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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. [2]
Dark foods like beets, blueberries, dark licorice, and even a lot of spinach can cause your poop to look black, Dr. Farhadi says. “Dark foods contain certain dyes which can turn the food red or ...
Blood may be observed in vomit or in altered form as black stool. Depending on the amount of the blood loss, symptoms may include shock. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by peptic ulcers, gastric erosions, esophageal varices, and rarer causes such as gastric cancer.
Blood in stool looks different depending on how early it enters the digestive tract—and thus how much digestive action it has been exposed to—and how much there is. The term can refer either to melena, with a black appearance, typically originating from upper gastrointestinal bleeding; or to hematochezia, with a red color, typically originating from lower gastrointestinal bleeding. [6]
A diet high in fiber makes stool softer, while a low-fiber diet can cause hard, dry stools, Dr. Uradomo says. Fiber-rich foods include whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Gallbladder Cancer: It’s uncommon, but it can happen and can affect the color of stool. Gallbladder cancer doesn’t always start with gallstones, although it can; here are 7 other symptoms of ...
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]
[2] [6] Newborns and infants may normally have soft and frequent stools; however, any noticeable changes in stool frequency or form (i.e. watery) can indicate toddler's diarrhea. [7] Other symptoms may include chills, fever, abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, and/or vomiting. [6] Undigested food and/or mucus may also be observed in stools. [8 ...