Symptom 2: Hematemesis
When one hears the term ‘hematemesis,’ it might sound foreign. But broken down, it directly translates to vomiting blood. As alarming as this sounds, for some individuals, it’s a grim reality they confront. Hematemesis is a direct indication that something isn’t right within the digestive system.
It’s essential to understand that the digestive tract, including the stomach, is lined with blood vessels. When one of these vessels, especially a large one like in Dieulafoy’s lesion, starts bleeding, the blood has to find a way out. The result? It gets expelled through vomiting.
Now, why is this serious? Well, aside from the apparent distress of vomiting blood, hematemesis can be indicative of rapid and substantial blood loss. When left unchecked, this can lead to the body losing significant amounts of blood in a short time, which is undoubtedly a medical emergency.
Distinguishing between hematemesis and other causes of red vomit is also crucial. Foods, certain medications, or even minor esophageal tears can sometimes mimic the appearance of hematemesis. However, the former is much more concerning due to its potential implications.(2)
