Vomiting is a protective function of the body. The process provides emergency removal of toxic substances, bolus breakdown products, foreign bodies and fluids from the stomach. This mechanism helps reduce the amount of toxins that can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Green vomiting in adults and children is a symptom of various pathological processes in the body.
Causes of green vomit
The green color of vomit is given either by an excess of green food - spinach puree, green salad, or by the reflux of bile from the gallbladder into the stomach. This substance has a corrosive effect on the walls of the organ. It contracts and a bolus of food soaked in bile is released.
During any episode of vomiting, a small amount of bile is released. The color of the vomit does not change. If you can deal with the first cause - green food - on your own, then vomiting bile requires examination by a doctor.
The causes of green vomiting in adults are most often diseases of the gallbladder, liver and bile ducts.
What to pay attention to:
- Cholelithiasis is the presence of stones in the gallbladder. Sometimes the stones begin to move and the ducts become blocked. One typical symptom is green vomit in adults.
- Alcohol intoxication – excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages provokes poisoning of the body. Bile from the intestines is thrown into the stomach.
- Pancreatitis is an inflammatory process in the pancreas. At the initial stages of the disease, only food remains are found in the vomit. With the development of pathology, they acquire a greenish tint due to the admixture of bile.
- Biliary colic – develops against the background of cholelithiasis and may be accompanied by vomiting.
- Pyloric stenosis is an unpleasant symptom that occurs in the morning. At night, the food bolus remains in the stomach, and in the morning the body tries to get rid of it.
- Psychological, stress factors.
- Pregnancy - during the 3rd trimester, episodes of nausea with the release of bile are possible. They are considered a variant of the norm, occur rarely and relief comes after cleaning the stomach.
- Taking medications as a side effect of treatment,
- Infectious diseases - erysipelas, typhus. Vomiting is present at the initial stage. The color is yellow with a green tint.
- When treating cancer with aggressive medications.
Vomits green bile
- Intestinal infections (gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, cholera) . The appearance is associated with the consumption of water and food contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, and pathogenic microorganisms. Sphincters prevent the flow of bile into the stomach area. With the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the digestive organs, the function weakens. Bile enters the stomach, the contents turn green.
- Intestinal obstruction . The intestines are affected by compressive tumors. The release of bile is provoked. Bile comes out in yellow-green masses. The color is characteristic of impaired motor functions of the intestinal tract.
- The malaise could have been provoked by taking strong medications.
- Intoxication with exotic fruits and vegetables of bright colors: kiwi, spinach, avocado. Vomits liquid with greens. AND
- changes in the acidity of gastric juice. The suffering will intensify with sharp, recurring pain in the abdominal area.
- Poisoning with chemicals, poisonous mushrooms . The stomach cannot cope, and diarrhea and vomiting often occur.
- Psychiatric illnesses occur with the described symptoms . Excitement, uncontrollable anger, lack of restraint of emotions lead to a nervous breakdown, provoking vomiting without fever.
What is the danger of green vomit?
In rare cases, the appearance of green vomit is the only sign of a pathological process. Most often, additional symptoms are observed, which require contacting a medical facility.
Risk of vomiting bile:
- dehydration,
- necrosis of the bile ducts due to stenosis,
- general intoxication of the body,
- the effect of caustic bile on the gastric mucosa provokes the appearance of erosions, inflammatory processes,
- changes in the epithelium of the esophagus with the development of Barrett's syndrome, which is considered a precancerous condition.
Other possible complications depend on the reasons that caused the release of bile with the food bolus.
We recommend reading
- High fever, nausea and weakness in an adult: how to treat
- What to do if your child is vomiting and has a stomach ache
- Vomiting and nausea in oncology, first aid, medications
What to do if you are vomiting
You cannot self-medicate; be sure to call an ambulance. There are several ways to make the patient feel better.
- Gastric lavage will remove the remaining toxins in case of alcohol poisoning in an adult. Let the victim drink 1-2 liters of water in one gulp. Induce gagging by pressing on the root of the tongue with your fingers.
- Sorbents remove toxins from the body. Therefore, let the patient drink activated carbon, Polysorb, Smecta. If the sorbents are not accepted by the body, then a gray mass is released, rarely black-gray in color.
Additional symptoms
Additional symptoms depend on the cause of the pathological process.
