Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is melena (black stool)?
- How common is this disease?
- Signs and symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of melena (black stool)?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes melena (black stool)?
- Risk Factors
- What are the risks that increase my exposure to melena (black stool)?
- Treatment
- What are the treatments for melena (black stool)?
- How do doctors diagnose this condition?
- 1. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- 2. Blood, stool, or breath tests
- 3. Endoscopy
- 4. X-rays
- 5. Angiogram
- Home remedies
- What treatments and prevention can be done to treat melena (black stool)?
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Definition
What is melena (black stool)?
Melena is a condition of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract or in the large intestine which causes the color of the stool to turn black. Your stool will likely also have a sticky texture, are shiny dry, and give off a foul odor.
How common is this disease?
Melena is a common condition and can occur at any age. However, most of these diseases occur in adulthood. This disease can be prevented by lowering your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of melena (black stool)?
Melena is a condition caused by bleeding in the colon. First of all, the symptoms of melena are the presence of blood in vomit or in the stool.
People who experience this condition may also experience symptoms of lack of blood, such as:
- Fatigue
- Body feels weak
- Pale face
- Hard to breathe
When should I see a doctor?
You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea or bloody stools
- Stomach ache
- Fever
If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.
Cause
What causes melena (black stool)?
Melena is a condition caused by severe bleeding in your upper digestive tract. Bleeding can be caused by:
- There is a stomach ulcer
- Varicose veins in the stomach or esophagus
- Inflammation of the digestive system
- Stomach cancer
- Mallory-Weiss syndrome
- Some newborns develop melena from ingesting blood during labor.
Risk Factors
What are the risks that increase my exposure to melena (black stool)?
There are several risk factors that make you susceptible to this disease. Here are conditions that make you more at risk of developing melena:
- Diverticular disease (diverticulitis)
- Cancer of the digestive tract
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Irritable Bowel Disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis),
- Severe contagious diarrhea
- Angiodysplasia
- Polyps
- Hemorrhoids
Treatment
What are the treatments for melena (black stool)?
Treatment of melena depends on what caused your black stool. Here are some of the treatments that will be given by the doctor:
Drugs
The doctor will prescribe medicines to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. These medicines can help if your melena is caused by an ulcer. You may also need medication to prevent blood flow to the cut or tear in the intestine.
Later your doctor can also make changes to the prescription of other drugs that you are using if these other drugs can worsen your melena condition. Examples of prescription drugs that may be changed are NSAIDs and blood-thinning drugs.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy can be used to treat the cause of your bleeding. The doctor can use endoscopic heat to hold the tissue in the digestive tract that has been torn together. In this condition, blood transfusions may also be needed if you have lost a lot of blood.
Operation
Your doctor will perform a surgical operation if you have heavy bleeding and treatments such as drugs or endoscopy have not worked. Surgery can be used to repair tears in the lining of your stomach or intestines.
You may also need surgical surgery to remove any obstruction or tumor causing bleeding in the digestive tract.
How do doctors diagnose this condition?
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, doctors will initially use several tests to diagnose melena. In addition, the diagnosis can also determine the underlying cause.
In rare cases, the doctor will have to perform surgery to view the entire small intestine. The following are tests that may be done to diagnose melena:
1. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
This is a method in which a small tube equipped with a camera and light is inserted into your mouth and slowly down your esophagus. This will help your doctor check for signs of bleeding that are higher up in your digestive tract.
2. Blood, stool, or breath tests
Your doctor will usually order stool, blood, or breath tests by taking a stool, blood sample, or schedule a breathing test to check for signs of infection, including those caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
Blood tests can be used to check the oxygen and iron levels in your blood. This test can later show how well your blood is clotting.
3. Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a procedure used to examine your upper digestive system. The endoscope can also take tissue samples to test.
4. X-rays
The X-ray method can show where the source of bleeding is in your digestion. X-ray images may show a tear, obstruction, or tumor causing melena symptoms.
5. Angiogram
An angiogram is a method used to find and stop bleeding from an artery. A contrast fluid or medication will be injected into your artery and a sample of your blood will be drawn. Tell your doctor or lab technician if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast fluid.
Home remedies
What treatments and prevention can be done to treat melena (black stool)?
Here are steps you can take to prevent melena:
- Do not take NSAIDs or aspirin. These medicines can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Talk to your doctor about other pain medications that are safe for you to take
- Don't smoke, because nicotine can damage blood vessels. Ask for help, doctors, nurses or therapists who can help you from smoking addiction. E-cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are the same as cigarettes because they still contain nicotine.
- Don't drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages. Alcohol and caffeine can irritate your stomach lining. The lining of your stomach or intestines can also be damaged. Talk to your health care provider if you need help quitting alcohol
- Make sure you eat healthy and nutritious food. You can include fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, and nuts like lentils. Healthy food can help you heal and increase your energy levels.
- When experiencing digestive problems, doctors will usually recommend that you drink special drinks that can speed up the healing period. Follow your doctor's recommendations and prescriptions regarding how much fluids you should take on a daily basis.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
