What does black stool indicate?
Black or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the stomach, small intestine, or right side of the colon. The term melena is used to describe this finding.
Is black stool ever normal?
Black stool may be normal in some cases and caused by ingesting certain substances or medications, such as iron supplements. However, black stool can also be caused by a serious condition, such as bleeding in the digestive tract caused by a peptic ulcer.
Should I worry if my stool is black?
Black stools can indicate bleeding or other injuries in your gastrointestinal tract. You may also have dark, discolored bowel movements after eating dark-colored foods. Tell your doctor any time you have bloody or black-colored stool to rule out serious medical conditions.
What does Black poop mean in elderly?
Black stool suggests bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Maroon-colored or bloody stool suggests bleeding lower in the GI tract. See your doctor if you experience bloody or tarry stool. They can check for the presence of ulcers, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and other GI conditions.
When should you worry about black stool?
What causes stool to be black in color?
Black stool is a condition in which the feces are very dark or black in color. Black stool may be normal in some cases and caused by ingesting certain substances or medications, such as iron supplements. However, black stool can also be caused by a serious condition, such as bleeding in the digestive tract caused by a peptic ulcer.
What does black stool mean in upper GI tract?
If you have bleeding in the upper GI tract — the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum — you could have black, tarry stools that are called melena. It could be a sign of esophageal and gastric cancers.
When to seek medical attention for black stool?
A black stool once in a while that always occurs after eating foods that are dark in color is typically nothing to worry about. If the black color is accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or acute pain, seek medical attention immediately. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues?
Is it normal to have black blood in your stool?
Black blood in the stool usually also has a bad odor. In the first day of life, newborns have black stool made up of amniotic fluid, skin cells, and other things ingested while in the womb. This is normal and changes to a tan color within a few days. What is causing your black stool?
What are the reasons of a person having black stool?
- Peptic ulcer. People think: “Blood is always red!”-it’s not!
- Gastritis. Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
- Colon polyps. Colon polyps are small growths in the colon.
- Colorectal cancer. Colon cancer and cancer of the rectum are sometimes described under the umbrella term “colorectal cancer.”
- Constipation.
Is black stool a bad sign?
Black stool is often a symptom associated with other gastrointestinal complaints and can potentially indicate a stomach related problem. Black stool often appears tarry, can have a foul smell and may show abdominal discomfort too.
Why would one have a black stool?
Bleeding in the upper portion of your digestive system can cause black, tarry stools. Ulcers or another form of irritation in your esophagus or stomach known as gastritis can cause bleeding. When the blood mixes with digestive fluids, it takes on the appearance of tar. Certain medications can also lead to black-colored stools.
What does black stool indicate and how is it treated?
Some possible treatments for black tarry stool include antibiotics to combat infections, acid-reducing medications to treat ulcers, surgery for abnormal veins, removal of polyps, or simple diet changes like avoiding foods which can cause the stool to appear black or tarry.
