My stools are hard and dark. Do you suspect stomach ulcer?

Question

Hi doctor,

Five days before, I had stomach upset. The doctor prescribed me Pantoprazole, Metronidazole and Albendazole (once) for three days.

My acidity, gas and constipation got relieved. But, I still observe a little hard and dark stool.

Also, there is a mild pain without blood while passing stool. I am worried about dark stool. Do you suspect stomach ulcer?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Dark and hard stool is because of constipation and not ulcer. Gastric ulcer will initially produce burning pain in the middle part of the upper abdomen and in very rare case bleeding occur from ulcer and then only stool become brown colored.

Pain around the anus is also due to excessive straining to pass hard stool. In addition to your mentioned treatment, you should add stool softener to relieve strain during passing stool. Consult your specialist doctor and discuss with him or her.

Once the constipation is relieved and then also you have dark stool, then you should get a stool examination for occult blood to check the microscopic amount of blood in stool and based on which further evaluation will be decided.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Lactulose is mainly for liver patients. You can try liquid Cremaffin (Liquid paraffin and Milk of magnesia). The treatment given to you is not for ulcer, it is for non-specific intestinal infection (enteritis). If you have burning pain in the center part of the abdomen in empty stomach, then I suggest antacid syrup like Digene gel (Aluminium hydroxide) also for quick relief along with this treatment.

For further doubts consult a medical gastroenterologist online.