Melaena (Melaena)

Melena (Latin: Melaena) is a medical term used to describe a condition in which dark spots appear on the surface of the lining of the stomach or intestines, which may be visible on an x-ray. This condition can be caused by various reasons such as bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract, infectious diseases, tumors and other diseases.

Melena is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention. If you notice you have melena, you should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may do additional tests, such as blood tests and ultrasounds, to determine the cause of melena.

Depending on the cause of melena, treatment may include surgery, medications, or lifestyle changes. It is important to remember that melena can be a sign of serious illness, so do not delay seeing a doctor.

Melena: Signs, causes and associated diseases

Melena is a term used to describe dark, tarry stool that gets its characteristic color from partially digested blood from the upper digestive tract. This phenomenon becomes noticeable only when more than 500 ml of blood enters the intestines. Melena often occurs after bloody vomiting (hematemesis) due to the same causes, but it can also be associated with the presence of diseases of the small intestine or upper colon in a person, such as carcinoma or angiodysplasia.

One of the main causes of melena is bleeding from the digestive system. Blood passing through the stomach and intestines undergoes a process of partial digestion, during which it turns the stool dark black. The appearance of melena may indicate serious illnesses that require medical intervention.

One of the most common causes of melena is a peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum. Ulcers that form on the lining of these organs can lead to bleeding, which manifests itself as melena. Other possible causes are inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, and tumors of the digestive system, including cancer.

It is important to note that the appearance of melena requires immediate medical attention. This may indicate a serious condition of the patient and require further examination and treatment. Diagnosis of melena includes clinical examination, blood tests, endoscopic examinations and other methods aimed at identifying the source of bleeding.

In addition to causes related to pathology of the digestive system, melena can also be associated with diseases of the small intestine or upper colon. For example, carcinoma, which is a malignant tumor of the small intestine, or angiodysplasia, characterized by abnormal blood vessel structure, can cause bleeding and, as a result, melena.

However, it should be noted that melena is not a specific symptom for a particular disease. It can be the result of various pathological conditions. Therefore, it is important to carry out all the necessary studies to determine the specific source of bleeding and establish an accurate diagnosis.

In conclusion, melena is dark, tarry stool containing partially digested blood from the upper digestive tract. It can be the result of bleeding from peptic ulcers, tumors of the digestive system, inflammatory bowel disease or diseases of the small intestine. The appearance of melena requires contacting a doctor for further examination and treatment. Only an accurate determination of the cause of bleeding will allow prescribing appropriate therapy and ensuring a favorable outcome for the patient.

Melena is not just some concept, it is a medical term that characterizes a certain condition. Here's what melena is, what causes it, and how to deal with it:

Melena is a phenomenon characterized by the fact that the stool becomes black in color, which occurs due to the presence of blood residues in the body. Just 50 years ago, this type of bleeding was exclusively a medical term. Now, fortunately, this type of bleeding is considered rare, as more opportunities for medical care have become available. However, in some places medical care is still limited to a limited number of people.

The cause of melena is bleeding of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, which forms the so-called “melena” (black mass of stool). This type of bleeding is considered dangerous because it can lead not only to vitamin B12 deficiency, but also to serious complications.

People can suffer from melena for a variety of reasons, so there are several types. The most common is a breakthrough ulcer, which occurs as a result of acid leaving the stomach. In this case, vomiting often occurs and the stomach hurts severely.

In addition, melena can occur due to bleeding of the colon, small intestine, bleeding of the lungs and even the heart, as well as the esophagus and other organs. There is usually a risk of heavy bleeding, i.e. the volume of blood lost reaches 700 milliliters or more. Hemorrhage, uterine bleeding and other pathological conditions may also occur.

A complete and rapid examination plays an important role in the diagnosis of melena. Great importance is attached to a detailed examination of the patient. In addition, we should not forget about an integrated approach, laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods and early provision of medical care to the patient. It is extremely important to provide the patient with artificial ventilation, perform a blood transfusion, perform a surgical operation, and, if necessary, select medications to take.