What are melanotic stools?

The term melanotic stool is sometimes used to indicate black, tar stool or blood in the stools. In addition, melanotic stools may indicate a disorder or injury to the symptoms of the digestive symptom. Although black, tar stool often points to the presence of blood in the stool, a condition called hematochezia also refers to chestnut or red. In general, blood in the stool can come from anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the rectum. Technically, the right term is meline stools, rather than melanotic, but these two terms are often confused.

Generally melanotic stools suggest that blood comes from the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. This part of the gastrointestinal system includes the esophagus, the beginning of the small intestine and the stomach. When the stools accept tar look, it means that they were exposed to digestive juices. Sometimes ulcers in the stomach caused by certain drugs can cause bleeding of the upper gastra ovintestinal tract.

usually bright red stools indicate that KreIn the lower gastrointestinal tract, which includes an anus, large intestine and rectum. Some conditions, such as diverticulosis and hemorrhoids, can cause sincere blood in the stool. In the opposite way, abnormal blood vessels and tumor formation can cause lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Sometimes fast or massive stomach bleeding can cause bright red stools. Some medicines, such as Pepto-Bismol® and iron supplements, can cause melanotic stools that are usually transient and harmless.

Sometimes certain meals can cause melanotic stools. These foods include black liquorice and blueberries or blackberries. Tomatoes and beets can mimic the appearance of blood in the stool, and in such cases the doctor can test the stool to eliminate Melen. Other causes of melanotic stools are gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining and bowel ischemia. Bowel ischemia usually causes a roofVA lacks sufficient blood flow, causing bleeding. Rarely a foreign body or trauma into a gastrointestinal tract can produce menic stools.

The treatment of melanotic stools depends on the cause. Determination of a blood source in stool requires complete physical examination and possibly blood tests that include complete blood count. Melena can cause anemia that can be indicated by a reduction in red blood cells. Other diagnostic tests may include the upper and lower GI series, ultrasonography and stool testing. Although blood in the stool may indicate a harmless state, other, more ominous conditions should be excluded than it is possible to effectively make a diagnosis.