Can You Throw Up Poop? Decoding Fecal Vomiting

It’s a scene straight out of a horror movie – someone projectile vomiting a stream of brown sludge. As horrifying as it seems, some claim this “throwing up poop” scenario can really happen. But is it actually possible to puke poop? Or is that just an urban legend best left in nausea nightmares?

Like any curious mind, I had to dig into the details on this one. Could digestive issues ever get so bad that your body resorts to the eject button on your mouth? Are we talking chunky poop bits, or something else?

Let’s just say the answer surprised me. Turns out, while fecal vomiting is possible in rare cases, it’s not quite as disturbingly literal as it sounds. Your intestinal tract has specific sections for a reason.

In this post, we’ll explore what can actually cause someone to vomit stool-like substances. I’ll also breakdown what’s happening inside your plumbing when tummy troubles hit. Be warned: it’ll get a little graphic! But sometimes we need to confront the gross out factors head on to get to the truth.

So if you’re ready to digest the details on upchucking poop, read on. Just make sure you have a barf bag handy!

Fecal Vomiting is Possible, But Extremely Rare

Here’s the deal – it is possible in very rare cases to vomit up fecal matter. But what you’re ejecting isn’t literal, fully-formed poop.

This condition is formally known as feculent vomiting. It’s characterized by vomiting that:

• Contains intestinal contents, not poop from the colon
• Has a foul stool-like odor
• Resembles dark brown, bloody mucus

This happens when a major blockage in the intestines obstructs the normal GI passageway. The block forces vomit to flow up and out the esophagus instead.

While absolutely disgusting, fecal vomiting is thankfully not a common occurrence. When it does happen, it signals a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

Why You Can’t Literally Throw Up Poop

To understand why you can’t vomit actual poop, we first need to recap the path food takes through your digestive tract.

Mouth → Esophagus → Stomach → Small Intestine → Large Intestine → Rectum

See the problem? The esophagus connects your mouth and stomach. So any vomit can only come from your stomach or small intestine.

Actual poop is formed solidly in the colon (large intestine) and stored in the rectum. Unless you have a colostomy bag, there’s no way for solid poop to suddenly bypass several organs and spew from the wrong end.

So while fecal vomiting contains nasty intestinal contents, it’s not the same as vomiting fully-formed turds. Let’s be thankful for small miracles!

What Exactly Causes Fecal Vomiting?

True fecal vomiting stems from an intestinal blockage preventing digested material from progressing normally. Causes include:

• Tumors – such as colon cancer, stomach cancer, etc. The mass creates an impassable narrowing.
• Twisted bowel – Portions of the intestines can twist and knot off (volvulus). This forms an internal blockage.
• Hernia – Part of the intestine can bulge through abdominal muscle, pinching it closed.
• Impaction – Something large like a tumor or bezoar stone becomes lodged in the intestines.
• Paralytic ileus – The intestines “go to sleep” and stop moving, creating a functional blockage.

With any total blockage, vomit has nowhere to go but up and out through the stomach.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of an intestinal issue severe enough to cause fecal vomiting usually don’t show up out of the blue.

Potential signs include:

• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Inability to pass stool or gas
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Unexplained weight loss

The vomit itself may resemble:

• Coffee grounds or grainy brown liquid
• Foul stool-like smell
• Dark maroon color from digested blood

If you experience these red flags, call 911 or get to an ER immediately. An intestinal blockage can rapidly become fatal without surgical intervention.

How Doctors Diagnose and Treat Fecal Vomiting

To identify and treat an intestinal blockage, doctors may order:

• CT scan – Cross-sectional images pinpoint obstructions along the GI tract.
• Endoscopy – A camera on a flexible tube views the source of blockage firsthand.
• Blood tests – Assess patient hydration and electrolyte levels.
• Nasogastric tube – Vacuums clogged material up and out through the nose.
• IV fluids – Rehydrate the body if dehydrated.
• Surgery – Removes tumor, twisted tissue, or foreign blockage to open intestines.
• Enemas – Flush stool out from below an obstruction.

Rapid diagnosis and decompressing the blockage are critical to prevent dangerous complications like sepsis, bowel perforation, or death.

Can You Make Yourself Throw Up Poop?

Let’s clear this up real quick: you should never attempt to intentionally induce fecal vomiting.

Forcing yourself to puke is extremely dangerous as it can lead to:

• Torn esophagus
• Broken blood vessels (Mallory-Weiss tear)
• Aspiration into lungs
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Permanent throat damage

Leave any gastrointestinal issue severe enough to involve fecal vomiting to the emergency medical professionals!

When Fecal Body Odor Can Indicate Stool Vomiting

Passing intestinal contents through vomit can lead to foul, stool-like body odor. This is because:

• Vomit soaks into clothes and emanates a fecal smell
• Nitrogenous waste exits the body from the wrong direction
• Poor hygiene often accompanies major illness

So if someone’s breath and scent resembles feces, it may indicate an underlying intestinal blockage requiring prompt medical help.

The Takeaway

While truly vomiting feces is impossible, in very rare cases, severe blockages can force intestinal contents back up and out through vomiting. Key points:

✅ Fecal vomiting means ejecting intestinal matter, not actual poop.

✅ It’s caused by obstructed bowels, requiring emergency treatment.

❌ You should never force fecal vomiting intentionally.

So rest assured – your body’s plumbing has failsafes to keep the exits separate. But don’t ignore major nausea or vomiting, which could indicate critical intestinal issues. Notify a doctor anytime you suspect something may be dangerously backed up!

Have you ever experienced or witnessed fecal vomiting? Let me know in the comments below!