Melena
Medical condition with dark feces / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For the promontory of Anatolia, see Melaena Promontorium. For Cuban towns with similar names, see Melena del Sur and Güira de Melena.
For other uses, see Malena (disambiguation), Malina (disambiguation), Meleana (disambiguation), Melina (disambiguation), Milena (disambiguation), Milina, Molena, and Molina (disambiguation).
Melena or melaena refers to the dark black, tarry feces that are 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]
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2011) |
Quick Facts Other names, Pronunciation ...
Melena | |
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Other names | Melaena, melæna |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | General surgery, gastroenterology |
Symptoms | Dark blood in stool |
Causes |
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Iron supplements may cause a grayish-black stool that should be distinguished from melena,[3] as should black coloration caused by a number of medications, such as bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol), or by foods such as beetroot, black liquorice, or blueberries.[4]