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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.
The strongest predictors of an upper gastrointestinal bleed are black stool, age <50 years, and blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio 30 or more. [ 8 ] [ 9 ] The diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is assumed when hematemesis (vomiting of blood) is observed.
It is also one of the medications that can cause toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens–Johnson syndrome. [8] The pediatric version of cefdinir can bind to iron in the digestive tract; in rare cases, this causes rust or red discoloration of the stool. Blood typically appears dark brown or black in stool, and testing may confirm which is present.
When black poop happens, family practitioners like Christine Traxler, MD, and pediatricians like Alison Mitzner, MD, are often the first ones their patients call. Just because your stool happens ...
So, when people who have their gallbladder removed, they may have loose green appearing stools, says Dr. LeBrett. “This is because excess bile can be secreted into digested food contents, which ...
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Digested blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract may appear black rather than red, resulting in "coffee ground" vomit or melena. [2] Other signs and symptoms include feeling tired, dizziness, and pale skin color. [18] A number of foods and medications can turn the stool either red or black in the absence of bleeding. [2]
Some people also find it helpful to put an ice pack on the area, which can have a numbing effect. Try an over-the-counter medication If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.