Causes Of Blood With Vomiting Or Stools

Conditions That Can Cause Hematemesis

Most people panic when they notice blood in their vomit.

Listed below are the conditions, arranged according to their occurrence that may result in vomiting blood.

• Gastritis: Long-term inflammation or rupture of the inner lining of the gastric mucosa is known as gastritis. It may be acute or chronic. This is one of the most common causes of hematemesis.
• Esophageal Varices: Bleeding esophageal varices are the result of the rupture of swollen veins in the lower esophagus. This is a medical emergency, since even a slight delay in treatment can make the blood go inside the lungs and cause death.
• Liver Cirrhosis: Scarring of liver cells is called cirrhosis. It is a chronic condition that is caused by prolonged exposure to toxins such as viral infections (hepatitis B and C) or alcohol.
• Other Conditions: Some other conditions that may result in vomiting blood include:
  • Gastric Carcinoma (stomach cancer)
  • Esophageal Carcinoma (cancer of esophagus)
  • Acid Peptic Disease (APD)
  • Liver cancer
  • Infection of esophagus – esophagitis
  • Hemophilia – a blood disorder
  • Alcoholic liver disease

Conditions That Can Cause Melena

Many disorders that cause hematemesis can also cause melena – black/tarry stools. This is because blood in the upper gastrointestinal might not be expelled from the mouth; it would rather stay inside the stomach and be excreted from the anus mixed with stools. Listed below are the conditions that may cause black tarry stools:

• Esophageal Varices: Bleeding esophageal varices is a condition that may cause melena, hematemesis, or even both simultaneously.
• Stomach Ulcer: The bleeding is usually slow in this condition which is why it rarely manifests in the form of vomiting. The stored blood mostly leaves the body in the form of black stools. This condition can sometimes be very painful. 
• Crohn’s Disease: This disorder causes the inflammation of the small intestine. After a certain period of time, the inflamed tissues of the small intestine begin to bleed resulting in black stools. This condition is progressive and must be treated immediately.
• Other Conditions: Some other conditions that can cause melena include
  • Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) – usually seen in newborns but may occur at any age.
  • Gastric Carcinoma (stomach cancer)
  • Intussusception – telescoping of one part of the intestine into its adjacent part.
  • Diverticulitis

Conditions That Can Cause Hematochezia

There are a few conditions that cause fresh blood to be excreted with or after bowel movements.

The conditions that may cause hematochezia include:

• Colorectal Carcinoma (Rectum Cancer): This is the most common cause of hematochezia in old age. It rarely occurs in young adults or children. Fresh painless bleeding is the presenting symptom of this disease.
• Anal Fissure: It refers to a tear in the lining of the lower rectum which causes blood to originate while defecating. Sometimes, it may present as dripping of blood drops after bowel movements are completed.
• Ulcerative Colitis: An inflammation of the large intestine is called ulcerative colitis. Most of the patients suffering from this disorder complain of fresh blood coming with their stools.
• Other Csonditions:
• • Crohn’s disease
  • Internal or external Hemorrhoids
  • Food poisoning
  • Salmonellosis
  • Dragon fruit consumption

See Also: How To Deal With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

It is possible that a patient may experience only one episode of blood with defecation or vomiting. This occurs in the cases where there is minor rupture of the inner lining of the digestive tract. Such injuries usually heal spontaneously without any external intervention.