Wondering What the Color of Your Vomit Means for Your Health? Consult This Chart

Needing to throw up is bad enough. The last thing you want to do after surrendering at the “porcelain altar” is stare at the result.

But according to urgent care physician Allan Capin, MD, the color of your vomit can tell you a lot about your health.

Dr. Capin walks us through a vomit color chart and offers advice on how to proceed post-puke.

The meaning behind vomit colors

“Vomit comes in many colors, and each may tell us about what might be happening in your body,” Dr. Capin says.

Vomit color analysis isn’t an exact science. And there are exceptions to every rule. For example, the color could simply reflect what you ate and drank before getting sick. But generally speaking, puke comes in the following nine colors.

Green

Your throw up is green when it’s composed of bile, a fluid produced by your liver, which aids in digestion. Bile breaks down the fats in the food you eat. When your bile has a green hue, it’s probably undigested. In other words, it hasn’t made it into your stomach to process those fats.

A single instance of green vomit probably isn’t cause for concern.

“If you repeatedly vomit bile and have other symptoms like abdominal pain, it could signal a more serious problem, like bile reflux, a stomach infection (gastroenteritis) or an intestinal blockage,” Dr. Capin clarifies.

Yellow

Like green puke, yellow puke is typically made up of bile. But in this case, it’s been digested. That usually means you’re vomiting on an empty stomach, which is why this is a color you’re likely to see if you’ve got a stomach bug, food poisoning or got sick while fasting.

Like green vomit, yellow vomit isn’t usually something you need to see a doctor for. That said, it could be a sign of a gastrointestinal condition like:

• Bile reflux
• Intestinal blockage
• Stomach infection (gastroenteritis)
• Stomach irritations (gastritis)

If you have other troubling symptoms in addition to vomiting yellow fluid, have recently had surgery or have been binge drinking, Dr. Capin recommends reaching out to a provider.

Clear

If your vomit has no color at all, you’re likely throwing up saliva, mucus and not much else. It’s only worth seeing your provider about if it’s happening frequently or is part of a larger illness.

“Clear vomit usually happens when your stomach is empty, or you’ve been vomiting frequently. When you feel nauseated, you tend to swallow more saliva. The lack of color is common if you have morning sickness or are battling a persistent stomach bug,” Dr. Capin notes. It could also happen if you’re dealing with severe nasal congestion.

White or foamy

White colored vomit is usually a product of mucus and stomach acid. If it’s foamy, there’s probably some air mixed up in there, too. Unless you have other symptoms, it’s rarely something to worry about.

“If your vomit is white or foamy, it usually means you have acid reflux, indigestion or the start of an infection. Call your provider if it keeps happening, or it’s accompanied by other concerning symptoms, such as white patches in your throat or cramping,” Dr. Capin advises.

Orange

If you’re throwing up orange fluid, it’s probably a mixture of stomach acid and partially digested food.

“Orange-tinged vomit is common in early vomiting episodes,” Dr Capin explains. “You might also have orange vomit if you have an illness that’s impacting your ability to digest food.”

Pink

Unless you’ve eaten something red or pink, pink vomit is a sign that you’re vomiting blood (hematemesis).

Call a provider and tell them what’s going on. They’ll decide whether you need to come see them or go straight to the nearest emergency room.

Red

Unless you’ve been eating bright red food, red vomit means you’re throwing up concentrated fresh blood. Dr. Capin says this qualifies as a medical emergency.

“Red blood hasn’t had time to travel through your whole GI [gastrointestinal] tract and turn brown or black,” he explains. The color changing to brown or black means the blood has come in contact with stomach acid.

“Gastrointestinal bleeding could be the result of a peptic ulcer or a perforation somewhere in your esophagus, stomach or duodenum,” Dr. Capin adds.

The sooner you get help — and the more information you share about your medical history — the faster emergency medical staff can pinpoint the cause.

Brown or ‘coffee grounds’

If your vomit is brown or resembles coffee grounds (and you haven’t been eating dark chocolate or another dark brown food), you have a medical emergency on your hands. You’re either bringing up partially digested blood or fecal matter (poop).

“This usually happens when there’s a bleed somewhere in your upper GI tract, a bowel obstruction or you’re severely constipated. Whatever the reason, it’s a serious situation that may require more immediate medical attention,” Dr. Capin states.

Black

Black vomit is typically digested blood that has oxidized. It’s a sign of internal bleeding happening somewhere in your GI tract. Treat it as a medical emergency.

“There are lots of conditions that can cause it, from gastrointestinal perforations to certain types of cancer,” Dr. Capin reports. “It can also be a side effect of medications, supplements and other substances. So, tell the doctor everything you’re taking — and I mean everything.”

When vomiting is an emergency

Red, brown, black or coffee-ground-esque vomit are all medical emergencies. As for pink vomit, contact a provider. They can decide whether it qualifies as an emergency based on your health history.

Regardless of the color, Dr. Capin says this event should be shared with a medical provider. He recommends making special note of the following:

• Exactly what the vomit looks like (take a picture if possible)
• Whether you’re vomiting on an empty stomach
• Any other symptoms you have
• Everything you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications, supplements, herbal remedies and more
• Chronic conditions, recent surgeries and whether this has happened before, along with other relevant health information

For all other colors, knowing when to get care depends largely on your age and symptoms.

“There are some symptoms that you always need to get help right away for because, combined with vomiting, they could point to a serious medical condition,” Dr. Capin explains. “For example, vomiting after a traumatic injury — especially a head injury — could suggest that your brain has been affected.”

You should also get immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing:

• Diarrhea
• A severe headache or stiff neck
• Extreme fatigue
• Confusion, disorientation or reduced alertness
• Severe abdominal pain or muscle cramping
• Dark urine (or you aren’t able to pee)
• Poop that is black or tarry
• Rapid breathing, difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Dizziness or difficulty standing
• A pulse that’s over 100 beats per minute at rest (tachycardia)

When to go to the doctor

Some vomiting episodes don’t mean you have to rush to the emergency department, but they do warrant a visit with a healthcare provider.

Dr. Capin recommends going to a provider or an urgent care facility for vomiting under the following circumstances:

• You keep vomiting. “Adults and children over 6 years old should see their provider if they’ve been vomiting persistently over a 24-hour period,” he advises. “Kids under 6 need to get seen sooner. Take them to the doctor if they’ve been vomiting for 12 hours. This age group is at risk for rapid dehydration.”
• Home treatments aren’t working. If plenty of rest, clear fluids, over-the-counter medications and home remedies like ginger tea aren’t settling your stomach, you may need a prescription-strength antiemetic (anti-vomit medicine).
• You’re showing signs of dehydration. Pick up the phone if you’re extremely thirsty or feel like your skin, mouth or eyes are unusually dry. You may need an IV to restore your fluid and electrolyte levels. “Infants and children under 18 should get medical attention if they haven’t peed in over six hours,” Dr. Capin urges. “For adults, it’s concerning after nine or 10 hours.”
• You have a fever. How high a fever needs to be to warrant a trip to the doctor depends on your age, your symptoms and whether you’ve tried taking a fever-reducer.

Bottom line? Use your best judgment. And don’t be afraid to contact your provider with questions. When it comes to vomiting, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.