Our stomachs are filled with acid so corrosive that if it were to be placed on a wooden table, it would eat through it. Thankfully, however, our bodies are advanced enough to account for this potential danger, creating a protective mucus lining that covers the inside of the stomach.
This gastric acid is only one component of the fluids required for adequate food digestion, as another fluid made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder is required as well.
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This fluid is called bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps you easily digest and absorb fats. Under normal conditions, bile stays in the gallbladder and is released into the small intestine once it senses fatty food has been eaten.
Gastric juices in the stomach are normally held at bay by gastric sphincters located at the lower esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter), and near the entrance of the small intestine (pyloric sphincter).
Bile is never found in the stomach during normal circumstances, but if a condition were to occur that resulted in the pyloric sphincter opening abnormally—allowing food from the small intestine and the stomach to mix—it can result in a gastric fluid combination that appears yellow, especially when vomited.
Why is Bile Yellow?
Bile, a greenish-yellow liquid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, plays a crucial role in the digestion process. It is released into the small intestine during digestion to break down fats, allowing the absorption of nutrients and other substances in the intestinal walls.
Bile is essential for breaking down and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K. Additionally, bile aids in the breakdown of cholesterol, various types of acids, salts, and minerals present in food. The colour of bile is primarily due to a substance called bilirubin, which naturally has a yellow hue but turns slightly greenish when exposed to air.
Causes of Throwing up Yellow Fluid
Knowing the reasons behind how and why something happens is half the battle. Throwing up yellow fluid over a long period of time may signify a serious problem that should be addressed by a doctor right away. The fact that excessive vomiting is occurring in itself puts one at risk for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be life-threatening.
It is important to recognize that not all vomiting is dangerous, as it is a common reflex that may be triggered due to irritation or even a viral infection—this doesn’t mean that it is ok to neglect such symptoms. The following are various reasons why you may vomit yellow bitter liquid.
Yellow-coloured foods: It may be that you have an excessive amount of yellow-coloured foods in your diet. If you were to vomit, the food debris in the stomach would cause it to take the colour of anything that was previously residing in it. Common foods that can cause this include corn and carrots. This is not a serious concern.
Bile reflux: Occurs when there are excessive amounts of bile in the stomach, and the body tries to get rid of it, resulting in bile being vomited. Peptic ulcers and stomach surgery, such as gallstone removal, may be the main causes of this disorder. Typical symptoms include abdominal discomfort, heartburn, nausea, or hoarseness. This condition needs the attention of a medical professional. This may result in one throwing up yellow bile every morning.
Intestinal blockage: As the name suggests, this results in the blockage of the intestinal tract (normally caused by a twisted intestine). This can be a very dangerous condition if not treated immediately. The condition causes food to move in the opposite direction and induce vomiting. It is most commonly seen as a birth defect that requires surgery.
Respiratory inflammation: Infections of the respiratory tract can result in the vomiting of yellow bile and occur due to the infection producing large amounts of mucus. This mucus harbors bacteria and other infectious microbes that travel down the throat and pollute the stomach. This fluid continually accumulates inside the digestive system, nauseating the person affected until they begin expelling yellow bile, rich in mucus. By treating the respiratory infection—cold or flu—the vomiting of yellow bile will go away.
Pyloric valve malfunction: Often occurring in the elderly, this condition can result in throwing up yellow bile due to pyloric sphincter malfunction. During normal digestion, bile is released into the small intestine to aid in the breakdown of fats. The pyloric sphincter is an opening that separates this portion of the small intestine from the contents of the stomach. In cases where this sphincter does not close properly, bile can enter the stomach, combining with the stomach acid. This can lead to abnormalities such as heartburn, pain, and the throwing up of yellow bile. It is advised to see a medical professional for immediate consultation if this condition is suspected.
Hiatal hernia: A hiatal hernia occurs when a part of the stomach protrudes through a thin muscle called the diaphragm and enters the chest. This can exert pressure on all the stomach’s sphincters, including the pyloric sphincter and LES. Hiatal hernias are more commonly found in older adults and individuals with obesity. Factors such as upper abdominal surgery, trauma, and long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also weaken the diaphragm and increase the risk of developing a hernia. Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include heartburn, stomach discomfort, throat irritation, belching, and regurgitation.
Vomiting on an empty stomach: In case you vomit when your stomach is empty because of something like the stomach flu or Salmonella poisoning, you may only expel mucus, gastric acid, and bile. Vomit in these situations is often greenish-yellow with a sticky consistency and may have small amounts of blood if small blood vessels in the esophagus break. Common accompanying symptoms include chest pain, sore throat, and a bitter taste in the mouth.
