The blood turns black as it travels through your digestive system before coming out in your poop. 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 refers to black, tarry, sticky stools and usually results from upper gastrointestinal bleeding The source of bleeding can come from damage to the lining of the gi tract, breakage of swollen blood vessels, or other conditions that prolong bleeding such as hemophilia.
See a healthcare provider when melena is present, as blood in the stool is never normal. Melena is a form of blood in stool which refers to the dark black, tarry feces that are commonly associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding [1] the black color and characteristic strong odor are caused by hemoglobin in the blood being altered by digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria. Symptoms of gi bleeding can be easy to see, called overt, or not so obvious, known as occult Symptoms depend on the rate of bleeding as well as the location of the bleed, which can be anywhere on the gi tract, from where it starts — the mouth — to where it ends — the anus Overt bleeding might show up as:
Learn about common causes such as ulcers, gastritis, esophageal varices, stomach cancer, and medications, plus symptoms, risks, and when medical care is needed Melena is the passage of black, tarry stools Hematochezia is the passage of fresh blood per anus, usually in or with stools Hematemesis, melena, and hematochezia are symptoms of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Melena can be a sign of a serious medical condition and requires prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of melena to help you understand this potentially alarming symptom.
Black or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or first part of the small intestine The term melena is used to describe this finding. Melena is more likely when bleeding comes from the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine The black color of melena is caused by blood that has been exposed for several hours to stomach acid and enzymes and to bacteria that normally reside in the large intestine.
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