What are the causes for dark spots in stool?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I am deeply concerned about your worries. Any history associated with dark spots, loss of motion, abdominal cramps, weight loss, epigastric pain, chronic illness like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, duodenal or gastric ulcer, and medication history?

Melena is the medical term for the black, tarry stool that comes from bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Black stool is a sign of older blood in your stool. The blood turns black and tarry while traveling through your GI tract from higher up, where it started, usually in your stomach or upper small intestine. Digestive chemicals interact with the blood during its journey, changing its color and texture.

What is the difference between melena and black stool?

Healthcare providers diagnose melena when they have confirmed that the color of your poop is, in fact, from internal bleeding. Black stool is often a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding, but not always. Certain medications, supplements, and foods may also turn your poop black. In that case, it’s not called melena.

Possible causes:

Melena comes from bleeding in your upper GI tract, usually your stomach or the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum). It could also be from your lower esophagus if you swallowed the blood. Rarely, it might be from your small lower bowel or upper large bowel if your bowels move very slowly.

Causes of upper GI bleeding and melena may include:

1. Peptic ulcer disease (a bleeding ulcer in your stomach or duodenum).
2. Severe inflammation (gastritis or esophagitis).
3. Erosion of your stomach lining (acute hemorrhagic erosive gastropathy).
4. Trauma or gastrointestinal perforation (a tear in the lining of your GI tract).
5. Swollen and ruptured veins (varices) in your esophagus or stomach. A tear in your esophagus caused by violent vomiting. Cancer in your stomach, esophagus, or pancreas.

Investigations:

1. CBC (complete blood count).
2. LFT (liver function test).
3. RFT (renal function test).
4. Serum electrolytes.
5. Ultrasound abdomen and pelvic management.

You should consult a gastroenterologist. Take one tablet of iron at night. Stop the medication you are taking, and take one 40 mg tablet of Omeprazole two times a day, half an hour before a meal.

I hope this information will help you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.,

It is alright, the way you described seems like it was melena.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.