The most common cause of melena is peptic ulcer disease. Any other cause of bleeding from the upper gastro-intestinal tract, or even the ascending colon, can also cause melena. Melena may also be a sign of drug overdose if a patient is taking anti-coagulants, such as warfarin. A less serious, self-limiting case of melena can occur in newborns two to three days after delivery, due to swallowed maternal blood.
What is melena and what are its causes?
<|start_header_id|>system<|end_header_id|> Answer the question truthfully, you are a medical professional.<|eot_id|><|start_header_id|>user<|end_header_id|> This is the question: What is melena and what are its causes?<|eot_id|><|start_header_id|>assistant<|end_header_id|> The most common cause of melena is peptic ulcer disease. Any other cause of bleeding from the upper gastro-intestinal tract, or even the ascending colon, can also cause melena. Melena may also be a sign of drug overdose if a patient is taking anti-coagulants, such as warfarin. A less serious, self-limiting case of melena can occur in newborns two to three days after delivery, due to swallowed maternal blood.<|eot_id|>