Vomit that looks like coffee grounds occurs when stomach acids and blood congeal. Coffee ground vomit can be a sign of ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cancer of the stomach or liver, or other abdominal conditions. Yellow vomit indicates the presence of bile, which usually happens after a meal.
Strange colors: Vomit may look bright red or dark (like coffee grounds) if it contains blood. Meanwhile, bile -- a fluid made by your liver that helps with digestion -- can make vomit look bright green. Both are cause for concern.
Speak to your GP if:
you've been vomiting repeatedly for more than a day or two. you're unable to keep down any fluids because you're vomiting repeatedly. you have signs of severe dehydration, such as confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing little or no urine.
Yellow or greenish-vomit is usually a sign that you are throwing up bile. Throwing up yellow bile could indicate a potentially serious medical concern like a hiatal hernia or intestinal blockage. It can also happen if you have stomach flu or food poisoning and continue to vomit after your stomach is empty.
Seek prompt medical attention if nausea and vomiting are accompanied by other warning signs, such as: Chest pain. Severe abdominal pain or cramping. Blurred vision.
An obstruction can cause the material inside the bowel to back up into the stomach. This causes nausea and vomiting of dark green bile (bilious vomiting). The bowel preceding the obstruction becomes large, dilated, and filled with the fluid and air that would otherwise move forward.
Prevalence of Nausea and Vomiting Toward the End of Life
Nausea—an unpleasant feeling in the stomach that may or may not be followed by vomiting—is very common as a patient moves toward the end of life. It is most common in patients with terminal cancer. 1 It is also common in patients with other diagnoses.
There are different types of vomiting. Some people get the dry heaves, where you retch and feel like vomiting, but nothing comes out of your stomach. The dry heaves are also called nonproductive emesis. Blood streaked or bloody vomit usually indicates a cut or scrape to the esophagus or stomach.
Green or yellow vomit, also known as bile, is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. The release of bile occurs when an individual is vomiting on an empty stomach or is suffering from bile reflux.
The vomiting reflex is mediated by both the autonomic and somatic systems, and consists of two phases: Prodomal phase (pre-ejection): Relaxation of gastric muscles followed by small intestinal retrograde peristalsis; Ejection phase: Comprises of retching and vomiting including expulsion of gastric contents.
Do not eat or drink anything for several hours after vomiting. Sip small amounts of water or suck ice chips every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Next, sip clear liquids every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Examples include water, sports drinks, flat soda, clear broth, gelatin, flavored ice, popsicles or apple juice.
Hydrate with clear liquids
Make hydration your main focus after a bout of vomiting, states Dr. Goldman. Start by drinking small sips of water every 15 minutes for the first three to four hours. You can even suck on ice chips.
Allow yourself to rest. Resting propped up in a seated position with the head elevated at least twelve inches above the feet is ideal. Remain in this seated rested position for a minimum of an hour, or until you are no longer experiencing nausea. Do not lie down all the way.
Gastroenteritis and food poisoning are the most common underlying causes of sudden vomiting and usually clear up without treatment in a couple of days. Vomiting can sometimes be a symptom of something serious. Recurrent vomiting or vomiting that has lasted more than 2 days should always be investigated by your doctor.
In some cases, when anxiety is extreme or you have a panic attack, nausea can become so intense that you vomit or dry heave. “Vomiting is much less common than nausea,” says Koslowski. “It's not a rare symptom of anxiety, but not a common one either.”
Yellow bile is usually a result of changes in the body due to the underlying condition. In most cases, it's no cause for concern, especially if you vomit while your stomach is empty.
If you've been vomiting for more than two days (48 hours), it may be time to seek medical help, especially if you have any of these additional symptoms: Blood or what looks like coffee grounds in your vomit. A high fever.
Symptoms of acid reflux and bile reflux in your esophagus are virtually the same. If your symptoms include vomit, check the color. Bile has a tell-tale yellow tint. If you also have symptoms of bile reflux in your stomach, such as abdominal pain and indigestion, that might be an important clue.
If you vomit while your stomach is empty of food, bile may be what comes up. Other serious problems like alcoholism, food poisoning, intestinal blockage, hernias and bile reflux can cause people to vomit bile. These conditions need a medical professional's evaluation to provide the proper treatment.