Melena Stool Definition, Causes and More
Article Sources
- 1. 'Melaena - Causes - Diagnoses - Management.' TeachMeSurgery, 3 Apr. 2020, teachmesurgery.com/general/presentations/melena/.
- 2. Tresca, Amber J. 'What Are the Causes of Black Stool?' Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/causes-of-black-stool-1941711.
- 3. 'Melena - What You Need to Know.' Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/cg/melena.html.
- 4. 'Cirrhosis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Feb. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351487.
- 5. Wilson, I. Dodd. 'Hematemesis, Melena, and Hematochezia.' Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd Edition., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1990, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK411/.
1. What Is a Melena Stool?
Stools caused by bleeding in the upper GI tract are easily identifiable by their tar-like consistency, putrid odor and inability to flush away. A black stool is referred to as melena and occurs when fresh red blood changes to black during the digestive process.1‘Melaena - Causes - Diagnoses - Management.’ TeachMeSurgery, 3 Apr. 2020, teachmesurgery.com/general/presentations/melena/. Fresh red blood in stools is generally caused by hemorrhoids or issues in the lower digestive tract.
The consistency and color of an individual's stool can reveal a lot about their diet and overall health. Black stools may indicate the presence of blood, but can also be from additives in food, food groups and iron supplements.
