Melena is a condition when there is blood on the upper gastrointestinal tract or the right colon. The blood passes through due to its inability to stay in a body for a certain period and therefore it becomes visible and colors the stool in red.

Sometimes the bleeding is fast but in those cases when it is slow it is not so easy to notice and it is called occult. Such cases require certain tests like the ones when the stool is tarry. Anemia is frequently associated with such cases when a lot of iron is lost through the blood.

There are certain conditions that evoke Melena.

• Among them there is gastritis. It is a very frequent condition that happens when the stomach linen becomes inflamed.
• Another reason can be esophageal varices. The condition is a serious one and also severe. The blood leaks from the ruptured veins and then is seen in the stool or can be vomited out.
• Melena can be also a consequence of bleeding ulcers. The latter appear in the result of ‘Helicobacter pylori’ bacteria activity.
• The condition can be triggered by long-term use of NSAIDs.
• A severe condition of Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which is usually accompanied with vomiting, coughing or epileptic convulsions, can lead the condition, too.
• Melena is frequent in new-born babies who have swallowed maternal blood. But this condition is temporary and heals soon.

You will know that you have a condition if your stool is black in color. Also a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) can identify the condition. In some cases other diagnostic tests can be necessary. Some of them are colonoscopy, x-rays, a culture of the stool and gastroscopy.

Nevertheless keep in mind that the condition of a black stool can be evoked by various reasons like foods, drug administration and minerals (i.e. blueberries, black licorice, lead and bismuth). In this case the condition is known as ‘False Melena’. Otherwise if you cannot make a connection of a black stool and the foods you have recently consumed consult a doctor.

Melena is not something to have a real much worry about as soon as you know the reasons. It is absolutely curable. Therefore if you have some disturbing symptoms apply for help and you will be fine.