Can you tear your esophagus from vomiting?
My friend was telling me a scary story about throwing up so violently that it caused serious internal injury. Can you actually tear your esophagus from vomiting too much or too strongly?
5 answers
4 months ago
Most liked
Hey, don't panic. While very violent or constant vomiting can sometimes cause small tears in the esophagus lining, it is not very common. If you or someone else is vomiting blood or experiencing severe, sharp chest pain, please don't wait at home; go to the emergency room immediately.
6 months ago
I had food poisoning yesterday and was throwing up continuously, and now my chest and throat feel very sore. Has anyone else felt this kind of burning and pain after vomiting? I am so terrified that I might have damaged something inside.
4 months ago
Yes, medically it's called a Mallory-Weiss tear and it happens from the intense pressure of severe retching. If you see bright red blood in your vomit, it is a clear warning sign. Skip the internet forums and head straight to a gastroenterologist to get it checked out.
Powered by
Consult a internal medicine specialist
yrs exp
6 months ago
Frequent vomiting from diabetic complications like gastroparesis can put a lot of pressure on your throat and food pipe. I always make sure to eat small, digestible meals to avoid nausea. If you are vomiting frequently enough to worry about tears, you must consult your doctor immediately.
6 months ago
In my younger days, I had a severe bout of gastroenteritis and faced a similar scare when my throat became very sore. Most of the time it is just mild irritation from stomach acid, but severe cases need care. Keep yourself hydrated and let a proper doctor examine you if you feel any sharp pain.