Yellow Vomit

Overview

Yellow vomit happens when stomach contents mix with bile, a greenish-yellow digestive fluid made by the liver. This bile helps break down fats in the small intestine. So, if someone throws up and it’s yellow, it means bile from the small intestine has mixed with the stomach’s contents and been thrown up.

What is Yellow bile? 

Yellow bile is a fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It helps digest fats and has a greenish-yellow liquid because of substances like bilirubin. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider if the vomiting is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, sore throat, heartburn, or abdominal pain.

What is an orange throw-up? 

Orange vomit can happen if you’ve eaten orange-colored foods or drinks (like orange juice or carrots) or if bile mixes with stomach contents, giving the vomit an orange color because of the bile pigments.

What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic common digestive disorder where stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining (esophagus). This can cause common symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a sour taste in the mouth. Managing GERD typically involves lifestyle changes, such as diet modifications and weight management, as well as medications to reduce stomach acid production or strengthen the esophageal sphincter.

Causes

Yellow vomit can happen when there’s bile mixed in. Bile is a digestive fluid that’s yellowish-green and comes from the liver. If you’ve vomited bile, your treatment plan will vary based on the underlying yellow vomit causes.

• Bile Reflux

Bile moves backward from the small intestine into the stomach and throat, causing yellow vomit. This can be due to common digestive disorders like stomach ulcers, gastritis, or certain surgeries. When you feel a burning sensation that radiates toward the throat or mouth, it could be because of bile reflux.

• Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining can cause irritation and vomiting with bile mixed in. It can be caused by infections, excessive alcohol, certain medications, or autoimmune diseases.

• Gastroenteritis

Stomach and intestine infections often cause vomiting along with diarrhea. Bile can be present in vomit during these infections.

• Gallbladder Problems

Common digestive disorders like gallstones or inflammation can block bile flow, causing it to back up into the stomach and lead to yellow vomit.

• Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas can disrupt bile flow, leading to yellow throw-ups along with severe stomach pain.

• Duodenal Issues

Problems with the first part of the small intestine can cause bile reflux vomit and yellow vomit.

• Food Poisoning

Some types of food poisoning can affect bile ducts or the gallbladder, causing yellow throw-up.

• Medication Side Effect

Certain medications can irritate the stomach or affect bile, leading to yellow vomit.

• Pregnancy

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause bile reflux and yellow vomit, especially in severe cases. Morning sickness can also sometimes manifest with yellow vomit. Because people with morning sickness often have an empty stomach, when vomiting does occur, all that may come out is bile, fluids, stomach acid, and mucus.

• Intestinal Blockages

Anything blocking the intestines can disrupt bile flow and cause yellow vomit. Individuals with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and lupus are at especially high risk of intestinal blockage.

• Liver Diseases

Serious liver diseases can affect bile production and flow, resulting in yellowish vomit.

What causes bile vomiting? 

Bile vomiting happens when something goes wrong with how bile moves through the digestive system, like if there are gallbladder problems (such as gallstones), blockages in the bile ducts, or bile flowing back into the stomach due to stomach or digestive issues.

What Do Different Bile Colors Mean?

The vomit color can vary depending on various factors. Here is a possible vomit color chart:

• Yellow or Green: This is the normal color of bile. It is typically yellow-green in appearance and is produced by the liver to aid in digestion. Green vomit can sometimes be seen if bile mixes with stomach acids. If you’re throwing up bile, your doctor will likely prescribe ursodeoxycholic acid or a bile acid sequestrant.
• Brown: Bile turns brown as it passes through the digestive system and interacts with enzymes. Brown vomit is typically normal and indicates healthy digestion.
• Red or Pink: Pink or red vomit can indicate the presence of blood. This could be due to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as from an ulcer or esophageal varices. Vomiting blood is a concerning symptom that requires immediate medical attention.
• White or Clay-colored: White or clay-colored bile can indicate a blockage in the bile ducts, preventing bile from reaching the digestive system. This could be due to conditions like gallstones or pancreatic cancer. It also requires medical attention.
• Orange: Orange bile can sometimes be seen if bile mixes with food particles or if there is a problem with bile flow. It may also occur after consuming certain foods or medications.
• Black: Black vomit is caused by the conditions that cause bloody vomit.

Symptoms

Yellow vomit symptoms are depending on what’s causing it:

• Stomach Pain

This can vary from mild to severe cramps, giving clues about what’s causing the problem, like gastritis or issues with the gallbladder or pancreas.

• Feeling Sick and Throwing Up

Besides yellow vomit, you might feel nauseous and vomit often. Bile in vomit can make it taste bitter.

• Fever

Infections like stomach bugs or pancreatitis can cause a fever along with yellow vomit.

• Jaundice

If the problem is related to the liver or bile ducts, your skin and eyes might turn yellow due to high levels of bilirubin.

