What are the causes of charcoal black stool. How can you differentiate between benign and serious causes of black stool. What diagnostic tests are used to identify the source of black stools. When should you seek medical attention for black stools.

The Significance of Charcoal Black Stools: More Than Just a Color Change

Charcoal black stools can be an alarming sight, often causing concern for those who experience them. While the color change can sometimes be attributed to benign causes, it’s crucial to understand that black stools may also indicate a serious underlying health condition. This article delves into the various causes of charcoal black stools, their implications, and when to seek medical attention.

Common Causes of Black Stools: From Dietary Factors to Medical Conditions

Black stools can result from a variety of factors, ranging from harmless dietary choices to potentially life-threatening medical conditions. Understanding these causes is essential for proper assessment and timely intervention.

Dietary Causes of Black Stools

• Consuming black licorice
• Eating blueberries in large quantities
• Ingesting blood sausage
• Taking iron supplements
• Using activated charcoal supplements
• Consuming medications containing bismuth (e.g., Pepto-Bismol)

These dietary factors typically result in harmless black stools that resolve once the causative agent is no longer consumed. However, it’s important to note that persistent black stools, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, may indicate a more serious condition.

Medical Conditions Causing Black Stools

Black or tarry stools with a foul odor, medically termed melena, often signify bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This can include:

• Bleeding in the esophagus
• Stomach bleeding
• Bleeding in the first part of the small intestine (duodenum)
• Bleeding on the right side of the colon

The black color is a result of blood being digested as it moves through the GI tract. This is in contrast to bright red blood in the stool, which typically indicates bleeding in the lower GI tract.

Identifying the Source: Upper vs. Lower GI Tract Bleeding

The color of blood in the stool can provide valuable clues about the source of bleeding. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Upper GI Tract Bleeding

Black or tarry stools typically indicate bleeding in the upper part of the GI tract, including:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• First part of the small intestine

The dark color is due to the blood being partially digested as it travels through the digestive system.

Lower GI Tract Bleeding

Red or fresh blood in the stools, also known as rectal bleeding, usually signifies bleeding from the lower GI tract, specifically:

• Rectum
• Anus

The bright red color indicates that the blood has not been digested and is coming from a source closer to the end of the digestive tract.

Medical Conditions Associated with Black Stools: Beyond Dietary Causes

While dietary factors can lead to black stools, several medical conditions can also cause this symptom. Understanding these potential causes is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Peptic Ulcers: A Common Culprit

Peptic ulcers are the most frequent cause of acute upper GI bleeding, often resulting in black, tarry stools. These ulcers can occur in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) and may be caused by factors such as:

• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Stress

Other Medical Conditions Causing Black Stools

Several other medical conditions can lead to black, tarry stools:

• Abnormal blood vessels in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum
• Mallory-Weiss tear (a tear in the esophagus from violent vomiting)
• Ischemic bowel disease (reduced blood supply to part of the intestines)
• Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
• Esophageal or gastric varices (enlarged veins, often due to liver cirrhosis)
• Cancer of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or ampulla of Vater

Given the potential severity of these conditions, it’s crucial to seek medical attention if you experience persistent black stools, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing the Red Flags

While not all instances of black stools require immediate medical attention, certain symptoms and circumstances warrant prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional.

Signs That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following:

• Noticeable blood or changes in the color of your stool
• Vomiting blood
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Persistent black stools not explained by dietary factors
• Black stools accompanied by abdominal pain, fever, or unexplained weight loss

It’s important to note that in children, a small amount of blood in the stool is often not serious and is commonly caused by constipation. However, it’s still advisable to inform your child’s healthcare provider if you notice this issue.

Diagnostic Approach: Unraveling the Cause of Black Stools

When presented with a case of black stools, healthcare providers employ a systematic approach to determine the underlying cause. This process typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.

