Melena
• Melena is the symptom of an abnormally dark bowel movement (stool).
• Melena may also be associated with a tarry texture can a be sign of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Bacteria in the intestine change blood (hemoglobin) in blood to a dark pigment.
• Melena may or may not be associated with abdominal discomfort.
• Melena may be caused by:
· bleeding stomach inflammation (gastritis) of stomach ulcer
· swallowing blood from bleeding nose
· bleeding veins in the esophagus
· inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis)
· Hiatal hernia
· stomach or colon cancer
· inflammation of the colon (colitis)
• Melena should always be evaluated by your doctor.
Posted on January 2, 2009
