Bloody Or Tarry Stools Symptoms

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Definition

Bloody stools often are a sign of 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.


Alternative Names

Stools - bloody; Hematochezia; Melena; Stools - black or tarry


Considerations

Blood in the stool may come from anywhere along your digestive tract, from mouth to anus. It may be present in such small amounts that you...

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