Melena

Melena is a black, gummy, tarry stool containing an admixture of digested blood. The cause of melena is bleeding into the upper part of the alimentary canal (from the oral cavity to the oral part of the small intestine). This is a serious symptom that should lead to clarifying the source of bleeding (endoscopy) and stopping it. Bleeding into the upper part of the alimentary canal can be caused by, for example, tumor in this area, esophageal varices, gastroduodenal ulcer. The consumption of blueberries, blackberry or some medicines can also lead to a similar coloration of the stool.

Links

Related Articles

• Bleeding from the alimentary canal
• Blood in newborn's stool
• Bleeding from esophageal varices

References

• BALIAN, Axel. Hépato-gastro-enterologie. 7th edition. VERNAZOBRES-GREGO, 2010. 627 pp. ISBN 978-2-81830-041-1.