Medical History and Physical Examination

Your healthcare provider will begin by taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical examination, focusing on your abdomen. They may ask questions about:

• Current medications, including blood thinners and NSAIDs
• Recent dietary habits
• Frequency and duration of black stools
• Associated symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss)
• Recent trauma or accidental ingestion of foreign objects

Diagnostic Tests for Black Stools

Depending on the initial assessment, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

1. Blood tests: Complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistries, and clotting studies
2. Stool tests: To check for the presence of blood and rule out infections
3. Endoscopic procedures:
   • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): To examine the upper GI tract
   • Colonoscopy: To examine the lower GI tract
   • Capsule endoscopy: To visualize the small intestine
   • Double balloon enteroscopy: To reach parts of the small intestine not accessible by EGD or colonoscopy
4. Imaging studies:
   • Angiography: To identify and potentially treat bleeding blood vessels
   • Bleeding scan: A nuclear medicine test to locate the source of bleeding
5. Tests for Helicobacter pylori infection: If peptic ulcer disease is suspected

These tests help healthcare providers determine the cause of black stools and guide appropriate treatment decisions.

Treatment Approaches: Addressing the Underlying Cause

The treatment for black stools depends on the underlying cause identified through diagnostic testing. Treatment approaches can range from simple dietary modifications to complex medical interventions.

Dietary Causes

If black stools are determined to be caused by dietary factors or certain medications, the treatment may involve:

• Discontinuing the causative food or supplement
• Adjusting medication dosage or switching to alternative medications
• Monitoring stools to ensure they return to normal color

Medical Conditions

For black stools caused by medical conditions, treatment may include:

• Medications to reduce stomach acid production (for peptic ulcers)
• Antibiotics to treat H. pylori infection
• Endoscopic procedures to stop bleeding (e.g., cauterization, clipping)
• Blood transfusions in cases of severe blood loss
• Surgery for conditions that don’t respond to other treatments

In severe cases of bleeding that cause significant blood loss and a drop in blood pressure, hospitalization may be necessary for close monitoring and intensive treatment.

Preventing Black Stools: Lifestyle Modifications and Precautions

While not all causes of black stools are preventable, certain lifestyle modifications and precautions can help reduce the risk of developing conditions that lead to this symptom.

Dietary Considerations

• Limit consumption of foods known to cause black stools (e.g., black licorice, large quantities of blueberries)
• If taking iron supplements, follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare provider if you experience persistent black stools
• Be mindful of medications containing bismuth and their potential to cause temporary black stools

Lifestyle Modifications

• Reduce alcohol consumption, as excessive alcohol intake can contribute to gastritis and peptic ulcers
• Quit smoking, as it increases the risk of various gastrointestinal conditions
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, or counseling
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal issues

Medication Precautions

• Use NSAIDs cautiously and only as directed by a healthcare provider
• If on blood thinners, follow up regularly with your healthcare provider for monitoring
• Discuss any concerns about medication side effects with your healthcare provider

By implementing these preventive measures, you can potentially reduce your risk of developing conditions that lead to black stools. However, it’s important to remember that some causes of black stools are not preventable, and prompt medical attention is crucial if you experience this symptom unexpectedly.

Long-term Outlook: Managing and Monitoring Black Stools

The long-term outlook for individuals who have experienced black stools varies depending on the underlying cause. Understanding the importance of follow-up care and ongoing monitoring is crucial for maintaining gastrointestinal health.

Follow-up Care

After the initial treatment for black stools, follow-up care may involve:

• Regular check-ups with a gastroenterologist
• Repeat endoscopic procedures to ensure healing (e.g., for peptic ulcers)
• Blood tests to monitor for anemia or other complications
• Adjustments to medications or treatment plans as needed

Ongoing Monitoring

Individuals who have experienced black stools should be vigilant about:

• Monitoring stool color and consistency
• Watching for recurrence of symptoms
• Reporting any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider promptly
• Adhering to recommended dietary and lifestyle modifications

Potential Complications

Depending on the cause of black stools, potential long-term complications may include:

• Recurrent bleeding
• Anemia
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Increased risk of certain cancers (in cases of chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease)

Regular monitoring and adherence to treatment plans can help minimize these risks and improve long-term outcomes.

In conclusion, while charcoal black stools can be alarming, understanding their potential causes, recognizing when to seek medical attention, and following through with appropriate treatment and follow-up care are key to managing this condition effectively. By staying informed and proactive about your gastrointestinal health, you can work towards maintaining overall well-being and preventing potential complications associated with black stools.

Black or tarry stools: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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.

