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Mallory-Weiss tear Causes and Risks:
Forceful or prolonged vomiting or coughing causes the tear which is followed by vomiting bright red blood. Factors contributing to this condition are excessive drinking bouts followed by vomiting, violent coughing attacks, or epileptic convulsions . The incidence is 4 out of 100,000 people.
Prevention:
Measures to relieve vomiting and coughing may reduce risk. Avoid excessive alcohol use .
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
The tear usually heals in about 10 days without special treatment. Antacids or H2 blockers (medications that block specific "histamine receptors" in the gastrointestinal tract) may be given. If blood loss has been great, blood transfusions may be indicated. Occasionally tears will need repair, which can often be done using an endoscope (see EGD ). Surgery is rarely required.
Prognosis:
Recurrent bleeding is uncommon, and the outcome is expected to be good, particularly for nonalcoholic patients.
Complications:
- hemorrhage (loss of blood)
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if vomiting blood or if bloody stools develop.
This illustration shows the major organs of the digestive system. Their relative sizes and positioning in the body are also demonstrated.
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