The blood turns black as it travels through your digestive system before coming out in your poop What is melena (black stool)? Melena often results from damage to the upper gi tract lining, swollen blood vessels, or bleeding disorders The most common cause of melena is peptic ulcer disease, in which painful ulcers or sores develop in the stomach or small intestine. Hematochezia and melena are two terms that describe different ways blood can appear in your stool Hematochezia is bright red blood that generally starts lower in the digestive tract
Melena generally starts much higher up in the digestive tract and results in black, tarry stools. Melena is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of a condition that's causing the bleeding Blood in the stool is never normal, so when melena is present, it is important to see a healthcare provider for an evaluation. Melena is a form of blood in stool which refers to the dark black, tarry feces that are commonly associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding The black color and characteristic strong odor are caused by hemoglobin in the blood being altered by digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria Gastrointestinal (gi) bleeding is usually categorized as either melena or hematochezia
Farlex partner medical dictionary © farlex 2012 Melena is blood in your bowel movements This is caused by bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal (gi) system or large bowel Your bowel movements may be black or tarry, and have a foul odor They may also be shiny or sticky How is the cause of melena diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms. Melena or black stool is a pathological condition in which black feces are secreted due to the presence of blood in the stomach, altered by the action of gastric juice In most cases, the disorder is caused by severe internal bleeding, which requires urgent medical intervention. Melana refers to dark, black, tarry (or sticky) looking stools It differs from hematochezia, which refers to bright red blood seen in the stool, on toilet paper after wiping, or in the toilet bowl.
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