Acute Ischemic Colitis

Acute ischemic colitis refers to an inflammation of the colon (a part of the large intestine) due to impairment of the blood flow to the colon. Sudden left side abdominal pain and blood in the bowel movement, appearing in a person after 50 years of age, are characteristic symptoms. The resulting injury of the colonic wall may be mild or severe ( requiring an urgent surgery).

A common term used for ischemic injury of small or large intestine or both is acute mesenteric ischemia (mesenteric arteries are those that supply the bowel).

continue reading Acute Ischemic Colitis – Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment

Melena (Greek melas = black) is a medical term for black tarry stool due to blood in the stool, usually originating from the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach or above).

The term is sometimes publicly (but not medically) used for a black vomit.  

It is important to differ between melena and black bowel movement from reasons, other than bleeding.