What are the Most Common Causes of Black Vomit?

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  • Written By: Mary McMahon
  • Edited By: Kristen Osborne
  • Last Modified Date: 24 July 2018
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Black vomit is usually caused by bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The bleeding is a sign of an underlying medical problem. Patients who vomit black or dark brown blood, bright red blood, or blood that looks like coffee grounds should see a doctor as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment. Occasionally black vomit can be caused by something a patient has eaten, as in the case of a patient who eats a dark food like chocolate cake and then feels sick. If there is no dietary explanation, however, the dark vomit may be a sign of a medical emergency.

When people experience bleeds in the upper gastrointestinal tract, blood can enter the stomach and the enzymes in the stomach break it down, turning it dark brown or black. This causes black vomit. Some reasons for bleeds can include prolonged vomiting leading to tears in the esophagus, tumors, kidney disease, alcoholism, a ruptured ulcer, internal trauma, and hemorrhagic diseases like yellow fever. Certain medications can also contribute to the development of bleeds, especially when combined with other drugs or used with herbal supplements.


Patients rarely experience black vomit alone. They may also feel generally nauseous, have diarrhea, and experience other symptoms. Feeling faint and disoriented and looking pale are significant causes of concern, as they may indicate that a patient is losing blood internally. When someone starts experiencing black vomit, it is advisable to call a doctor, describe the symptoms and the patient's recent history, and get advice about when and where to seek medical attention.

In a hospital or clinic, a patient can be evaluated with an endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract, along with medical imaging studies and other tests. This information will be used to find the source of the bleeding and learn more about why it is happening. Treatments can include surgery and medications, depending on the cause of the bleeding, how much blood the patient has lost, and the patient's general condition.

Some people are at increased risk for bleeds in their upper gastrointestinal tracts. They should be alert to signs of a developing bleed and follow any directions they may have received from their physicians. Leaving a bleed untreated can have serious consequences for a patient, including the development of a life threatening medical emergency. Patients should also be aware that if a bleed was experienced in the past, a subsequent episode may have a different cause and a different approach to treatment may be required.


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Post 11

Is your dog drinking water? Parvo is a killer because it causes vomiting and diarrhea which leads to dehydration - the cause of death. Get to a vet soon!!

Post 10

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is black usually. Most common cause is an ulcer. If it is a singular event I wouldn't worry, multiple times see a physician. Blood turns black when it has a chemical reaction with stomach secretions.

Post 9

I can tell you that black vomit is an ulcer, usually. The other night I threw up twice black vomit and the amount of the second one was more than the first one! I went to the ER and they gave me an IV or protonix and an appointment to go see a gastro doctor when I get back

Post 8

Black vomit from bile? Before it is turned into a fresh steaming pile of poo, it is called bile. When my dad had cancer and was undergoing strong daily radiation and chemo, it made him so ill that the bile leaked from his pancreas and was literally being thrown up. He was actually throwing up his own poop.

Post 7

@CopperPipe: To answer your question, did you happen to take pepto bismol for the nausea? I do know from experience that the bismol pink chewable tablets do cause a black film on your tongue. Strange, but true.

Post 6

In the morning about noon I was throwing up black vomit and my throat was hurting and I had a bad headache. I went to the ER and the doctors said I was fine. Now 2 a.m., I just vomited again and it was bright red and my stomach hurt and my throat hurts really bad and I have a bigger headache. What should I do?

Post 5

Today I vomited black. I don't know what it could be offhand. I've read through the explanations and none of them make sense as to how I could have vomited black. Although I haven't eaten anything black today.

I was told I could have a water infection, and the doctors gave me a prescription. But unfortuantly I was unable to fill that prescription. Now I'm wondering, could a water infection cause the black vomiting? I'm starting to get worried, I'm in absolute agony and I haven't got the slightest idea about what to do.

My mother is making me an appointment at the doctors tomorrow, but they never tell you anything. So I'm posting this message in hope that someone will reply with some kind of information that will keep me kind of up-to-date with what's going on. Much appreciated. --Ash.

Post 4

I had vomited thrice yesterday. the first one was brownish, but the following ones were white and yellow.

could someone tell me if this is the cause of an ulcer.

Post 3

What about if the vomit is normal colored, but you have a black tongue after vomiting? I had a wicked case of food poisoning a few months ago, and I ended up throwing up for several days straight.

The weirdest thing was, my tongue turned almost completely black after a few days of the throwing up. That was the only odd symptom -- the rest of it was straight vomiting and diarrhea, classic food poisoning.

Do you have any idea as to what can cause someone to have a black tongue after vomiting? I recovered completely within the next week, and I'm fine now, so I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but I'm just curious.

Any ideas?

Post 2

What could be some other possible causes of black vomiting? I have been experiencing some vomiting and diarrhea for the past few days, and it's just now started to turn black.

I don't think that I have a GI bleed, since I don't feel dizzy or disoriented, and I don't have a fever or anything like that.

Also, I don't think that it could be food related because the only thing that I've eaten in the past few days is saltines and apple juice.

Could I possibly be throwing up some kind of bile, or something else that's black in the body? If this doesn't clear up soon I'm going to the doctor, but I'd really like to try and figure out what's going on first, just to make sure that it's really serious.

Do you have any idea on what could be causing this, or if I should be concerned?

Post 1

Do these same symptoms apply if the one vomiting is a dog? My dog has been throwing up black vomit and having some pretty bad diarrhea for a few days now, and I'm starting to get worried about him.

I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow, but I would really like to find out as much information as I can before we go -- I'm just really scared that he's bleeding internally or something.

He doesn't seem disoriented or anything, just kind of tired and poky, like he normally does when he gets sick.

Does that make a difference, do you think? Or could you tell me some other symptoms that I should be looking for.

Thanks for the information, and cross your fingers for tomorrow!

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