This could indicate a serious medical concern, like ahiatal herniaor intestinal blockage.
Treatment may include self-care or medical therapies, depending on the underlying cause and symptom severity.
Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
Causes
Yellow vomit is a sign there was bile in your stomach.
Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
Bile is a greenish-yellow liquid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
From there, it’s released into the small intestine when needed to digest fats.
Bile isn’t usually found in the stomach, but there are many reasons it can end up there.
Then, you may throw up yellow bile.
Bile reflux often develops after gallbladder surgery and other gastrointestinal surgeries like agastric bypass.
Intestinal Blockage
An intestinal blockage happens when the intestines are physically blocked or damaged by disease.
Ongoing vomiting can pull bile up into the stomach, leading to vomit that’s greenish-yellow.
Certain Medications
Certain medications can relax the pyloric sphincter, allowing bile to seep into the stomach.
A hiatal hernia is more common in older adults and people with obesity.
A hiatal hernia can also cause heartburn, upset stomach, throat irritation, belching, and regurgitation.
Two common causes of such pressure include being overweight or pregnant.
What Do Different Bile Colors Mean?
Bile contains two colored substancesyellow bilirubin and green biliverdin.
When to Seek Medical Care
Vomiting yellow bile may or may not signal a serious problem.
Underlying health issues will require medical care.
At-Home Care
The stomach flu needs to run its course.
These include:
You’ll likely need surgery to repair a hiatal hernia or eliminate an intestinal obstruction.
This is especially true ofsaturated fatsfound in animal-derived foods.
You’ll fully recover with self-care, lifestyle changes, medications, or medical care.
If vomiting is related to severe issues that require surgery, the outlook is less positive.
However, health conditions like bile reflux can also cause the problem.
In many cases, treatment includes self-care, over-the-counter medications, and lifestyle changes.
For more serious underlying problems, like intestinal obstruction or hiatal hernia, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery.
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