Eating black licorice, blueberries, blood sausage or taking iron pills, activated charcoal, or medicines that contain bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol), can also cause black stools. Beets and foods with red coloring can sometimes make stools appear reddish. In all these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood.

Bleeding in the esophagus or stomach (such as with peptic ulcer disease) can also cause you to vomit blood.

The color of the blood in the stools can indicate the source of bleeding.

• Black or tarry stools may be due to bleeding in the upper part of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, or the first part of the small intestine. In this case, blood is darker because it gets digested on its way through the GI tract.
• Red or fresh blood in the stools (rectal bleeding), is a sign of bleeding from the lower GI tract (rectum and anus).

Peptic ulcers are the most common cause of acute upper GI bleeding. Black and tarry stools may also occur due to:

• Abnormal blood vessels in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum
• A tear in the esophagus from violent vomiting (Mallory-Weiss tear)
• Blood supply being cut off to part of the intestines
• Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
• Trauma or foreign body
• Widened, overgrown veins (called varices) in the esophagus and stomach, commonly caused by liver cirrhosis
• Cancer of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or ampulla of Vater

Contact your health care provider right away if:

• You notice blood or changes in the color of your stool
• You vomit blood
• You feel dizzy or lightheaded

In children, a small amount of blood in the stool is most often not serious. The most common cause is constipation. You should still tell your child’s provider if you notice this problem.

Your provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. The exam will focus on your abdomen.

You may be asked the following questions:

• Are you taking blood thinners, such as aspirin, warfarin, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Xarelto, or clopidogrel, or similar medicines? Are you taking an NSAID, such as ibuprofen or naproxen?
• Have you had any trauma or swallowed a foreign object accidentally?
• Have you eaten black licorice, lead, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries?
• Have you had more than one episode of blood in your stool? Is every stool this way?
• Have you lost any weight recently?
• Is there blood on the toilet paper only?
• What color is the stool?
• When did the problem develop?
• What other symptoms are present (abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, or fever)? 

You may need to have one or more tests to look for the cause:

• Angiography
• Bleeding scan (nuclear medicine)
• Blood studies, including a complete blood count (CBC) and differential, serum chemistries, clotting studies
• Colonoscopy
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD
• Stool culture
• Tests for the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection
• Capsule endoscopy (a pill with a built in camera that takes a video of the small intestine)
• Double balloon enteroscopy (a scope that can reach the parts of the small intestine that are not able to be reached with EGD or colonoscopy)

Severe cases of bleeding that cause excessive blood loss and a drop in blood pressure may require surgery or hospitalization.

Stools – bloody; Melena; Stools – black or tarry; Upper gastrointestinal bleeding; Melenic stools

• Diverticulitis and diverticulosis – discharge
• Diverticulitis – what to ask your doctor
• Ulcerative colitis – discharge

• Abdominal organs
• Ulcer emergencies
• Mallory-Weiss tear
• Capsule endoscopy

Chaptini L, Peikin S. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Parrillo JE, Dellinger RP, eds. Critical Care Medicine: Principles of Diagnosis and Management in the Adult. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 72.

DeGeorge LM, Nable JV. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 26.

Kovacs TO, Jensen DM. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 126.

Savides TJ, Jensen DM. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 20.

Updated by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Why Is My Poop Black? 7 Causes of Black or Tarry Stool

Written by Stephanie Watson

• Iron Supplements
• Dark-Colored Foods
• Medicines With Bismuth
• Bleeding Ulcer
• Esophageal and Gastric Cancers
• Mallory-Weiss Tear
• Esophageal Varices
• More

If you notice your poop is black or tarry, it might be due to something as simple as a change in your diet or a new medicine you’re taking. Sometimes, though, it’s a sign of a medical problem that you don’t want to ignore.

Even if you think you know why it’s happening, always call your doctor if you have black, tarry stools.

Black poop can be a side effect of iron pills you take for anemia — a condition that happens when you don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around your body.

Other side effects of iron supplements are:

• Stomachache
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Heartburn

Tell your doctor if you notice any problems after you take iron supplements. You may need to stop or switch to a different type.

Sometimes dark-colored foods turn your poop black. These include:

• Black licorice
• Chocolate sandwich cookies
• Blueberries
• Grape juice
• Beets

The dark color should go away once you stop eating the food that caused it.

