Dizzy and Concerned: Experiencing Dark Vomiting
It’s currently 4:15 AM for me, but earlier around 4 PM, I began feeling lightheaded, sneezing, and shivering when the fan's breeze touched my skin. I wanted to share my recent experience that has left me quite anxious. Back in February to March, I was hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis. Luckily, I have since recovered, but now, in September, I've encountered a troubling situation. I vomited a dark brown and black mixture, which has raised my alarm. While my bowel movements appear normal, I've gone through four separate episodes of vomiting. Each session involved 3 to 4 bouts. In the initial episodes, the vomit was predominantly greenish-yellow, but by the third occurrence, it shifted to a darker hue with sticky black elements. It was during the fourth episode that I really started to worry and conducted some research. I came across information suggesting that this could indicate internal bleeding, which has left me quite distressed. I’m seeking clarity and reassurance about these symptoms.
Answers (1)
9/2/2025, 8:20:39 PM
OpenHealth AI
I understand that you are feeling anxious about your symptoms, particularly the dark vomit and your past experience with gastroenteritis. It's important to address your concerns effectively as the changes in your vomiting can indicate serious issues.
Main Points:
- Dark vomit may suggest internal bleeding but can also result from other factors.
- Immediate attention is crucial given the nature and frequency of your vomiting.
Explanation:
The dark brown and black color in vomit can indicate the presence of old blood, which can be a serious condition known as "melena." This occurs when blood has been digested, often due to issues within the gastrointestinal tract. However, vomit can also change color due to substances like bile (which could explain the greenish-yellow color you mentioned) or foods, so it's not always a clear-cut indicator of internal bleeding.
Your symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, and persistent vomiting raise significant concern and merit immediate evaluation.
Next Steps:
-
Seek Immediate Help: Given the nature of your symptoms, especially the vomiting of dark material, it's essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This might include visiting an urgent care facility or an emergency room.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any additional symptoms that arise, such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, fever, or increased dizziness. This information will be helpful for the healthcare provider.
-
Stay Hydrated: Until you can seek medical help, try to stay hydrated by sipping small amounts of clear fluids like water or electrolyte solutions. Avoid solid foods until vomiting stops.
-
Rest: If possible, try to rest and minimize physical activity to help your body cope with the stress of ongoing symptoms.
Reassurance:
It's completely natural to feel anxious about these symptoms, especially with your medical history. Taking prompt action by seeking medical evaluation can provide clarity and appropriate care, addressing your concerns effectively. Please take care and prioritize bringing these symptoms to professional attention.
Related Questions
Experiencing Temple Pain After Lake Swimming
I’m a 23-year-old male, standing at 6’3" and weighing 190 pounds. This past weekend, I enjoyed a swim at the lake, but now it has been three days and I’m starting to experience severe pain in my temples. During the outing, I went tubing on a jet ski, fell off, and ended up with water rushing into my mouth and nose. Honestly, I’m feeling anxious about the possibility of contracting Naegleria fowleri. Can anyone inform me whether this could be a concern and what steps I should take next? I've been feeling extremely fatigued, with persistent discomfort behind my eyes and in my temples.
Concern over Pupil Dilation After Night Out
Hello! I recently enjoyed a night out dancing with my boyfriend at a club, and something unusual happened. I noticed that one of my pupils remained dilated for about two hours afterwards. By the time I made it to the emergency room for an evaluation, the dilation had returned to normal. With Halloween approaching, I'm anxious about encountering strobe lights again. Can anyone explain what might have caused this?
Bumps on Outer Knee: Seeking Insights
Height: 6’2", Weight: 140 pounds I have developed two small, pea-sized bumps located on the outer side of my left knee, just above the kneecap. They become visible when my knee is fully flexed, pushing slightly against my skin. Lately, I've been experiencing a persistent ache and a burning sensation in the same region of my left leg. As a UPS employee, I often utilize my left leg to step down from the truck, balancing on the last step while my right foot is on the ground, and my body is angled toward the front of the vehicle. I share this context because imitating that movement led me to suspect it may have contributed to my condition over time. When my knee is bent, I can sense the pressure on the outer part where the bumps appear. Over the years, there have been occasional instances when I felt a strange ripping sensation in the same area; it was as if a part of my knee joint was on the verge of breaking through the surface of my skin—but without any accompanying pain, just an unsettling feeling. Applying pressure to these bumps results in a tingling sensation at the point of contact, which varies in intensity at different times. Reflecting back, during my initial days at work, I wore cheap shoes from Walmart that caused severe knee pain after just three days of use, though the specifics are a bit hazy. I can’t help but wonder whether that might have caused some lasting damage which went unnoticed. Throughout the years, I've dealt with intermittent issues related to the same knee; it was mostly characterized by sensations of pain, weakness, and instability that would typically resolve with the aid of a knee sleeve. However, this latest development has introduced ongoing discomfort that persists even when I’m off the clock. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, but I wanted to reach out and see if anyone else has faced similar experiences.
