White vomit, especially if foamy, is usually a mix of stomach acid, mucus, and swallowed air, often signaling an empty stomach, acid reflux (GERD), gastritis, stomach bug, or after drinking alcohol or eating certain foods; it's called frothy vomit, mucus vomit, or sometimes relates to bilious vomiting syndrome if it's early morning bile, but generally, it's just gastric contents mixed with air/mucus.
Your white and foamy vomit may be a result of: Acid reflux: occurs when stomach acid flows upwards into your oesophagus, causing irritation and regurgitation. These symptoms are particularly worse at night and are often caused by either gastroesophageal reflux disease or a hiatal hernia.
Red Vomit (hematemesis)
When you have a significant amount of vomit that is bright red in color or resembles coffee grounds, you should contact your doctor immediately. This can be the result of multiple conditions including, but not limited to: Liver failure. Cancer of the stomach, pancreas, or esophagus.
Seek medical attention urgently for accurate diagnosis and treatment if your vomit is red, brown, or black colored and accompanied by unsettling symptoms like abdominal pain, chest pain, fever, chills, and signs of dehydration.
The vomiting may be clear, yellow, or green in mild cases. Blood-streaked or completely bloody vomit may be experienced in acute erosive gastritis cases, usually several days after the onset of the condition.
Pink or red: Pink or red vomit may indicate the presence of blood. Bright red could suggest fresh blood from the esophagus or stomach, while a pink tinge might mean diluted blood. Causes could range from a tear in the esophagus to peptic ulcers or more serious conditions like stomach cancer.
Nausea and vomiting in palliative care are commonly experienced symptoms, and the aetiology is often multifactorial. The most common causes are impaired gastric emptying, chemical causes (eg medication) and visceral causes (eg constipation).
Coughing and vomiting white foam could be linked to acute asthma or accidental ingestion of substances like hydrogen peroxide.
Speak to your GP if:
Green or yellow colour is caused by bile, which is a fluid made by the liver. Bile in the vomit is usually caused by a blockage or twisting in the intestine or bowel.
Make an appointment with your doctor if: Vomiting lasts more than two days for adults, 24 hours for children under age 2 or 12 hours for infants. You've had bouts of nausea and vomiting for longer than one month. You've experienced unexplained weight loss along with nausea and vomiting.
Pregnancy frequently causes nausea and vomiting. It is often called "morning sickness," but it can occur any time of day or night. This type of nausea and vomiting usually starts around 5 weeks of pregnancy and is at its worst at about 9 weeks. It usually disappears by about 16 to 18 weeks.
Green or yellow colour is caused by bile, which is a fluid made by the liver. Bile in the vomit is usually caused by a blockage or twisting in the intestine or bowel. The intestines and bowel are organs in the digestive system that process food and remove waste from the body as poo.
While there's nothing you can do to stop this entirely, there are a few things that can help prevent heartburn from flaring up during pregnancy:
Foods that can trigger reflux:
Five key warning signs during pregnancy needing immediate medical attention include vaginal bleeding, severe headaches with vision changes, decreased baby movement, severe abdominal pain/cramping, and signs of preterm labor like regular contractions or fluid leakage, as these can signal serious issues like miscarriage, preeclampsia, placental problems, or infection. Always contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care for these symptoms.
Symptoms may include stomach pain, belching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bleeding, feeling full, and blood in vomit or stool. In most cases, you will be given antacids and other medicines to reduce your stomach acid. Don't have foods or drinks that irritate your stomach lining.
Vomiting bile is not always a sign of serious illness. Vomiting green or yellow bile on an empty stomach is common, as the body has nothing else to expel but digestive juices. Furthermore, vomiting is a natural bodily mechanism to eliminate toxins; it can also be caused by gastrointestinal infection or medication.
Gastritis may occur suddenly (acute gastritis) or appear slowly over time (chronic gastritis). In some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't serious and improves quickly with treatment.
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.
Symptoms of early pregnancy include missed periods, nausea and vomiting, breast changes, tiredness and frequent urination. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by other factors such as stress or illness. If you suspect you may be pregnant, see your doctor.
Dehydration during pregnancy can cause issues and, if severe enough, serious complications for you and your baby. It can also sneak up on you quickly, so if you notice darker-than-usual urine, dizziness, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, and an unquenchable thirst, these are red flags that you need fluids ASAP.
The feeling that one is about to vomit is called nausea; it often precedes, but does not always lead to vomiting.