Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
Alternative names Return to top
Stools - bloody; Hematochezia; Melena; Stools - black or tarryDefinition Return to top
Bloody stools often indicate an injury or disorder in the digestive tract. Your doctor may use the term "melena" to describe black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools or "hematochezia" to describe red or maroon-colored stools.
Considerations Return to top
Blood in the stool can originate from anywhere along your digestive tract, from mouth to anus. It may be present in such small amounts that you cannot actually see it, but is only detectable by a fecal occult blood test. When there IS enough blood to change the appearance of your stools, the doctor will typically want to know the exact color to try to estimate the site of bleeding. To make a definite diagnosis, however, endoscopy or special x-ray studies are needed.
A black stool usually means that the blood is coming from the upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach, or first part of the small intestine. Blood will typically appear like tar after it has been exposed to the body's digestive juices. Stomach ulcers caused by ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin are common causes of upper GI bleeding.
Maroon-colored stools or bright red blood usually suggest that the blood is coming from the lower part of the GI tract (large bowel or rectum). Hemorrhoids and diverticulitis (inflammation of an abnormal pouch in the colon called a diverticulum) are the most common causes of lower GI bleeding. However, sometimes massive or rapid bleeding in the stomach causes bright red stools.
Consuming black licorice, lead, iron pills, bismuth medicines like Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can also cause black stools. Beets and tomatoes can sometimes make stools appear reddish. In these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood.
Brisk bleeding in the esophagus or stomach (such as peptic ulcer disease), can also cause you to vomit blood.
Common Causes Return to top
Upper GI tract (usually black stools):
Lower GI tract (usually maroon or bright red, bloody stools):
Call your health care provider if Return to top
Call your doctor if you notice blood or changes in the color of your stool. Even if you think that hemorrhoids are causing blood in your stool, your doctor should examine you in order to make sure that there is no other, more serious cause present at the same time.
In children, a small amount of blood in the stool is usually not serious. The most common causes are constipation and milk allergies. But it is still worth reporting to your doctor, even if no workup is necessary.
What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top
Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, focusing on your abdomen and rectum.
The following questions may be included in the history to better understand the possible causes of your bloody or dark stools:
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the bleeding. For serious bleeding, you may need to be admitted to a hospital for monitoring and workup. If there is massive bleeding, you will need to be monitored in an intensive care unit. Emergency treatment may include a blood transfusion.
The following diagnostic tests may be performed:
Prevention Return to top
The earlier you detect colon cancer, the more likely that treatment will be successful. The American Cancer Society recommends one or more of the following screening tests after age 50 for early detection of colon cancer and pre-cancer:
Screening tests should be started earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps. Tests should also be performed more often if you have had polyps, colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Update Date: 11/13/2003 Updated by: Steven Angelo, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |