Question 1

my mother is 71 years old and suffered melena yesterday. treatment?

Accepted Answer

She needs to be: seen promptly by a Gastroenterologist to determine the origin of the melena. Melena is dark black stool caused by a gi bleed interacting with acid from the stomach. As such the source of the bleed is usually the stomach or duodenum. Once the source is found then an appropriate treatment regimen can be instituted

Question 2

what's the best treatment to get rid of black stools?

Accepted Answer

Determine cause: Black stools could be due to iron supplements, bismuth antidiarrheal agent (e.g. Pepto bismol), or bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract or sometimes right side of the colon. Bleeding can cause black, sticky, smelly bowel movements.  If not taking iron or busmuth, or it continues after stopping, it really is necessary to get seen and be sure there is not a serious but treatable cause..

Question 3

i am post divaticular bleed that resulted in treatment to include 2 units of blood. 3 days post tx hemo incr from 7-9 but still have black stool x 1wk?

Accepted Answer

Black stool: Bleeding from diverticulosis of the descending colon causes red blood in the stool. Black stools are generally caused by bleeding from the upper gi tract such as occurs in inflammation of the stomach(gastritis) or peptic ulceration of the stomach or duodenum. Black stools also occur when taking iron supplement or peptobismol. A stool test can tell if you're still bleeding. See a gastroenterologist

Question 4

how melena can be cure?

Accepted Answer

First need: To confirm this is true melena, then a full GI workup will identify the source and allow a treatment plan to be offered to "cure" the melena. See a GI doctor for your work up.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: melena?

Accepted Answer

Blood in stool: Melina is blood in the stool that is black, tarry, sticky, and smelly.  The blood in melena comes from high up in the gastrointestinal tract, and gets partially digested which is why it changes to melena. Bright red blood comes from lower in the GI tract.

Question 6

what happens if i do got melena and don't do anything does it heal on its own?

Accepted Answer

This is serious, Ray: If you're having black, tarry stools, get to the emergency room NOW.  If your stools are merely a little bit black and a little bit loose, get with your personal physician soon -- it's likely to be a bleeding ulcer. If your stools are merely black but well-formed, perhaps you've taken an iron pill or a bismuth tablet. How do you FEEL? Thanks for asking and hope this gets solved.

Question 7

what is melena, and how do you prevent it?

Accepted Answer

A serious finding: Melena is blood that originates in the stomach or first part of your intestine and changes to a black, tar-like substance as it is passed as stool. It means you are bleeding and should seek the care of a doctor immediately. One prevents it by preventing the causes of bleeding in the stomach, namely ulcers or gastritis.

Question 8

why antibiotic is indicated in melena?

Accepted Answer

See below: Melena is a descriptive term to describe black/tarry stools.  Treatment for melena is dependent on the cause.  Not sure why antibiotics were prescribed, but if you have questions, then asking them of the prescribing physician is appropriate.

Question 9

how to tell if i have melena?

Accepted Answer

Define melena: Melena, by definition, is passage of dark stools stained with denatured blood.  As we established in prior healthtap answers, all dark stool is not melena. Your doctor, or even an over-the-counter test that you can purchase, can check to see if your dark stool contains blood.  Needed is for you to provide a sample of the dark stool. False positive results can occur based on diet & stool additives.

Question 10

what are the symptoms of melena?

Accepted Answer

Melena : Is a symptom or sign of GI bleeding usually from the upper intestinal area, usually the stomach. It is not normal and needs prompt evaluation by a gastroenterologist.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

What is the best treatment for Melena

A member asked:

My mother is 71 years old and suffered melena yesterday. treatment?

A member asked:

What's the best treatment to get rid of black stools?

A member asked:

I am post divaticular bleed that resulted in treatment to include 2 units of blood. 3 days post tx hemo incr from 7-9 but still have black stool x 1wk?

A member asked:

How melena can be cure?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: melena?

A member asked:

What happens if i do got melena and don't do anything does it heal on its own?

A member asked:

What is melena, and how do you prevent it?

A member asked:

Why antibiotic is indicated in melena?

A member asked:

How to tell if i have melena?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of melena?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?