Drugs for upset stomach like bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) contain bismuth to calm your belly. Bismuth can turn your tongue and poop black.

This symptom is harmless. It should go away once you stop taking the medicine. Call your doctor and stop taking it if you:

• Have a ringing or buzzing sound in your ears or can’t hear
• Feel worse after taking bismuth

A bleeding ulcer is the most common concerning cause of dark stools. An ulcer is an open sore on the inside of your stomach or small intestine. Sometimes these sores bleed. This can make your poop dark. Blood exposed to gastric acids turns black and tarry (sticky). This is called melena and is a sign of an upper gastrointestinal bleed.

Alcohol and NSAIDs and hpylori increase your risk for gastric ulcers

Other signs that you have an ulcer include:

• Burning pain in your belly
• Swollen belly
• Burping
• Heartburn
• Nausea, throwing up, or having vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Some medicines for ulcers lower the amount of acid in your stomach. Others coat and protect it from the damage that stomach acids can cause.

Call your doctor if you:

• See blood in your poop or vomit
• Have trouble breathing
• Feel like you’re about to pass out
• Have lost weight without trying
• Lose your appetite

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.

Some other symptoms of esophageal cancer are:

• Problems with swallowing
• Losing weight when you aren’t trying to
• Pain in your chest
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Coughing

If you have gastric (stomach) cancer, you could have symptoms like:

• Feeling tired
• Being bloated after you eat
• Severe heartburn or indigestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in your stomach
• Losing weight when you’re not trying to

Treatment for these cancers depends on the stage of the disease and how far it’s spread. Options can include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

Intense coughing or vomiting can tear the esophagus and make it bleed, a condition called a Mallory-Weiss tear.

Other symptoms you might get are:

• Bright red vomit or black stuff in your vomit that looks black like coffee grounds
• Weakness
• Dizziness or fainting
• Trouble breathing
• Pale skin
• Diarrhea
• Belly or chest pain

Most tears heal on their own. If yours doesn’t, your doctor can use a heat treatment or give you medicine to stop the bleeding.

Call your doctor if you:

• See a dark color in your vomit or poop
• Feel weak or dizzy
• Feel short of breath
• Have pain in your chest or belly

Varices are swollen veins in the esophagus — the tube that your food travels down to get from your throat to your stomach. These abnormal veins can sometimes leak blood or break open. They’re more common in people with liver disease.

If varices are the cause of bright red blood in your stools, you might also have symptoms like:

• Yellow skin and eyes
• Bruises
• Swollen belly
• Throwing up blood
• Dizziness
• Fainting

Bleeding in your esophagus is an emergency that needs treatment in a hospital. The treatment usually involves getting medicine through an IV to lower the pressure in the veins or a procedure called an endoscopy to tie off the veins to stop the bleeding.

Call your doctor if you:

• Blood in your vomit or have black tarry stool
• Get very dizzy or pass out

Top Picks

causes in adults and children

Contents

• 1 Black stools: causes in adults and children
  • 1. 1 Causes of black stools
  • 1.2 Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
  • preparations
  • 1.4 Use of activated charcoal in case of black stool
  • 1.5 Nutritious diet
  • 1.6 Abdominal pain with black stool in adults and children
  • 1.7 Gastrointestinal microflora disorder
  • 1.8 Stomach fullness
  • 1.9 Food tolerance
  • 1.10 Causes of black stool with certain drugs
  • 1.11 Chemical poisoning
  • 1.12 Association of black stool with malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract
  • 1.13 Related videos:
  • 1.14 Q&A:
    • • 1.14.0.1 What could be the causes of black stool in an adult?
      • 1.14.0.2 What does black stool mean in a child and what could be its causes?
      • 1.14.0.3 Is black stool a sign of dangerous bowel disease?
      • 1.14.0.4 How can you tell if a child’s black stool is caused by foods high in iron?
      • 1.14.0.5 How is bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract related to black stool?
      • 1. 14.0.6 Can some medicines cause black stools?

Black stool is a symptom that may indicate some serious health conditions. The article will talk about the causes of black feces in adults and children, and the need for immediate consultation with a doctor.

