Vomiting blood. Blood brought up from the stomach is generally dark in colour and may contain small brown granules resembling coffee grounds. Consequently the vomitus is often referred to as ‘coffee-ground vomiting’. It is one of the main symptoms of PEPTIC ULCER, but it may occur in GASTRITIS, from VARICOCOELES in the OESOPHAGUS or, rarely, cancer of the stomach. Gastritis caused by an irritant POISON, sustained intake of ALCOHOL, or the regular use of certain drugs such as ASPIRIN and NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS) may cause bleeding. Blood may also originate from the nose and throat, be swallowed and then vomited. Persistent small haematemeses or a sudden severe bleed are potentially serious medical emergencies, and the patient should attend hospital urgently (see HAEMORRHAGE).