• Digestive Disorders

Many issues causing yellow vomit can make you lose your appetite because of feeling sick, in pain, or having digestive problems.

• Diarrhea

Sometimes, yellow vomit can come with diarrhea, especially if there’s something wrong with the small intestine.

• Dehydration

Lots of vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can cause a dry mouth, less pee, dizziness, and weakness.

• Losing Weight

Serious or long-lasting stomach problems like gastritis or pancreatitis can make you unintentionally lose weight.

• Feeling Tired

Chronic illnesses or severe digestive issues can make you feel tired and weak because your body isn’t getting the right nutrients.

• Severe Abdominal Pain

It can indicate a serious underlying condition, such as appendicitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal obstruction, or a perforated ulcer.

If you vomit bile more than once, you could be having a medical condition responsible for the problem.

Diagnosis

Primary care physicians will work to find out why someone is vomiting by going through a yellow vomit diagnosis to determine the underlying cause. 

• Talking About yellow vomit Symptoms: The physician asks about when the yellow vomiting started, how often it happens if there’s any pain or fever, recent health illnesses, medications, and past medical history.
• Physical Check-Up: The Primary care physician checks for signs of dehydration, tender areas in the belly, and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), which can give clues about what’s wrong with the stomach and intestines.
• Blood Tests: These help check liver function, signs of infection or inflammation, and levels of certain substances that can show specific conditions.
• Stool Tests: Examining stool samples can find infections or problems causing the yellow vomit.
• Urine Tests: These provide info on kidney function and can show if there are issues with the liver or gallbladder.
• Ultrasound: Sound waves create pictures of the organs to look for issues like gallstones or inflammation.
• CT Scan or MRI: These detailed images help find problems like pancreatitis, tumors, or blockages in the bile ducts.
• Endoscopy: A camera is used to check the upper digestive tract for ulcers, inflammation, or other issues.
• HIDA Scan: This test uses a special substance to see how well the gallbladder and bile ducts work.
• Liver Biopsy: Taking a tiny bit of liver tissue to check for specific liver diseases.
• ERCP: Combining a camera and X-ray to look closely at bile and pancreatic ducts.
• Laparoscopy: Minimally invasive surgery to directly see inside the abdomen and take tissue samples if needed.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. IBS symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but it is thought to involve a combination of gut-brain axis dysfunction, increased sensitivity of the intestines, and gastrointestinal motility issues. Managing IBS typically involves dietary modifications, stress management, and sometimes medication to alleviate symptoms.

Treatment

The yellow vomit treatment depends on what’s causing it. Yellow vomit is a sign that something’s not right in the digestive system, likely involving bile or other digestive fluids. Here’s how it’s usually treated: 

• Gastritis

Doctors might give medicines to lower stomach acid, suggest avoiding alcohol or painkillers like aspirin, and treat any infections.

• Gallbladder Issues

Yellow vomit treatment could involve pain relief, changing your diet (avoiding fatty foods), or even having surgery to remove the gallbladder.

• Gastroenteritis

Rest, drink lots of fluids like oral rehydration solutions, and take medicines to help with nausea and diarrhea.

• Pancreatitis

You might need to stay in the hospital, not eat for a while to let your pancreas rest, get pain relief, and have fluids through a vein.

• Blocked Bile Duct

This often needs a procedure like ERCP or surgery to clear the blockage.

• Liver Problems

Yellow vomit treatment could include medicines to help your liver, changes to your diet, and treating whatever caused the liver issue (like hepatitis).

• Taking medicines to stop feeling sick and vomiting (antiemetics) or to ease pain in your stomach.
• Avoid foods that can make your symptoms worse, like fatty or spicy foods. Start with simple, easy-to-digest foods and slowly add others back.
• It’s important to drink plenty of fluids, especially if you’re throwing up a lot. Sometimes, you might need fluids through a vein if it’s severe.
• Avoiding things like alcohol, smoking, or certain medications that can make digestive issues worse.
• Finding ways to manage stress, as stress can make stomach problems worse.
• For serious gallbladder or bile duct issues, surgery might be needed.

How do you stop throwing up bile?

To manage throwing up acid, focus on small, frequent sips of clear fluids to stay hydrated. Avoid spicy, fatty foods that can trigger reflux, and consider over-the-counter anti-nausea medications for relief. 

When To See A Doctor

If you keep vomiting yellow or have other troubling yellow vomit symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare professional soon. Get medical help right away if you have bad stomach pain, notice your skin or eyes turning yellow, or feel dehydrated with dizziness or dry mouth. Also, if you have a fever, unexpected weight loss, or see blood in your vomit or stool, it’s urgent to get checked. If you’re pregnant and have severe vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum), visit a Primary care physician for the right care.

Disclaimer

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about yellow vomit or any other medical condition, please see a primary care physician for an accurate yellow vomit diagnosis and personalized treatment suggestions.