Symptoms Of Mallory-Weiss Syndrome

Mallory-Weiss syndrome describes a laceration or tear of the mucous membrane. It most commonly occurs in the gastroesophageal junction, which is where the stomach and esophagus connect. A prolonged bout of severe vomiting is the most common cause of Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which, in turn, can cause severe bleeding. Mallory-Weiss syndrome occurs in one to fifteen percent of bleeding episodes in the gastrointestinal tract. It is most common in men between forty and sixty years old. Mallory-Weiss syndrome can sometimes occur as a complication of chemotherapy, as well as by food poisoning and other conditions that cause severe retching and vomiting.