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Jun 8, 2023 · “Melena” is the medical term for the black, tarry stool that comes from bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Black stool is a sign of older blood in your stool . The blood turns black and tarry while traveling through your GI tract from higher up, where it started — usually in your stomach or upper small intestine.
- Iron Supplements. Black poop can be a side effect of iron pills you take for anemia -- a condition that happens when you don't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around your body.
- Dark-Colored Foods. Sometimes dark-colored foods turn your poop black. These include: Black licorice. Chocolate sandwich cookies. Blueberries. Grape juice. Beets.
- Medicines With Bismuth. Drugs for upset stomach like bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) contain bismuth to calm your belly. Bismuth can turn your tongue and poop black.
- Bleeding Ulcer. A bleeding ulcer is the most common concerning cause of dark stools. An ulcer is an open sore on the inside of your stomach or small intestine.
Nov 24, 2020 · Melena refers to black, tar-like, sticky stools and usually results from upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The source of bleeding can come from damage to the lining of the GI tract, breakage of swollen blood vessels, or other conditions that prolong bleeding such as hemophilia. Symptoms typically depend on the amount of blood lost and the source ...
Oct 13, 2023 · Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a sign of a disorder in the digestive tract. The blood often shows up in stool or vomit but isn't always obvious. Stool may look black or tarry. Bleeding can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening. Imaging technology or an endoscopic investigation can usually locate the cause of the bleeding.
Apr 1, 2024 · Stool has a wide range of normal colors, but medium brown is typical. Melena causes stool to be much darker, appearing black or nearly black. Melenic stool is also different in texture from normal stools. It is often described as tarry, meaning it is sticky and dense. The third part of melena is the smell.
Jan 24, 2024 · People should seek immediate medical treatment if the stool is bright red, black, or a tarry substance. These symptoms suggest blood loss, which could become a medical emergency if left untreated ...
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Oct 8, 2021 · Black stools caused by these kinds of upper GI issues are sometimes referred to as melena. A few of these conditions include: gastritis. esophagitis. Mallory-Weiss syndrome. esophageal or stomach ...
