Blood in the vomit may indicate that there is a problem with proper blood clotting.
Coagulation problems can be caused by a variety of factors and are known in medicine as a coagulopathy. Inherited medical disorders, such as hemophilia, are among the most common reasons why blood doesn’t clot as it should. Other possible causes include liver disorders, certain forms of cancer, or long-term use of some types of medications. Symptoms that may indicate a problem with proper blood clotting may include weakness, dizziness, excessive bleeding from receiving a small cut or blood in the stool, or vomiting.
A diagram of the effects of leukemia. Leukemia and some other forms of cancer can prevent blood from clotting properly.
Hemophilia is an inherited disease that causes the blood to not clot normally. This condition causes excessive bleeding after any injury that breaks the skin. Internal bleeding can also occur as a result of hemophilia. Without prompt treatment, hemophilia can be fatal. For reasons that are not fully understood, this disorder primarily affects men, with very few exceptions.
Cancer, prescription drugs, and hereditary diseases can prevent blood from clotting as it should.
Liver diseases can sometimes cause clotting problems. Hepatitis and liver cirrhosis are the most common liver diseases that can cause this symptom. Hepatitis is a type of infection that affects the liver, while cirrhosis leads to the development of severe scarring.
Some forms of cancer carry the risk of causing complications, such as the blood not clotting as it should. This is particularly common in cancers that have spread to the liver, including pancreatic, colon, and breast cancer. Blood cancers like lymphoma or leukemia can also have this effect on the blood.
Patients taking anticoagulants should have regular blood tests to avoid complications such as clotting.
Long-term use of some prescription medications can eventually cause your blood to not clot normally. Medications known as anticoagulants are intended to thin the blood and prolonged use can impair the blood’s ability to clot. Some of the stronger antibiotics can also have this effect. Those taking these types of medications may be advised to have regular blood tests to ensure that this complication does not develop.
Problems with blood clotting can indicate weakness, dizziness, and excessive bleeding after a minor cut.
Any symptoms that indicate the blood may not be clotting as well should be reported to a doctor for further evaluation. These symptoms often include a feeling of weakness or dizziness along with unexpected bruising or difficulty making a cut to stop the bleeding. Bowel movements that are black or dark red in color should definitely be reported to a doctor, as internal bleeding may be present. Blood in the urine or dark vomit that resembles coffee grounds can also sometimes indicate a clotting problem.
