You might not know this, but stools can get darker in color, as dark as coffee grounds. A situation like this could mean that a person could have an underlying disease. Having a dark stool is a condition known as melena. Melena refers to the presence of dark, tarry stools, which often show that there is bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This condition is the passage of black, foul-smelling stool due to digestion of blood, such as the stomach or the duodenum.
Most people notice that their stools are getting darker, but they’re quick to ignore the possibilities. However, this can be a potential sign of internal bleeding, and you should get that checked out immediately. In this article, we are going to talk about the symptoms and causes associated with melena.
Photo by julien Tromeur
Symptoms of Melena
- Dark and tarry stool
- Foul-smelling stool
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shock (in severe cases)
Causes of Melena
One of the causes of melena is bleeding in the upper digestive tract. However the causes can be separated into two sections.
Bleeding From The Upper Digestive System
Peptic ulcer: A peptic ulcer is a type of ulcer that forms open sores in the stomach lining or the upper part of the intestine. This is due to the stomachs acidic environment which damages the tissue. Once the ulcer in the intestine or stomach lining starts bleeding, it causes blood to be digested which leads to melena.
Gastritis: This is when the stomach lining becomes inflamed, usually as a result of drinking too much alcohol or using too much painkillers. In some cases, infections like H. pylori can irritate the stomach lining, causing it to bleed and lead to black stools.
Esophageal varices: These are enlarged veins found in the esophagus, usually as a result of liver diseases such as cirrhosis. If this vein bursts, it can cause severe bleeding, leading to melena.
Mallory-Weiss Syndrome: Mallory-Weiss Syndrome occurs when there are small tears in the esophagus due to forceful vomiting or excessive coughing. These tears often bleed and excessive bleeding can lead to black stools.
Aneurysms: An aneurysm is a weak bulging area in the blood vessel that can get ruptured. In a case where the aneurysm ruptures, it can cause internal bleeding in the digestive system leading to melena.
Tumors: Tumors can be found in different parts of the body and the stomach or intestine are not an exception. This tumor could be cancerous or non-cancerous and can cause internal bleeding.
Other Causes
Another cause of melena is blood disorders. Some people have blood clotting disorders like hemophilia. These types of people are at the higher risk of developing bleeding easily, especially internal bleeding, which in turn can lead to melena.
Also, taking drugs like aspirin or blood thinners can increase bleeding, especially in people who are prone to ulcers or stomach irritation. Lastly, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can irritate or inflame the digestive tract, leading to bleeding anywhere in the digestive system.
Conclusion
At this point, you’re probably wondering when is the best time to see the doctor. I mean, you can’t always run to the doctor any time you notice a change of color in your stool, so when is the right time? You have to be on the lookout for when you have recurring black stools or a foul-smelling stool.
First of all, you need to ask yourself some questions like, have you been taking medications such as aspirins or ibuprofen? Or maybe you are taking some iron supplements. These things can sometimes darken your stool. Like I said, if the black stool is recurring or let’s say you begin to feel lightheaded or weak, or you notice a bit of stomach pain, then you should definitely go see a doctor.
