The blood turns black as it travels through your digestive system before coming out in your poop. Melena refers to black, tarry, 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. Hematochezia and melena are two terms that describe different ways blood can appear in your stool Hematochezia is bright red blood that generally starts lower in the digestive tract Melena generally starts much higher up in the digestive tract and results in black, tarry stools.
See a healthcare provider when melena is present, as blood in the stool is never normal. Possible causes, signs and symptoms, standard treatment options and means of care and support. Symptoms of melena and black stool causes Here's when you should worry a sudden change to black, tar‑like stool, known as melena, may signal bleeding somewhere in the upper digestive tract. Learn about common causes such as ulcers, gastritis, esophageal varices, stomach cancer, and medications, plus symptoms, risks, and when medical care is needed Your poop may be black, medically known as melena, due to certain foods, medications, or iron supplements
Learn everything about melena—causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment Melaena refers to a black tarry stool, which occurs as a result of upper gastrointestinal bleeding
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