Mallory-Weiss Tear
The Mallory-Weiss tear refers to tears found within the mucous membrane joining the stomach and the esophagus. When the tear begins to bleed, it results in melena. It’s a relatively rare condition, occurring in only seven of a hundred thousand Americans, and caused primarily by vomiting, epileptic convulsions, or coughing. Moreover, only five percent of all people afflicted with the Mallory-Weiss tear fail to survive. Similar to many conditions that may cause melena, the symptoms of a Mallory-Weiss tear aren’t obvious.
Apart from darkened, tarry stool, people with the condition might experience tarry blood vomiting, lightheadedness, dyspnea, diarrhea, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Endoscopic therapy is usually the first course of action for treating Mallory-Weiss’s tears. However, surgical procedures and arteriography may stop the bleeding if it’s not enough. Some medications can reduce the production of stomach acids, like famotidine or Pepcid and lansoprazole or Prevacid. But it’s worth noting that their efficacy is still being debated.
