Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Mallory-Weiss syndrome history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The hallmark of Mallory-Weiss syndrome is acute onset of bloody vomiting. A positive history of forceful vomiting and retching are suggestive of Mallory-Weiss syndrome, but may present as an old blood in the stool with no history of retching.
History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
History
Patients usually have a history of forceful vomiting or retching, but some patients may have no history of vomiting or retching.
Specific histories should be obtained about about predisposing factors such as:
- Alcohol intake
- Hiatal hernia
- Straining or lifting
- Coughing
- Seizures
Symptoms
- Bloody vomiting
- Epigastric pain
- Bloody stool
- Light-headedness
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamed Diab, MD [2]