Haematemesis
Haematemesis
Haematemesis (pronounced: hee-muh-tem-uh-sis) is a medical term that refers to the vomiting of blood. This condition can be a sign of various underlying health issues, including peptic ulcers, gastritis, or esophageal varices.
Etymology
The term "haematemesis" is derived from the Greek words "haima" meaning "blood" and "emesis" meaning "vomiting".
Causes
Haematemesis can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Peptic ulcers: These are sores that develop on the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus.
- Gastritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach lining.
- Esophageal varices: These are abnormal, enlarged veins in the lower part of the esophagus. They can bleed and potentially cause haematemesis.
- Mallory-Weiss syndrome: This is a condition characterized by tears in the mucous membrane at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, which can lead to bleeding and haematemesis.
Symptoms
In addition to vomiting blood, other symptoms associated with haematemesis may include:
- Melena: Dark, tarry stools caused by the presence of partially digested blood.
- Syncope: Fainting or loss of consciousness.
- Pallor: Pale skin color.
- Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate.
Treatment
Treatment for haematemesis depends on the underlying cause. This may include medications to treat ulcers or gastritis, endoscopic treatments for esophageal varices, or surgery in severe cases.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Haematemesis
- Wikipedia's article - Haematemesis
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