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Melena
Medical condition with dark feces / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Melena is a form of blood in stool which refers to the dark black, tarry feces that are commonly 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]
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Quick Facts Other names, Pronunciation ...
Melena | |
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Other names | Melaena, melæna |
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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]