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/.
8. Risk Factors
Cirrhosis of the liver caused by hepatitis or alcohol abuse can cause esophageal varices, which are one of the causes of melena. Individuals with chronic alcoholism or hepatitis are considered the most at-risk group for melena.4‘Cirrhosis.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Feb. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351487.
The overuse of painkillers and bacterial infections can lead to peptic ulcers, which are another leading cause of melena. Individuals with malignant tumors in the upper digestive region and those with a history of dyspepsia are also at risk.
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