Fecal vomiting or copremesis is a kind of vomiting wherein the material vomited is of fecal origin. You can vomit up fecal matter. It typically occurs due to an obstruction in the intestines, which requires emergency medical care.While it sounds unpleasant and unusual, it’s possible to vomit up your own fecal matter.Known in medical literature as “feculent vomiting,” throwing up poop is usually due to some type of blockage in the intestines.Learn what causes someone to throw up poop, and how to treat this condition.See full list on healthline.comThere isn’t much scientific research available to explain why someone might throw up their own feces. But there are many anecdotal accounts of people describing this experience. A 1956 article published in The American Journal of Surgery looked specifically at feculent vomiting. Researchers found that throwing up poop, while not common, was associated with some type of intestinal obstruction, including either of the following:•Mechanical intestinal obstruction: A partial or complete blockage of the intestine that’s more common in the small bowel.•Paralytic obstruction (adynamic ileus): With this condition, muscle or nerve problems disrupt the normal muscle contractions of the intestines. A paralytic ileus can cause symptoms of an intestinal blockage, but there’s not a physical blockage.See full list on healthline.comMechanical intestinal obstructionSome causes of a mechanical intestinal obstruction include: •Scar tissue: Adhesions can form after abdominal or pelvic surgery. •Inflammation: Swelling is sometimes caused by other conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis. •Hernia: A hernia happens when areas of the intestine bulge into another part of the body. •Impacted feces: This occurs when a large, hard mass of stool gets stuck in your colon or rectum. •Twisting of the intestine: This condition is called volvulus. •Intussusception: Happens when the intestine pulls inward into itself and is a common cause of blockages in children. •Colon cancer or tumors •Foreign matter in the intestines •Other conditions or injuriesParalytic obstructionA paralytic obstruction may be caused by: •abdominal or pelvis surgery •infection •certain medications, such as antidepressants and opioids •muscle and nerve disorders, such as Parkinson’sSee full list on healthline.comIn anecdotal accounts, people describe throwing up poop as vomiting that’s accompanied by an odor of feces on the breath. Other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration are also present.Symptoms of a bowel obstruction may include:•constipation•abdominal pain or cramps•loss of appetiteSee full list on healthline.comSeek medical care right away if you have symptoms of a bowel obstruction. Bowel obstructions can lead to serious complications if not treated.See full list on healthline.comIf you have an intestinal blockage, your treatment will depend on: •what’s causing the problem•what type of obstruction you haveTypically, you’ll need to be hospitalized with this condition.A complete obstruction usually requires surgery to alleviate the blockage.A partial obstruction may not require any type of medical therapy. Your doctor might recommend a special diet and other measures. If the obstruction doesn’t go away on its own, you may need surgery.See full list on healthline.comIf a bowel obstruction isn’t treated, serious complications can occur, including:•Tissue death. The blockage can cut off the blood supply to part of your intestine and cause tissue in the intestinal wall to die.•Infection. Tissue death can result in a tear in the intestinal wall, which can cause an infection. This type of infection is considered life-threatening and requires swift medical attention.There have been some publicized reports of patients with symptoms of fecal vomiting who have died.In a 2018 Naples Daily News article, reporters describe the death of a 91-year-old Florida woman who threw up a mixture of “bile, blood, and fecal matter,” according to a police report. The woman, who was being cared for in a nursing home, had a severe bowel obstruction and died of septic shock.See full list on healthline.comThrowing up poop is a possible indication that you have some type of bowel obstruction. If this is an issue for you, talk to a medical professional so you can help discover what’s causing this unusual symptom.See full list on healthline.comAug 15, 2025 · Bowel obstruction, a blockage in the intestines, is a serious condition where digested food and fluids cannot pass through normally. This blockage can lead to severe abdominal pain, bloating, decreased appetite, and vomiting, often accompanied by an inability to pass gas or stool. · Many conditions can cause diarrhea and vomiting, including intestinal infections and food poisoning. Less common causes include partial bowel obstruction and pancreatic cancer. According to the... · Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by infections, stress, or medications. It's important to drink fluids with electrolytes to prevent severe dehydration from diarrhea. Children with symptoms should not be given adult medications without consulting a healthcare provider. Feculent vomiting occurs when a complete intestinal obstruction forces partially digested intestinal contents upward. It's typically caused by blockages from hernias, adhesions, tumors, or severe constipation, and requires immediate medical attention. What is throwing up poop?Understand the causes and symptoms of throwing up poop. Learn when to seek medical attention and the treatment options available. Feculent vomiting, also known as throwing up poop or fecal vomiting, is a serious medical condition that requires immediate emergency care.What causes vomiting & diarrhea?Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by infections, stress, or medications. It's important to drink fluids with electrolytes to prevent severe dehydration from diarrhea. Children with symptoms should not be given adult medications without consulting a healthcare provider.Can throwing up poop cause intestinal obstruction?Researchers found that throwing up poop, while not common, was associated with some type of intestinal obstruction, including either of the following: Mechanical intestinal obstruction: A partial or complete blockage of the intestine that’s more common in the small bowel.Why does a woman throw up poop?The woman, who was being cared for in a nursing home, had a severe bowel obstruction and died of septic shock. Throwing up poop is a possible indication that you have some type of bowel obstruction. If this is an issue for you, talk to a medical professional so you can help discover what’s causing this unusual symptom. · Vomiting (throwing up) and diarrhea (watery bowel movements) are common symptoms of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestines. · Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by infections, stress, or medications. It's important to drink fluids with electrolytes to prevent severe dehydration from diarrhea. Children with symptoms should not be given adult medications without consulting a healthcare provider. Feculent vomiting occurs when a complete intestinal obstruction forces partially digested intestinal contents upward. It's typically caused by blockages from hernias, adhesions, tumors, or severe constipation, and requires immediate medical attention. What is throwing up poop?Understand the causes and symptoms of throwing up poop. Learn when to seek medical attention and the treatment options available. Feculent vomiting, also known as throwing up poop or fecal vomiting, is a serious medical condition that requires immediate emergency care.What causes vomiting & diarrhea?Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by infections, stress, or medications. It's important to drink fluids with electrolytes to prevent severe dehydration from diarrhea. Children with symptoms should not be given adult medications without consulting a healthcare provider.Can throwing up poop cause intestinal obstruction?Researchers found that throwing up poop, while not common, was associated with some type of intestinal obstruction, including either of the following: Mechanical intestinal obstruction: A partial or complete blockage of the intestine that’s more common in the small bowel.Why does a woman throw up poop?The woman, who was being cared for in a nursing home, had a severe bowel obstruction and died of septic shock. Throwing up poop is a possible indication that you have some type of bowel obstruction. If this is an issue for you, talk to a medical professional so you can help discover what’s causing this unusual symptom. · Vomiting (throwing up) and diarrhea (watery bowel movements) are common symptoms of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestines. · Bowel obstruction, a blockage in the intestines, is a serious condition where digested food and fluids cannot pass through normally. This blockage can lead to severe abdominal pain, bloating, decreased appetite, and vomiting, often accompanied by an inability to pass gas or stool. Feculent vomiting occurs when a complete intestinal obstruction forces partially digested intestinal contents upward. It's typically caused by blockages from hernias, adhesions, tumors, or severe constipation, and requires immediate medical attention. · Vomiting (throwing up) and diarrhea (watery bowel movements) are common symptoms of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestines. · Many conditions can cause diarrhea and vomiting, including intestinal infections and food poisoning. Less common causes include partial bowel obstruction and pancreatic cancer. According to the...