Symptoms of Yellow Bile Reflux
Bile reflux can manifest through various symptoms. The primary symptom is diarrhea, which occurs when bile acids fail to be adequately reabsorbed from the ileum and instead pass into the large intestine (colon). This leads to irritation of the colon lining and triggers the secretion of salt and water.
Other symptoms associated with bile reflux include stomach issues like bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, and excessive gas. Heartburn, characterized by a burning sensation that spreads toward the throat or mouth, can also result from bile reflux.
Heartburn typically occurs after meals, when lying down, or after bending over or engaging in heavy lifting. The consumption of hot, spicy, or acidic foods and drinks often triggers heartburn. Regurgitation, which refers to the effortless return of gastric contents into the esophagus and sometimes the mouth, can occur throughout the day or at night.
The regurgitated substances may have an acidic or bitter taste. Although less common, chest pain can be a worrisome symptom of mechanical obstruction that may cause yellow bile vomiting.
Diagnosing Yellow Bile Reflux
The diagnosis of bile reflux involves identifying the presence of bile and measuring its quantity. When there is reflux, a biochemical analysis can be performed to detect the presence of bile in the liquid that has backflowed into the esophagus. Bile should not normally be present in the esophagus, so its presence indicates bile reflux.
The initial step in diagnosing bile reflux is to detect the presence of bile and measure its amount. Based on these initial findings, healthcare providers may request additional tests such as blood tests, upper endoscopy, imaging tests, HIDA scan, esophageal manometry, and esophageal impedance.
How to Stop Throwing Up Bile?
Serious conditions should always be taken care of by the expertise of a highly trained medical professional. However, there are some things you can do to prevent developing some causes of bile vomit and even alleviate it to a degree. The following are some tips you can do right now.
Avoid smoking and drinking: Smoking cigarettes dries the mucous membranes and saliva that are essential in cushioning and guarding the windpipe, potentially leading to bile vomiting. Drinking alcohol may irritate the esophagus and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, creating the ideal environment for reflux and subsequent vomiting bile to occur. Throwing up bile after drinking in excess is also a common occurrence.
Small frequent meals: This may lessen the pressure on the intestine. Large meals may pressure the digestive system into working hard to digest; therefore, the pyloric valve may dysfunction, leading to bile reflux.
Sitting upright after eating: Waiting two-to-three hours after meals to lay down allows food time for digestion, promoting better digestive health.
Limit fat consumption: Limiting fat in the diet will lessen the need for bile production.
Avoid problem food: Certain foods may promote the incidence of acid reflux, including spicy foods and caffeine.
Lose weight: Excess weight seen in obese individuals has been linked to putting undue pressure on the stomach and internal organs. Losing weight will aid in the reduction of acid reflux in this regard and, in some cases, even cure it.
Yellow dock: A herb that is known for its many medicinal properties. It’s ideal for controlling bile and other digestion-related disorders by reducing stomach acid.
What to Eat after Throwing Up Yellow Bile?
Throwing up yellow bile causes dehydration. In fact, this is a common trait of vomiting in general. Therefore, it is advised to stay hydrated regardless if you feel you cannot keep anything down in your stomach. You can accomplish this by taking small sips of water. Replacing lost electrolytes is also vital, and drinking something sweet, such as fruit juice, can aid in getting sugar back into the system.
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Likewise, eating salty crackers can help bring your sodium levels back up to normal levels. Consuming ginger in the form of soda or tea may also aid in relieving nausea and vomiting symptoms.
Although the cause of yellow vomit can be complex, the symptom of vomiting is often treated the same way. For minor cases, this usually mean to simply replace what was lost: water and electrolytes. But in more severe cases, it is best to see a doctor right away.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Vomiting yellow bile can be a sign of a serious condition or something less concerning. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare provider, even if it only happens once, especially if the vomiting is severe or accompanied by other symptoms like diarrhea, heartburn, or abdominal pain. Regardless of the cause, it is crucial to see a healthcare provider if you or your child experience high fever, the inability to retain liquids or food despite vomiting three or more times in a day, continuous vomiting for 24 hours (or 12 hours for infants), recurrent episodes of nausea or vomiting, or nausea lasting more than two days.
Devon Andre has been involved in the health and dietary supplement industry for a number of years. Devon has written extensively for Bel Marra Health. He has a Bachelor of Forensic Science from the University of Windsor, and went on to complete a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh. Devon is keenly aware of trends and new developments in the area of health and wellness. He embraces an active lifestyle combining diet, exercise and healthy choices. By working to inform readers of the options available to them, he hopes to improve their health and quality of life.
