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What Causes Blood in Stool and Vomit?

What Causes Blood in Stool and Vomit?

Are you having blood in your stool and/or vomit? Please call Diamond Gastroenterology for proper treatment. For more information, call us or book an online appointment. We serve patients from Oak Park, IL and surrounding areas.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment Near Me in Oak Park, IL
Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment Near Me in Oak Park, IL

Table of Contents:

What causes blood in your stool and in vomit?
How do you know if the blood in your stool is serious?
What does blood in your vomit indicate?
When should you go to a clinic for throwing up blood?

Diamond Gastroenterology offers care for disorders of the digestive system. We provide treatment for a wide variety of services for rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, and more. One reason you may seek specialized healthcare from a gastroenterologist is because of blood in stool and vomit. For more information on the cause and treatment for these uncomfortable symptoms, continue reading below.

What causes blood in your stool and in vomit?


Seeing blood in your stool or vomit may be a sign of many possible conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, polyps in the bowel, sexually transmitted infections, diverticula, cancer, or gastroenteritis. No matter what condition is causing these uncomfortable symptoms, it’s important to go to a physician for the proper assessment and treatment. Three common gastroenterology issues that cause blood in the stool include:

Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is the medical term used for the stomach flu. This infection causes inflammation of the stomach and intestine. Both norovirus and rotavirus can cause symptoms including bloody diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, headache, and muscle weakness.

Crohn’s Disease
One of the most common diseases in the large intestine is called Crohn’s disease. When you have Crohn’s disease, your colon becomes inflamed and you may develop hemorrhoids or anal fissures. These irritated blood vessels and tears in the anus can cause small amounts of blood to be present in the stool.

Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer causes tarry, maroon colored stool. If you have colon cancer, you may begin to bleed in the digestive tract which makes the stool look darker than normal. If you suspect your symptoms could be a sign of colon cancer, come to Diamond Gastroenterology for our cancer screening options.

How do you know if the blood in your stool is serious?


When you notice blood in your stool, seek healthcare from your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist. Blood in your stool can be caused by a harmless condition such as a hemorrhoid or by a life-threatening condition like colon cancer. Signs of a more serious problem include excessive amounts of blood, lightheadedness, fainting, maroon colored stool, or tarry stools.

What does blood in your vomit indicate?


Vomiting blood, otherwise known as hematemesis, can indicate a plethora of different conditions and injuries. The blood you throw up may be red, dark brown, or black. The most common gastroenterology-related condition that causes bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract are ulcers or torn blood vessels. Open wounds in the stomach called peptic or gastric ulcers can develop at the top of your small intestine and in your stomach. In addition to vomiting bright red or black blood, you may also experience symptoms of heartburn, nausea, fatty food intolerance, stomach pain, and bloating.

When should you go to a clinic for throwing up blood?


If you see blood in your vomit, you need to go to a clinic immediately. Whether it’s only a few drops of blood or a significant amount, it’s extremely important you get the right diagnosis and treatment. Severe blood loss can quickly lead to a life-threatening situation. If you or a loved one is experiencing the following symptoms in addition to throwing up blood, go to an emergency room or call 911:
 
– Rapid breathing
– Low urine
– Pale or cold skin
– Blurry vision
– Dizziness
– Fainting
– Confusion
– Nausea
– Severe blood loss
 
For any gastroenterology-related conditions causing blood in your vomit or stool, schedule an appointment with Diamond Gastroenterology. We would be more than happy to book you in for a visit with one of our expert specialists. If you have any general inquiries about our clinic or further questions about these symptoms, call our receptionist right away. The team at Diamond Gastroenterology looks forward to helping you get better as soon as possible! We serve patients from Oak Park IL, River Forest IL, Cicero IL, River Grove IL, Forest Park IL, Berwyn IL, Melrose Park IL and Broadview IL.