Vomiting is one of the body's normal responses to the presence of foreign substances or microorganisms in the body, however it can also be a sign of gastric diseases, and should therefore be investigated and treated as soon as possible.
The color of the vomit can also indicate the person's health status, which may be yellow or green in case of colds or even fasting, or black when there are serious digestive diseases that lead to bleeding in organs of the digestive system and result in the release of blood through the mouth.
The color of the vomit can inform the doctor about the person's health, thus being able to start treatment and prevent complications.
1. Yellow or green vomiting
Yellow or green vomiting mainly indicates the release of bile that is in the stomach, often due to fasting, an empty stomach or intestinal obstruction, for example. Bile is a substance produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder and its function is to promote the digestion of fats and facilitate the absorption of nutrients in the intestine.
Thus, when the stomach is empty or when the person has a condition that leads to intestinal obstruction, and the person vomits the entire contents of the stomach, and begins to release bile through vomiting and the more bile released, the more greenish the vomit is.. In addition to the release of bile, green or yellow vomiting can be caused by:
- Presence of phlegm, being more common in children with colds or flu; Consumption of yellow or green food or drinks; Release of pus due to an infection; Poisoning.
Yellow or green vomiting does not normally represent serious situations, and may be just an indication that the stomach is empty, for example. However, when accompanied by other symptoms or when it is very frequent it can mean serious health problems, it is important to go to the doctor.
What to do: In addition to consulting the gastroenterologist or general practitioner when vomiting is frequent or associated with other symptoms, it is also important to drink plenty of fluids, such as water or coconut water, to avoid dehydration and worsening of symptoms, in addition to maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.
2. Black vomit
Black vomiting is usually indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding, consisting mainly of undigested blood and is called hematemesis. Usually black blood appears associated with other symptoms, such as dizziness, cold sweat and bloody stools.
Gastrointestinal bleeding corresponds to bleeding somewhere in the digestive system, which can be classified as high or low according to the affected organ. This bleeding can be caused by the presence of ulcers in the stomach or intestine, Crohn's disease and cancer of the intestine or stomach, for example.
Learn more about blood vomiting.
What to do: In the case of black vomiting, it is important to go to the doctor as soon as possible so that tests can be performed and the cause can be identified, starting the treatment, which can be done through blood transfusion, use of medications or even even surgery, depending on the cause. In addition, it is also recommended to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
