Black stools are mostly due to consuming dark-colored food. But sometimes, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract due to ulcers, cancer, or injury, can result in black stools. The other cause includes bowel ischemia, varices, and vascular malformation. Hemorrhoids or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) can also result in black or bloody stools.
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Should I be worried about the dark brown colored stools?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 27-year-old female with no physical conditions taking Lisdexamfetamine for ADHD. My cause for concern is the passing of some very bright, fleshy-looking stool today. About 2 to 3 weeks ago, I decided to add more insoluble fiber and protein to my diet. I was consuming around 75 ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for the query. I can understand your concern. You have been suffering from the passing of a very bright, red, fleshy-looking stool. According to your statement, your recent changes in diet patterns have done that. Hard stool indicates fecal substances having a l... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, I am an 18-year-old male. I have been experiencing recurring cramp-like pain in my lower abdomen for the past one and a half months. The pain comes and goes intermittently. I have also noticed that my stool is appearing black and gold in color, and it is also floating. Additionally, I ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have thoroughly reviewed your query and would like to offer some suggestions. The recurring cramp-like pain in your lower abdomen could stem from a variety of factors, including gastrointestinal issues, hormonal fluctuations, or stress. Given the intermittent natu... Read Full »
My stools appear black despite stopping iron supplements. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had iron deficiency anemia for three months. In short, my third CBC doctor said everything is going fine, and my hemoglobin level is increasing. I have also done another blood test, even if I have not used iron supplements for two days. My blood levels were still increasing; I a... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. If you have significant gastrointestinal bleeding, it is reflected in CBC (complete blood count) in the form of decreased hemoglobin level and increased platelet count. However, the minor bleeding will not be reflected in CBC. Iron medicine can remain in circulation... Read Full »
Do protein supplements cause black stools?
Query: Hello doctor, I am 16 years old. I have started taking a protein supplement since yesterday. I passed black stools this morning. Is this black color because of the protein powder? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Protein supplements do not cause black stools. Black stools, also known as melena, occur if there is bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. There are chances of black stools if you take medications like Pepto-Bismol or Iron supplements. So, if you are not on Pepto-... Read Full »
Does black stools suggest liver failure in alcoholic cirrhosis?
Query: Hello doctor, I am 59 years old. I was diagnosed with hepatitis C alcoholic cirrhosis, acute pancreatitis and that was almost two years. I am currently taking Levothyroxine 50 mg once daily, Labetalol Hydrochloride 100 mg once daily, Lisinopril 20 mg once daily. I was in the hospital at first to sta... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Black stools are indicative of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Melena or black stools can also turn into a medical emergency if a lot of blood is lost and hence my sincere advice to you would be to go see a doctor as soon as possible. This does not signify liver f... Read Full »
I vomit after eating and have an upset stomach with black stool. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I vomit after eating and have an upset stomach too. I also have a black stool. What could be the causes of these? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. This seems to be peptic ulcer within stomach. The pain of stomach ulcer worsen after taking meals. Do you have a previous history of peptic ulcers? The black stools are suggestive of ongoing bleeding from peptic ulcer; the bleeding may be small to cause change in the... Read Full »
Are my stools black due to taking Dexlansoprazole for acid reflux?
Query: Hi doctor,I am having black stools these days. Earlier, I had acid reflux and currently, I am taking Dexlansoprazole. I need to consult a gastroenterologist. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. For acid reflux, you can take the capsule Esomeprazole 40 mg once before breakfast for a minimum of four weeks. Do not give a gap. Avoid overeating, spicy and fried foods. Do not lie down for two hours after a meal. For black stools, if you are taking any multivitamin... Read Full »
I am passing black stools since two days. Why?
Query: Hi doctor, I am passing black stools since two days. I am on medication since four months. The current medication I am taking is Irozorb and Cranbe. Please suggest me what to do. Read Full »
Answer: Hello.Welcome to icliniq.com.Iron in Irozorb can make the stools black or it may be happening due to gastritis or stomach ulcers. It is the iron that oxidizes and give black color, but it seems like you are taking these medications since four months. Did you have black color stools before?Do you hav... Read Full »
What is the reason for black stool in a baby who is on iron supplement?
Query: Hello doctor, My daughter is 19 months old and she passed a dark black putty stool today. She has been taking iron supplements for anemia for 3 and a half months now, and I have never seen a stool like this before. Should I get her checked over at emergency? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Dark color stool is probably due to iron supplement, you may be not noticed it previously or it may be that yesterday she has given more amount of iron supplement. Dark color stool due to blood is unlikely if there is no underlying liver disease or swallowed blood du... Read Full »
I have a sore throat, fever, runny nose, with black stool. Is there anything serious?
Query: Hi doctor, I have a sore throat, fever, runny nose, and black stool. Is there anything serious? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are suffering from probably acute viral rhinopharyngitis with black stools. Black stools may be due to GI bleeding or Iron tablets consumption or infection, etc. Until examination is done it is difficult to say what it is. Use water vapor inhalation and salt wate... Read Full »