Seeing blood when throwing up after drinking can be scary, but in some cases, it might not actually be anything to worry about. For some people, it can be a sign of something more serious. In this blog, we’re telling you everything you need to know about throwing up blood after drinking.
Throwing up after drinking alcohol is not a great thing to partake in regularly. This is because it can cause lasting damage to the body and, in more serious cases, can lead to death.
It’s very important to care for our bodies and try to make the healthiest decisions we can. Part of this involves either avoiding alcohol altogether or only drinking alcohol within our limits. While everyone has different alcohol limits, due to many factors, it’s important to stick to the limits listed by the Government and health organisations.
What affects alcohol consumption?
There are many factors that impact the way that our body deals with alcohol. This is why you might be able to drink the same amount and feel fine one time and quite unwell another time.
- Age
- Gender
- Medications
- Food consumed
- Weight
- Health conditions
- Metabolism
- General tolerance
Why might you throw up blood after drinking?
If you find yourself vomiting blood, it’s a sure sign that you may have consumed too much alcohol the night before. It’s important to have healthy habits around alcohol and stick to the recommended number of units when you do choose to drink.
As we mentioned previously, vomiting with blood doesn’t always mean that there is a really dangerous issue, but it could be a sign of something sinister.
Oesophageal tear
Oesophageal tears can occur as a result of wretching or forceful coughing, which can come hand in hand with vomiting. The oesophagus is an important part of the digestive system, as it allows food to travel from the mouth to the stomach.
When the oesophagus becomes damaged, it may bleed. The individual may also experience shortness of breath and chest pains. It’s very important to seek medical advice quickly in these circumstances. There are different types of oesophagal tears that you may be experiencing, and some are more serious than others. A Mallory Weiss tear is one kind, and Boerhaave syndrome is another.
Gastritis
Gastritis is essentially inflammation of the stomach’s lining. Symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss and pain in the upper abdominal area. Other signs to look out for include vomiting blood, blood in stools, stomach pains and shortness of breath.
Oesophagal/Esophageal varices
This type of issue can occur when the blood vessels in the oesophagus become swollen, leading to vomiting blood. These enlarged blood vessels can also increase the risk of kidney disease and further oesophagal damage. Those with long-lasting oesophagal damage may not be able to digest food through their mouths and can also risk death.
Peptic Ulcer/Other Ulcers
Ulcers can occur in the body when the protective lining becomes damaged. This can lead to pain, bloating, sickness and more. Regularly consuming a lot of alcohol can put you at a higher risk of developing ulcers and perforations.
Sometimes, people can experience ulcers and other issues from taking too much of an anti-inflammatory medicine. You must always follow the guidance on medication doses.
Liver disease
There are many risks associated with alcohol, and liver disease is one of them. You may be experiencing alcohol-related liver disease if you have blood in your vomit, feel overly thirsty, have yellowing skin or have black or bloody stools. If you notice any of these symptoms, you must seek advice. Read more about alcohol-induced liver damage.
Other potential risks associated with vomiting blood
- Irritation or swelling in the oesophagus
- Tumour in the stomach or oesophagus (non-cancerous or cancerous)
- Severe injury to the area causing upper GI bleeding (Gastrointestinal tract/GI tract)
- Duodenitis – inflammation of the small intestine
- Deiulafoy’s lesion, causing you to vomit blood
- Pancreatic cancer
- Alcohol poisoning
- Taking too much of a medication, which can damage the stomach lining (such as anti-inflammatory and more)
As you can see, these are all very serious and may be labelled as a medical emergency and even life-threatening. It’s crucial that you seek medical advice as soon as you can. Many of these issues will have better outcomes if they are dealt with sooner rather than being left for a while. It’s always best to be checked over by a medical professional. You may require emergency treatment by a healthcare provider.
How much blood might I vomit?
There are no exact amounts of blood that you might vomit after drinking too much. You might find that there are streaks of blood in your vomit, or there may be much more. Either way, it’s important to seek the relevant medical help to ensure that it is nothing serious.
Unfortunately, many people die per year due to internal bleeding caused by alcohol consumption. This is something that isn’t often advertised to reduce people’s drinking habits. It’s very important to be aware of the dangers of alcohol. After excessive alcohol consumption, you may vomit streaks or bright red blood.
Not only can alcohol cause issues such as internal bleeding, but it can also lead to other types of damage, such as burning yourself or injuring others. These are all issues that may require medical treatment. It’s crucial that you are honest about drinking too much alcohol, as this will help to come to a conclusion. Sometimes, vomiting blood could be a sign of an underlying cause.
What do you do if you throw up blood after drinking?
You should always seek medical advice if you find yourself throwing up blood after drinking. It might not be anything to worry about, but it could be something very serious. It’s always best to get checked out by a professional.
What will happen when I seek medical attention?
The actions taken by the medical team will depend on the cause of your vomiting blood. Usually, your blood pressure will be taken to check for low or high blood pressure. A healthcare professional will ask about your alcohol use, whether you have taken other drugs, your medication use and an estimated amount of blood loss. They may also ask about the appearance of your vomit.
Depending on the outcome of your emergency symptoms, you may be sent for scans and potentially an upper endoscopy.
In some cases, you may be monitored, treated with medication or even rushed for surgery due to vomiting blood. Without accessing this treatment, you could be putting your life at risk.
In conclusion, throwing up blood is not something you should really experience. If you do, there could be something seriously wrong. You must seek professional medical advice regarding your symptoms. This will ensure that you get the most appropriate treatment.
What if I need help with my alcohol consumption?
Getting help for your addiction is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, seeking advice shows strength and bravery. The good news is that we can help at Acquiesce. We have a number of effective programmes that can support you with alcohol addiction and alcohol rehabilitation.
Once you have stabilised the initial sickness and blood loss, we can provide you with long-term support to address alcohol use.
Perhaps you’re worried about yourself or even a loved one. Either way, pick up the phone to us, and we can help. We offer effective, confidential support at all times. We’re here to help you or your loved one live a healthier and happier life, free from addiction.
Contact us today to see how we can help with our bespoke services for addiction at our Bolton rehab centre.
