Why does coffee grounds vomit? The causes of this pathological phenomenon will be indicated below. We will also tell you about what diseases are characterized by a similar symptom, and how they should be properly treated.
Basic information about the pathological phenomenon
Coffee ground vomiting in children and adults is a reflex eruption of brown or even black masses from the stomach, indicating the development of internal bleeding.
According to experts, this condition is a mortal threat to the patient's life. The same goes for vomiting blood.
Major diseases
Usually, vomiting of coffee grounds occurs with bleeding (gastroduodenal) of various origins. In addition, the following diseases can lead to the development of such a symptom:
- peptic ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Mallory-Weiss syndrome;
- erosion of the stomach;
- malignant tumors and polyps of the stomach;
- cardia or the so-called holes in the stomach (in the cardiac section);
- esophageal varices;
- damage to the esophagus by foreign bodies;
- cirrhosis of the liver with impaired blood circulation;
- poisoning with poisonous mushrooms, chemicals, alcohol surrogates and others.
Causes of occurrence
Most often, vomiting of coffee grounds occurs with gastrointestinal bleeding. This happens due to prolonged intake and accumulation of blood in the stomach. Under the influence of hydrochloric acid, the plasma begins to produce hematin chloride, which has a brown tint, similar to black coffee.
Characteristic of vomiting
Coffee ground vomit doesn't happen on its own. Usually, its formation is preceded by a pathological deterioration in the patient's condition.
Depending on the cause of the bleeding (gastrointestinal), the main signs of this pathological condition are the following:
- black stool, which indicates the passage of blood through the entire digestive tract;
- pain in the epigastric region (as a rule, such a symptom indicates the presence of a bleeding ulcer in the stomach);
- fainting, a sharp drop in blood pressure, tachycardia (such signs indicate heavy gastrointestinal bleeding).
It should also be noted that very often dark red or scarlet blood clots are found in the brown or brown vomit that the patient vomits. Usually, after such an observation, bloody vomiting opens,which threatens the life of the patient.
Treatment process
Coffee ground vomit is quite rare. But if it has arisen, then it is not recommended to delay its treatment. This is due to the fact that such a condition can lead to the death of the patient.
If you or your loved one has been vomiting coffee grounds, you should urgently call an ambulance. Until this moment (that is, until the doctors arrive), the sick person should lie on the bed in a motionless state. At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to take any food or drink plain water.
To alleviate the patient's condition, it is required to place a tight ice pack on the area of his abdomen. This procedure should noticeably reduce bleeding.
As soon as the patient is transported to a medical facility, the specialist must immediately begin to determine the cause of the accumulation of blood in the stomach. The sooner it is detected, the sooner the patient's condition will return to normal.
Thus, it can be safely noted that it is not the symptom in the form of vomiting that is being treated, but the underlying disease that caused it.
Usually, the actions of medical specialists regarding a patient with a considered pathological phenomenon include the following activities:
- the process of replenishing blood volume, especially with large blood loss for a long time;
- detection of causes of vomiting and source of bleeding;
- the process of stopping bleeding.
The latter includes the use of various medications prescribed by a doctor. In case of urgent need, the patient is prescribed surgery.