Black stool is a change in the color and texture of the stool that attracts the person’s attention. Doctors and health experts believe that changes in the color and consistency of stool become the basis for identifying a number of diseases. One of the changes that people can experience is black stools, which can indicate certain medical conditions.

The black chair is a great way to frame discussions with healthcare professionals and experts. In this article, we look at the various causes that can lead to black stools using scientific and research evidence. The most common causes include consumption of certain drugs and drinks, as well as dietary and medical conditions.

Be aware that any changes in stool color or texture can be signs of serious illness. If you find that you have black stools, then you need to visit a doctor and conduct a diagnosis in order to find and treat the cause of its appearance.

Causes of black stools

Black stools in adults and children can be due to various causes. One of the most common causes is a digestive problem. For example, black stools can be a sign of bleeding from the upper parts of the digestive system, such as the stomach or esophagus.

A third cause of black stools may be related to liver disease. Chronic liver failure, cirrhosis, and acute hepatitis can cause black stools. Bowel diseases, such as intestinal inflammation, can also cause black stools.

• Digestive disorders – bleeding from the stomach or esophagus
• Medicines – contain iron or activated charcoal
• Liver disease – chronic liver failure, cirrhosis liver, acute hepatitis
• Bowel disease – inflammation of the intestine

In any case, if you or your child has black stools, you should immediately consult a doctor to examine and find out the cause of this symptom.

Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract

Bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can cause black stools. This can happen due to peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum. Bleeding can lead to the fact that the blood, entering the intestines, oxidizes and turns black.

In addition, bleeding can be caused by an intestinal infection or an ulcer in the small intestine, which can also lead to black stools.

If you have black stools, it does not mean that you are definitely experiencing bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. However, if you notice such symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor to find out the causes of the problem.

1. Symptoms associated with bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract:

• Black stools
• Bloody or black coffee powder in stools
• Severe abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting

Taking iron supplements

Iron is an essential element for our body. It is involved in the creation of hemoglobin, which is essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body. An iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which causes weakness, fatigue, and poor quality of life. Iron supplements are often prescribed to restore iron levels in the blood.

Black stool with iron supplements is not a serious problem and is not a sign of illness. However, if the stool turns black in the absence of taking such drugs, you should consult a doctor. This may be due to bleeding in the deep parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

• Iron supplements should be taken as prescribed by your doctor.
• Before taking iron supplements, it is recommended to clarify information about the correct intake and possible side effects.
• If you develop black stools while taking iron supplements, you must remain calm and do not stop taking the supplement without consulting your doctor.

Using activated charcoal for black stools

Activated charcoal is an effective way to deal with black stools, which can be caused by a variety of causes, including bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, taking iron, or sometimes even products that contain paint, such as ink or dyes. sweets.

It is important to note that when using activated charcoal, the correct dosage prescribed by the doctor must be observed. If the dosage is exceeded, side effects such as constipation or diarrhea may occur. In addition, the drug may interact with other drugs and reduce their effectiveness, so you should consult a specialist before use.

If you or your child has black stools, it is always worth contacting a doctor who can help identify the cause and prescribe the right treatment. The use of activated charcoal can be part of the treatment, but it should not be used without consulting a doctor.

A nutritious diet

One of the most important factors influencing intestinal health is a proper and nutritious diet. In addition, nutrition can affect the color of the stool. A common cause of black stool is the consumption of foods that contain a large amount of iron, such as buckwheat or meat.

Prebiotics have a great influence on the intestinal microflora, which also improve the color of feces. Prebiotics are found in vegetables, fruits, grain-based foods, and many other foods.

To avoid aggravating stool problems, it is necessary to reduce the intake of fats, salt and sugar. Also, you should not abuse alcohol, which has a strong effect on the intestines and can cause discoloration of the feces.

In other words, proper and healthy nutrition is the key to the health of both the intestines and the whole organism as a whole. Getting enough fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein foods will help maintain a healthy red stool color.

Pain in the abdomen with black stool in an adult and a child

Abdominal pain may be one of the symptoms associated with black stools in adults and children. Such pain can be of varying degrees of intensity and is characterized by different sensations: from dull and aching to sharp or stabbing. Pain can occur in different parts of the abdomen and indicate the presence of a certain pathology.

