Watermelon stomach is a condition in which the lining of the stomach bleeds, causing it to look like the characteristic stripes of a watermelon when viewed by endoscopy. Although it can develop in men and women of all ages, watermelon stomach is most commonly observed in older women (over age 70 years). Signs and symptoms of watermelon stomach include blood in the stool, hematemesis (vomiting blood) and anemia.

The exact cause of watermelon stomach is unknown; however, it is often diagnosed in people with other chronic (long-term) conditions such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver and poor liver function), autoimmune disease, systemic sclerosis, and CREST syndrome. Treatment consists of surgery and/or medications to stop or control the bleeding.

Watermelon stomach is characterized primarily by gastrointestinal bleeding, which may result in the following signs and symptoms:

• Anemia
• Hematemesis (vomiting blood)
• Blood in the stools

Watermelon stomach has been associated with other conditions, including several autoimmune diseases, atrophic gastritis, cirrhosis, scleroderma, pernicious anemia and CREST syndrome. It can also occur in patients with portal hypertension, vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and chronic renal failure.