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/.
5. Treatment
There are a few ways to restore the health of stools and treat melena. The treatment used depends on the root cause of the condition. Treatment for an ulcer typically requires medication to restore the microbiome of the digestive tract and reduce acid levels in the stomach.3‘Melena - What You Need to Know.’ Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/cg/melena.html.
Alternate treatments may include an endoscopy to seal open tears and surgery to remove tumors. If the bleeding is severe, a blood transfusion may be required during surgery.
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