10 H Pylori Symptoms
Reviewed: Dr. Mera
Symptom #6: Melena
Melena refers to dark, black, and tarry stool that is associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The dark stool also has a characteristic and strong odor from the hemoglobin in the blood, which has been altered by intestinal bacteria and digestive enzymes. Iron supplements can also cause a grayish-black stool that should be distinguished from melena.
The most common cause of melena is peptic ulcer disease, but excessive use of anticoagulant medications, malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, and hemorrhagic blood diseases also can cause melena.
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