The most common cause of abdominal pain in black stool is peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum. This pathology is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to the development of ulcers and erosions. With acute penetration of peptic ulcer, severe pain in the epigastric region may occur.

Infectious diseases, allergic reactions to certain foods, and malignant tumors of the stomach can also be possible causes of abdominal pain with black stool. In this case, the pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, fever and diarrhea.

• If you or your child has black stools and a stomach ache, you should see a doctor for advice and treatment.
• Do not try to self-medicate or take medications without a doctor’s recommendation, as improper treatment can lead to complications and worsening of the condition.

It is especially important to seek medical attention if abdominal pain associated with black stools is accompanied by rectal bleeding or other warning signs.

Violation of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract

The gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract) is a complex system consisting of many different organs that perform their own unique functions. One of the key problems that can occur in the gastrointestinal tract is a violation of the microflora.

The microflora of the gastrointestinal tract is a huge number of different microorganisms that are in harmonious balance inside the human body. If this balance is disturbed, then unpleasant consequences can occur – one of which is a change in the color of the feces.

• Normal microflora of the gastrointestinal tract helps to reduce the risk of intestinal diseases and allergies
• One of the reasons for the violation of the microflora may be malnutrition (the strengthening of the microbial population in the gastrointestinal tract occurs due to the proteins, fats and carbohydrates that we consume)
• Another factor in the violation of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract can become antibiotics that destroy both “bad” and “good” bacteria.

To prevent disruption of the gastrointestinal microflora, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and use antibiotics correctly under medical supervision. If you have unusual symptoms, including black stools, be sure to seek the help of a specialist – only he can make an accurate diagnosis and suggest the most effective treatment.

Stomach fullness

Black stools can be the result of stomach fullness, especially if the cause is edible food during festivals. This is due to the large amount of food consumed, which cannot be properly digested in the intestines and therefore passes through it with more intensive processing, which in turn leads to a black coloring of the stool.

Also, full stomach can be caused by diseases such as reflux disease. In this case, eating a lot of fatty or simply heavy foods can lead to full stomach and black stools.

In order to avoid black stool, it is recommended to reduce the amount of food consumed and choose healthier food supplements.

Food Tolerance

Black stools may occur if the body cannot tolerate certain foods. Some people may be sensitive to gluten, lactose, or fructose, which can cause digestive problems. If the body cannot properly digest these foods, they can cause stool discoloration and other nutritional symptoms.

If you or your child has an allergy to a food, this too can cause black stool as a result of a food reaction. Some other allergic reactions can also cause black colored stools.

It is important to watch what you eat and find out what foods can cause you or your child to have digestive problems. If you notice black stools as a result of consuming certain foods, then you should avoid them in the future or reduce the number of portions consumed.

• Foods that can cause discoloration of stool:
  • Gluten-containing foods (bread, pasta, biscuits)
  • Dairy products (milk, cheese)
  • Fruits (apples, pears, grapes)
  • Iron supplements (vitamins) , additives )

If you are not sure what is the problematic product, you should consult a doctor or nutritionist for advice. They can run tests and give advice on dietary changes to avoid digestive problems and black stools.

Causes of black stools with certain medications

Drug therapy with can lead to various side effects, including discoloration of stools. Some medications, especially those containing iron, can cause black stools. This is because iron is oxidized during digestion and excreted along with waste through the intestines.

Don’t panic. However, if you suspect that black stool is due to medication, you should check with your healthcare provider to make sure it is not related to a more serious problem.

It should also be noted, that not only drugs can cause black stools. It is important to pay attention to other symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, bleeding, or urinary problems.

Some medicines that can cause stool discoloration include iron-containing medicines like iron sulfate, multivitamins, anti-ischemic medicines, some antibiotics like amoxicillin and augmentin, and some medicines used to treat gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and peptic ulcer.

If you notice black stools while taking medication, be sure to contact your doctor and ask if you need to change medications or doses to avoid this effect.

Chemical poisoning

Black stool may be the result of chemical poisoning. Chemicals such as heavy metals, chlorine, mercury, arsenic and other poisons can cause this reaction. They can enter the body through the mouth, skin or respiratory tract.