Table 1. Additional diagnostic signs for green vomit.
| Diseases | Symptoms |
| Gallstones | Pain of a paroxysmal nature, flatulence, bitter taste in the mouth, belching of air, weakness, upset stool, fever |
| Alcohol intoxication | Headaches, loss of consciousness, delirium delirium, inability to navigate in space |
| Pancreatitis | Pain in the hypochondrium, bitter taste in the mouth, after emptying the stomach of the food bolus there is no relief, rarely - diarrhea |
| Biliary colic | Severe pain, the patient rushes about because he cannot find a position in which relief occurs |
| Pyloric stenosis | Depends on the stage of the disease. In the initial stages, vomiting occurs rarely, and there is a feeling of fullness in the stomach. As the disease progresses, attacks develop after each meal. There is dehydration and weight loss. |
| Pregnancy | Normally, there are no additional signs. If any other symptoms appear, hospitalization is indicated. |
| Infectious diseases | Nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, fever, diarrhea. |
| When taking medications | In this case it is a side effect. Other symptoms depend on the patient’s response to the active components of the drug. |
| Cancer | Chemotherapy is used both before and after surgery. For some types of carcinomas, this is the only treatment method. Additional symptoms depend on the location of the tumor, the patient’s response to chemotherapy, and the presence of secondary cancers. |
Green vomit is not a characteristic sign of any disease. Only a doctor after examining the patient will help determine the cause of the appearance of bile in the stomach.
What information is missing from the article?
- Methods for eliminating vomiting in children
- Doctors' opinion
- Medicine Reviews
- Traditional recipes for vomiting
Associated symptoms
Symptoms directly depend on the individual characteristics of the patient and the underlying diagnosis. Many pathologies are similar in clinical picture. It is for this reason that self-diagnosis is ineffective. The main accompanying symptoms include:
- constant nausea;
- pain in the abdomen;
- prostration;
- increased body temperature;
- changes in blood pressure;
- pulse surges;
- paleness of the skin;
- rashes on the skin;
- bowel dysfunction;
- sleep disturbance;
Bouts of vomiting may be accompanied by surges in blood pressure
- increased gas formation;
- burping;
- heartburn;
- dry mouth.
The listed symptoms are common to all diseases. For certain pathologies, there are specific signs that do not appear immediately. Some diseases last a long period and are completely asymptomatic.
Treatment methods for the condition
The cause of the disease should be treated, not the symptoms. If the episode was a one-time event, and then relief came and the condition returned to normal, there is no need to worry. If vomiting with bile recurs, you should contact a medical facility.
Patient management tactics depend on the diagnosis:
- Stones in the gall bladder, pyloric stenosis - only surgery. In case of cholelithiasis, the affected organ is removed; if the lumen is narrowed, measures are taken to restore patency in this area.
- Gallbladder colic – in the initial stages of the disease, it is recommended to use antispasmodics to relieve the attack. If the patient's condition worsens, removal of the gallbladder is indicated.
- Pancreatitis - treatment is carried out only in a hospital. In the first few days, it is forbidden to eat. The digestive system needs to rest. Antibiotics, drugs to suppress the secretory function of the organ, and enzyme drugs are indicated. After stopping the inflammatory process, it is necessary to follow a gentle diet.
- Alcohol intoxication - treatment can be carried out at home. Gastric and intestinal lavage, drinking plenty of fluids, drip administration of glucose, drugs for rehydration, and forcing diuresis are indicated. If the patient's condition worsens, the patient is hospitalized.
- Pregnancy – hospitalization in a specialized hospital according to indications.
- Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - antibiotics, antibacterial drugs, and medications are indicated to normalize the intestinal microflora.
- During chemotherapy, medications are prescribed to inhibit the vomiting center in the brain.
- When using medications, study possible contraindications and side effects. Then consult a doctor to adjust your prescriptions.
Vomits green: treatment with folk remedies
Vomiting is associated with water loss and dehydration. Therefore, the patient must be given warm water or other drink
If there is no nausea, you can drink herbal infusions and teas. Green or yellow vomit in a person is a symptom of inflammation of the liver or gallbladder. To alleviate the condition, medicinal herbs are prescribed. They will calm the enlarged liver, normalize its functioning, and ensure the passage of the excretory tract and the normal outflow of bile.
Herbs from which you can prepare a healing infusion or decoction:
- Burdock (burdock) – relieves inflammation, restores cell structure, relieves pain, has a diuretic, laxative and choleretic effect, and helps eliminate toxins.
- Yarrow – improves intracellular metabolism, expands the duct, relieving their spasm, eliminates pain in the right hypochondrium (a symptom of an enlarged liver), and has a cleansing property.
- Milk thistle – protects hepatocytes (liver cells) from the effects of poisons and toxins.
- Chicory – enhances metabolic processes, microcirculation, promotes blood flow. This saturates the organ with oxygen and restores its structure.
- Dandelion – cleanses ducts and blood vessels.
- Immortelle – relieves pain of any localization.
- Ginger – prevents the development of nausea and heartburn. Stops gagging.
Vomiting black bile
Some of the reasons why black bile may vomit are bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer, or Helicobacter pylori infection. If you have black vomit, call an ambulance immediately!
Author of the article : Irina Surkova, Moscow Medicine Portal ©
Disclaimer : The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional.
