Is it really alarming when you have coffee ground vomitus? What causes coffee ground vomitus?
A vomit that resembles coffee grounds is referred to as coffee ground vomitus. It occurs when there is coagulated blood present in the vomit. The length of time the blood remains in your gastrointestinal (GI) system determines the hue of the vomited blood. Blood that appears dark red, brown, or black indicates that you have delayed vomiting. Other names for coffee-ground vomitus include hematemesis and coffee-ground emesis.
Vomiting coffee grounds is a significant medical disease that needs prompt professional medical care. If you notice any of the following: exceptionally pale skin, pallor, lightheadedness, fainting, dizziness, chest discomfort, bright red blood, huge clots in the vomit, or severe abdominal pain, call your local emergency services. An ulcer in the stomach or the upper small intestine is typically the most frequent cause. A bleeding ulcer can spill blood into the stomach, making you sick. The blood may change from crimson to dark brown as the stomach acids combine with it. Your doctor might be able to treat the ulcer during an endoscopy if it is the cause of your GI bleeding in order to stop the bleeding.
During a colonoscopy, your doctor can frequently remove colon polyps if they are the source of your bleeding. To treat a GI bleed, you might need to take drugs on a regular basis. To stop a bleeding ulcer, for instance, your doctor can prescribe a protein pump inhibitor (PPI). A PPI is a class of medication that lowers stomach acid.
Depending on the amount of blood lost, your doctor may administer IV fluids or blood transfusions if your GI bleeding persists. According to a Merck Manual article, about 80% of patients have spontaneous cessation of GI bleeding. Additionally, if your GI bleeding persists and your doctor is unable to identify the source, abdominal exploratory surgery can be required. If surgery is necessary, your doctor will frequently do a laparoscopy, a low-risk, minimally intrusive operation. To inspect your internal organs and identify the source of your GI bleeding, the surgeon will make a number of tiny incisions in your belly and insert a thin device called a laparoscope. Most of the time, you can go home that same day.
Vomitus with coffee grounds requires immediate medical treatment because it may be a sign of a dangerous underlying disease. Severe cases may result in shock or even death if untreated. As soon as you vomited coffee grounds, you should seek medical attention. In some circumstances, coffee ground vomitus can be treated and resolved, and you might be able to finish your diagnostic procedure and therapy on the same day as your return to your house.
PDO I Kimberly M. Tanador, RND
References:
Coffee Ground Vomitus
https://www.healthline.com/health/coffee-ground-vomitus
What is Coffee Ground Emesis?
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-coffee-ground-emesis.htm
What Causes Black Vomit (Coffee Grounds Vomitus)?
https://www.khealth.com/learn/symptom/black-vomit/