Seeking Answers to My Ongoing Health Concerns
I am a 27-year-old female experiencing a range of troubling health issues. My past medical history includes a bout of hepatitis A (or possibly autoimmune hepatitis; my physician mentioned that the tests couldn't differentiate between the two), which caused significant illness for several months in 2021. My maternal grandmother had autoimmune hepatitis, and I also contend with hyperinsulinemia—without the presence of diabetes—alongside two hypoglycemic seizures in the same year. Additionally, I've struggled with hidradenitis suppurativa since I was nine years old and have tested positive for both strains of HSV since I was sixteen. In terms of family health history, my mother has battled cervical cancer and leukemia, while my maternal grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer. Both of my maternal aunts have faced ovarian cancer. Over the past couple of years, I have generally felt unwell. It began with significant pain during tampon insertion and intercourse, leading me to consult with my OBGYN. An assessment revealed that my IUD had shifted down to my cervix, causing the discomfort, and I was also informed that I have a bicornuate uterus. After the removal of the IUD, my physician assured me that the pain would subside, but two years later, it persists despite engaging in pelvic floor therapy. I’ve additionally experienced issues with urinary leakage, sometimes resulting in not making it to the bathroom in time. In the last 1.5 years, the results of four urinalyses have consistently shown the presence of white blood cells and hematuria. My menstrual cycles have been incredibly irregular; at times, they've been absent for six months, and when they do occur, the blood is dark rather than the typical bright red. I have been using a NuvaRing contraceptive for the past year, and my last Pap smear was conducted 3-4 years ago. Approximately a year ago, I felt like I had contracted the flu, and since then, flu-like symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, severe fatigue, and joint pain, have recurred monthly. Half of the month, I feel feverish, with a temperature consistently ranging from 99 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit, while on days I feel more normal, my temperature is between 96 and 98 degrees. I’ve confirmed that my thermometer is reliable, as I’ll check it against my husband's readings. Excessive sweating, both day and night, has become commonplace for me. Additionally, about four months ago, I discovered a hard lump forming in the lower left quadrant of my abdomen, and my healthcare providers are currently investigating that. Extreme stiffness and pain in my joints have also been problematic; my hips, knees, elbows, and fingers often feel locked, requiring manual assistance to straighten them gradually. A recent CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis indicated constipation and atelectasis in the lower lobes of my lungs. An X-ray revealed new-onset scoliosis, which had not been previously noted since my herniated disc at 19. Upcoming procedures include a colonoscopy and another Pap smear. My lab tests show nothing alarming, except for borderline anemia and slightly elevated ALT levels at 47, along with borderline high calcium. Regarding my bowel movements, I often experience erratic patterns, alternating between constipation and diarrhea, and have even faced incontinence, with bright red blood occurring almost every time. Interestingly, I recently managed a month without any blood in my stool, although mucus has been present on occasion. Visibly, my nails have developed a distinctive half-purple, half-white appearance. Additional skin complications include small lesions on my knuckles that take months to heal and leave scarring. I feel completely drained and frustrated; it seems like my doctors are simply passing me around, and I'm getting the impression that they view my issues as psychosomatic. While I recognize stress can impact health, my life hasn’t become more stressful than it usually is, and I want to ensure nothing is overlooked. I've also experienced a pervasive sense of mortality, as though I'm deteriorating physically. My husband has noticed changes in my mobility; getting out of bed often entails a struggle to straighten my back and walk without a limp, which feels like unlocking stiff joints. I frequently experience dizziness upon standing, a symptom that traces back to my hepatitis A episode in 2021. Given my myriad of symptoms, I am at a crossroads. I am uncertain about what I should do next. Should I keep attending these appointments, which seem to be spaced out months apart, or is it time to accept this as my new normal and learn to cope with it?
Severe Discomfort in the Upper Right Abdomen Following Acetaminophen Intake
A 25-year-old AFAB individual residing in Spain, of height 5'4" (163 cm) and weight 115 lbs (52 kg), currently prescribed Zoloft and using Minoxidil, abstains from alcohol, smoking, and recreational drug use. Approximately 20 hours ago, I experienced a headache attributed to poor posture and decided to take 1000 mg of acetaminophen, despite not having eaten for around 10 hours. I consumed it with a glass of water, leaving my stomach largely empty. A few hours later, I woke up to an uncomfortable abdominal sensation that was particularly intense in the upper right quadrant. While the pain wasn’t excruciating, it was bothersome enough to draw my attention. In an effort to alleviate any potential gas buildup from fasting, I ate a banana and went back to bed, after which the discomfort subsided by the time I awoke again. It’s worth noting that I frequently experience abdominal and chest pain, typically centralized on the left side, making this incident somewhat atypical for me. Naturally, I sought information online and became alarmed by the suggestion that I might have overdosed on acetaminophen and could require emergency medical attention. Generally, I have taken 1000 mg doses without any adverse effects but have always ensured to eat beforehand. No other symptoms, such as jaundice, have surfaced, although I do have Gilbert's syndrome to consider. My liver function has been assessed previously and was reported to be in excellent health. I had blood tests a few months back with favorable results, and a physician confirmed my liver’s condition as optimal back in 2022. **Summary**: Brief sharp pain in what may have been the liver region after ingesting 1000 mg of acetaminophen on an empty stomach. The discomfort has ceased several hours ago. Should I be worried?