Melena: What Is It, Why It Happens and How to Deal with It?

Melena is a condition that refers to the presence of dark, tarry stools that contain digested blood. The word melena is derived from the Greek word 'melas,' which denotes “darkness.” As the blood travels over the digestive system, hemoglobin in the blood breaks down, giving the feces their black color. Melena is frequently a sign of bleeding in the stomach or small intestine, as well as other parts of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding can occur for many of reasons, including ulcers, tumors, inflammation, and blood vessel abnormalities. The degree of bleeding might be mild or life-threatening, If the bleeding is severe or goes on for an extended period of time, it can lead to anemia, hypovolemia (when your body doesn't have enough blood or blood volume), and shock (life-threatening). Let’s learn about the conditions in which blood in your stool might appear and how to manage it.

Melena: What Is It, Why It Happens and How to Deal with It?

 

Melena is a condition that refers to the presence of dark, tarry stools that contain digested blood. The word melena is derived from the Greek word 'melas,' which denotes “darkness.” As the blood travels over the digestive system, hemoglobin in the blood breaks down, giving the feces their black color.

Melena is frequently a sign of bleeding in the stomach or small intestine, as well as other parts of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding can occur for many of reasons, including ulcers, tumors, inflammation, and blood vessel abnormalities. The degree of bleeding might be mild or life-threatening, If the bleeding is severe or goes on for an extended period of time, it can lead to anemia, hypovolemia (when your body doesn't have enough blood or blood volume), and shock (life-threatening). Let’s learn about the conditions in which blood in your stool might appear and how to manage it.

 

 What Causes Melena?

 

The presence of digested blood in the digestive tract causes melena. Some common causes of melena include the following:

 

• Bleeding involving the upper gastrointestinal system like in the small intestine or stomach.
• Esophageal varices that are swollen veins in the esophagus that have the potential to burst and leak blood.
• Severe inflammation as in gastritis or esophagitis.
• Throwing up or retching can cause Mallory-Weiss tears, which are tears in the lining of the esophagus.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin.
• Cancerous or noncancerous tumors in the upper digestive tract.

Causes of black stool other than melena:

There are a few foods, supplements, and medications that might cause black stools, such as:

 

• Supplements containing iron
• Subsalicylate of bismuth (Pepto Bismol)
• Activated charcoal
• Blood sausage or a lot of dark foods (like blueberries or black licorice).

 

 

 

 

Symptoms of Melena?

The onset of dark, tarry stools that may smell strongly is a hallmark of melena. Additional melena symptoms include:

 

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue or weariness
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Fast heart rate
• Pale skin and anemia

Treatment of Melena

Treatment of melena is determined by the cause of bleeding. The objectives will generally be as follows:

• Halt the bleeding.
• Manage blood loss (particularly if significant blood loss has occurred).
• Address the underlying cause of the bleeding.

 

The treatment would involve:

 

• If there is substantial blood loss, intravenous fluids and a blood transfusion may be required.
• An upper endoscopy may be required to both identify and treat any tears or ulcers in the upper digestive tract that are causing the bleeding.
• For the treatment of peptic ulcers related to H. pylori-related ulcers in the duodenum or stomach, antibiotics and medications that lower stomach acid are prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Treatments for less frequent causes of bleeding could involve surgery and drugs to control inflammation and ulcers.
• Iron supplements can be given to treat iron deficiency anemia, a condition that affects patients with melena to improve the body's ability to produce red blood cells.

 

 

Prevention of melena:

• Avoid triggers such as alcohol, some foods (caffeine, spicy or fatty foods), and drugs (like aspirin and ibuprofen) can provoke or worsen melena.
• Consume a balanced diet low in fat and high in fiber.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Control stress and anxiety.
• Take prescription drugs as directed by your healthcare provider.
• Undergo routine examinations and screenings to identify any underlying medical conditions early.

 

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

You should seek immediate help from your healthcare provider in the following situations:

 

• You have severe pain in your abdomen.
• Feel lightheaded or faint, or breathing more quickly than normal.
• Severe chest pain and shortness of breath.
• Blood in the vomit.

Hence, the dark blood that induces melena originates from inside your body. Internal bleeding needs attention and care from a trained healthcare provider. A good prognosis depends on early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Most people with melena can recover and resume their regular activities with timely medical attention and adequate treatment. That being said, the illness may become life-threatening or result in more serious complications if left untreated or if detection is delayed.

Also, you can consult at Ask a Doctor, 24X7 to diagnose and treat melena and related symptoms.