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Home :: Family Health :: Haematemesis Haematemesis - Haematemesis symptom, treatment, causes
Haematemesis is a medical term for vomiting blood. Haematemesis usually results from bleeding into the oesophagus (gullet), stomach or upper bowel. Causes of the bleeding include PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE, OESOPHAGEAL VARICES (dilated veins in the lower end of the oesophagus) and acute GASTRITIS. Blood that has mixed with stomach secretions usually becomes dark brown and lumpy, and resembles coffee grounds. Haematemesis always warrants investigation so that its cause can be discovered and corrected.
Haematemesis is the vomiting of fresh red blood. This condition occurs when there is bleeding in the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, i.e. bleeding proximal to the duodenal-jejunal junction. It is very rare for bleeding entering the gut distal to this point to return to the stomach. Haematemesis always warrants investigation so that its cause can be discovered and corrected. Patients can easily confuse it with hemoptysis (coughing up blood), although the former is more common. Hematemesis is treated as a medical emergency. The most vital distinction is whether there is blood loss sufficient to cause shock. Conditions that cause blood to be vomited can also cause blood in the stool. The patient should be hospitalised. The aim of the treatment is to treat the underlying cause. In case of massive haematemesis, the treatment may include administering intravenous fluids or blood transfusions.
Causes of Haematemesis
The common causes and risk factor's of Haematemesis include the following:
- Vomiting of ingested blood after hemorrhage in the oral cavity, nose or throat.
- Dieulafoy's lesion.
- Bleeding ulcers located in the food pipe, stomach, or the intestines.
- Food poisoning.
- Tumors of the stomach or esophagus.
- Irritation or erosion of the lining of the esophagus or stomach.
Symptoms of Haematemesis
Some sign and symptoms related to Haematemesis are as follows:
- Vomiting blood.
- Problems with urination.
Treatment of Haematemesis
Here is list of the methods for treating Haematemesis:
- In case of massive haematemesis, the treatment may include administering intravenous fluids or blood transfusions.
- Antacids may be prescribed to decrease the stomach acid.
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