomiting blood like coffee grounds?

1. What is vomiting blood?

Vomiting blood, vomiting blood, also known as hematemesis, is a condition in which the contents of the stomach burp and escape through the esophagus, mixing with blood or just blood. This condition can be of concern if there is an internal injury that causes rupture or internal bleeding. However, in some cases, the cause of vomiting blood is not medical, such as trauma to the mouth or nose causing bleeding and accidental regurgitation of blood.
Vomited blood may be brown (looks like coffee grounds), dark red, or bright red. The color and amount of blood can often tell a doctor the source and severity of the condition. If vomiting a large amount of blood (about 500ml) or is accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness or changes in breathing, the patient needs immediate medical attention.

2. What is vomit that looks like coffee grounds?

Vomiting of coffee grounds is vomit that looks like coffee grounds. This occurs due to the presence of blood clots in the vomit.
The color of the vomited blood will change depending on how long the blood stays in your gastrointestinal (digestive) system. If you have delayed vomiting, the blood will be dark red, brown, or black. The presence of blood clots in the vomit will make it look like coffee grounds. This is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. Remember to record when and how much you vomited and anything that might have caused the vomiting. If possible, you should take a sample of your vomit to your doctor for further testing.

3. What symptoms can occur with vomit that looks like coffee grounds?

Get emergency medical care as soon as you start vomiting blood. Call 911 or local emergency services immediately if you are vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds and you are also experiencing:
Unusually pale or pale skin Fainting Dizziness Chest pain Bright red blood or Large lumps in vomit Severe abdominal pain 3.1 What causes coffee grounds-like vomiting? Vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, vomiting blood, and black spots can occur as a result of various conditions, including peptic ulcers, esophageal varices related to cirrhosis, or gastritis. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis.
Some other possible causes of coffee grounds-like vomit include:
Stomach and esophageal problems related to cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, autoimmune disease or disease fatty liver Cancer of the esophagus, pancreas or stomach Diseases such as Ebola virus infection, hemophilia B or yellow fever
3.2 How to diagnose the cause of coffee grounds-like vomiting? Coffee grounds-like vomit is often a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding. You should see your doctor to get it checked out if you experience it. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, other health conditions, and medications you may be taking. After reviewing your medical history and physical exam, your doctor will order one or more tests to determine the cause of the bleeding.
In addition to X-rays and basic blood tests, your doctor may conduct the following:
Stomach occult blood test is a test your doctor can use to look for blood in vomit. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor inserts a small flexible scope with a camera down your esophagus to view internal organs. Liver function studies are blood tests that can help your doctor identify any disease or damage to the liver. A stool blood test is a test that can detect blood in your stool. During a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, your doctor inserts a small scope with a camera through your anus and into your colon and rectum. Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on these tests and begin a treatment plan to address the underlying condition.

4. What are the complications of vomiting blood like coffee grounds?

Vomiting from the stomach with blood in it, although rare, can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Those at risk are:
The elderly People with a history of alcohol abuse People with a history of strokes People with a history of disorders affecting the ability to swallow In addition, vomiting blood can also cause other problems. Complications such as:
Asphyxiation is one of the main complications of hematemesis, which can lead to hemothorax, impairing breathing. Anemia can occur if a person loses too much blood while vomiting quickly and suddenly. Shock. Patients may experience symptoms of shock such as: dizziness when standing, rapid, shallow breathing, small amount of urine, cold, pale skin. This is a condition that often leads to a drop in blood pressure, coma, and death if not treated promptly.

5. Treatment of diseases that cause vomit like coffee grounds, treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding

Treatment for coffee grounds vomiting depends on the cause and location of your internal bleeding. There are many possible causes of gastrointestinal bleeding and your doctor's first order will be to determine which is causing you.
Your doctor can usually determine the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding with diagnostic tests and procedures. Often, treatment can be applied at the same time. For example, during an endoscopy, the doctor can stop bleeding by cutting or clamping a blood vessel or by injecting medication.
If the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding is an ulcer, your doctor may surgically cut the wound during endoscopic surgery to control bleeding. If polyps in the colon cause bleeding, your doctor can usually remove them during a colonoscopy.
Depending on how much blood you've lost and if gastrointestinal bleeding continues, your doctor may give you fluids or blood transfusions. You may need to take medication continuously to control gastrointestinal bleeding. For example, your doctor may prescribe protein pump inhibitors (PPIs) to control bleeding sores. PPIs are a medication that reduces stomach acid.
According to an article in the Merck Manual, gastrointestinal bleeding stops spontaneously in about 80% of patients. If your gastrointestinal bleeding continues, or if your doctor is unable to determine the cause, exploratory abdominal surgery may be necessary.
If surgery is indicated, the doctor will usually use a minimally invasive, low-risk procedure called laparoscopy. The surgeon will make several small incisions in your abdomen and insert a slender instrument called an endoscope to examine internal organs and determine the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. You can usually return home the same day.

Coffee grounds-like vomit is considered a medical emergency. If left untreated, severe cases can lead to shock and even death. Therefore, you should see your doctor as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment.
In order to be able to find out the specific cause of the patient's vomiting blood, Vinmec International General Hospital will conduct an examination and do specialized tests to diagnose (Standard gastro-oesophageal scan). equipment, abdominal ultrasound, X-ray, blood test...) If necessary, it can be combined with many different specialties to find out the cause and have a safe treatment for the patient.
In order to bring the best quality and medical services to patients, the hospital has invested in infrastructure, modern equipment, and a team of top doctors and experts who are all qualified professionals. qualified from many large hospitals across the country will directly participate in the examination and treatment process.

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References
Ansari P. (2016). Overview of digestive bleeding. Merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal_disorders/gi_bleeding/overview_of_gi_bleeding.html Bou-Abdallah JZ, et al. (2012). Coffee grounds emesis: Not just an upper digest bleed. DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2009.05.008 Diagnosis of digestive bleeding. (2016). Niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastrointestinal-bleeding/diagnosis
procedures Digestive bleeding. (n.d.). my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17028-gi-bleeding Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018) Gastrointestinal bleeding. Mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastrointestinal-bleeding/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372732 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Vomiting blood. Mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vomiting-blood/basics/definition/sym-20050732