Heartburn: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have blood in your vomit?

See significance of blood in vomit if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have more than a small streak of bright red blood in your vomit?

Yes

Do you have material that looks like coffee grounds in your vomit?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had a streak of bright red blood in your vomit, and you are not sure whether the blood is coming from your nose or your mouth when you vomit?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had streaks of blood in your vomit for 24 hours or longer, and you are sure the blood is coming from your nose or your mouth when you vomit?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	September 06, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer