What symptom indicates bile is present in vomit?

The presence of a yellow or green color in vomit signifies the presence of bile. Bile is a digestive fluid produced in the liver and is stored in the gallbladder, playing a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of fats. When bile appears in vomit, it typically indicates that the vomit has a high content of this digestive fluid, often due to the reversal of peristalsis, where the stomach contents are forcefully expelled and can include substances from the small intestine, where bile is released into the digestive tract.

In contrast, bright red blood in vomit typically indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as from a tear or ulcer, while a coffee-ground appearance indicates partially digested blood, which could suggest bleeding in the stomach. A black tarry appearance (melena) is often associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding as well, where blood undergoes digestion and takes on a digested form. However, the unique yellow or green hue directly correlates to the presence of bile in the vomit.