Q. I'm having melena, but I don't feel any pain. Is it possible that the melena I'm having is caused by upper ig gastric polyps?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Melena is an abnormally dark-colored stool that can be caused by a variety of health conditions. Upper intestinal gastric polyps can be one potential cause of melena; however, it is important to note that many other factors may be responsible for this symptom.

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) polyps are growths in the inner lining of the small intestine which occur when cells start multiplying out of control. These polyps usually don't result in pain or any other symptoms on their own; therefore, if you're experiencing melena but no pain, upper GI gastric polyps could very well be the cause.1

Additional medical tests and assessments are necessary in order to determine the exact cause of your discomfort as there are many possible causes for melena. Other factors such as a bleeding ulcer, esophageal varices (enlarged veins), Mallory–Weiss tear (tear at the lower end of esophagus or stomach due to retching or vomiting) and some types or cancers may also lead to melena without causing any associated pain.2 Therefore, it would be best for you to consult with your doctor about further evaluation so they can determine what is triggering your discomfort and recommend appropriate treatments accordinly.

If upper gastrointestinal gastric polyps do turn out to be causing your melena, treatment options include medications like proton pump inhibitor drugs such as Prilosec/omeprazole and H2 blockers like Zantac/ranitidine which help reduce acid production in the stomach while allowing healing time for developing lesions — both thereby helping reduce symptoms related to these kinds of conditions over time3 Additionally, gastroscopy procedures may also used depending on how severe these kinds of issues become when left untreated4

Overall, it's important that you consult with a healthcare provider if you're having abnormal bowel movements as they will provide more information on possible causes along with safety protocols that need to take place so this issue doesn't worsen over time5 By keeping up with regular check-ups and medical advice provided by experts within this field ,you will likely have better success managing this condition before it becomes more serious later down thr road!