Chemical poisoning can have serious consequences for human health. If you suspect such poisoning, you should consult a doctor immediately. In case of poisoning with poisons, urgent treatment should be carried out immediately.

• Chemical poisoning can be prevented by following safety rules when working with chemicals.
• Personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves must be worn.
• The storage and disposal of chemicals must also be observed.

In case of chemical poisoning, measures must be taken immediately. It is important to remember that self-medication in this situation can be hazardous to health.

Association of black feces with malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract

Black feces may be a sign of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the causes of black feces in adults and children is bloody bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

This may be due to conditions such as gastric or duodenal ulcers, chronic gastritis, polyps, colitis, stomach or colon cancer.

If you notice black stools in yourself or in a child, it is urgent to see a doctor for an examination of the gastrointestinal tract, because the sooner the tumors are identified and treated, the higher the chances of a complete cure.

Black stools can also be caused by medications containing iron, activated charcoal, or food pigments.

However, one should not ignore the appearance of black feces and find out the cause of its occurrence in order to start treatment in a timely manner and prevent negative consequences.

Related videos:

Q&A:

What could be the causes of black feces in an adult?

Black stools in adults may be due to various causes, such as high iron intake, charcoal preparations, or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Black stools are also possible due to certain medications, such as aspirin or bismuth-based medications.

What does black stool mean in a child and what could be its causes?

Black stools in a baby can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as eating foods high in iron, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, or taking iron-based medications. Also, black feces in a child may be the result of the use of products containing activated charcoal, for example, to treat poisoning.

Is black stool a sign of dangerous bowel disease?

Black stool can be a sign of dangerous bowel disease such as stomach or duodenal ulcer, intestinal infarction, bowel or stomach cancer. If you notice black stools in yourself or your child, see your doctor to diagnose and identify possible causes.

How can you tell if a child’s black stool is caused by foods high in iron?

Black stool in a child caused by foods high in iron may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and general weakness. In this case, you need to see a doctor to diagnose and identify the causes.

How is bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract related to the appearance of black stool?

Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to black stools in adults and children. This is due to the fact that the blood in the intestines oxidizes and changes its color, which can appear as black feces. If you notice a similar symptom, you should consult a doctor to diagnose and identify the causes.

Can some medicines cause black stools?

Yes, some medicines can cause black stools in adults and children. For example, aspirin and other salicylic acid-based drugs, as well as bismuth-based drugs, can change the color of stool. If you notice a change in stool color after taking the medicine, contact your doctor for advice and clarification of possible side effects.

Why black feces: causes, diagnosis

Black feces or melena are shapeless, shiny black feces that have a fetid odor. The disease develops due to pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, less often infectious diseases.

Causes of disease

Quite often, the etiological factor is profuse bleeding from the rectum, due to gastroduodenal pathology. A change in the consistency, color of feces can be with nodular periarteritis, acute erosive esophagitis, rupture of an aortic aneurysm.

The main cause of melena is gastrointestinal bleeding. Tar-like stools are found in gastritis, peptic ulcer, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, malignant neoplasms in the stomach, erosive bulbitis. The second main reason may be infectious processes of a bacterial, viral nature. Liquid black stool in an adult is observed with typhoid fever, dengue fever, hemorrhagic fever.

The third reason is a violation of blood clotting in hematological diseases. In this case, melena will be accompanied by bleeding from the nose, uterus, lungs. It develops against the background of hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, Rendu-Osler-Weber disease.

Black sticky stools are manifested in liver pathologies that lead to portal hypertension.

During pregnancy, black feces develops during the treatment of anemia with iron preparations. This condition is not dangerous for the life of the future mother and fetus. However, if there are pathologies of the digestive system, accompanied by bleeding, this is a reason for urgently seeking medical advice.

Important! Some drugs, epistaxis, gastric bleeding can lead to similar stool disorders. In childhood, pathology develops due to Meckel’s protrusion.

Symptoms of pathology

Black stool appears in various pathologies and is a symptom. In acute erosive gastritis, bleeding appears along with severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and almost black feces.

With peptic ulcer, the walls of the stomach are destroyed, hemorrhages develop. In this case, bleeding will be minor or massive with black hard stools.

With oncology of the stomach, patients are concerned about vomiting in the form of coffee grounds, melena.

In infectious pathologies, fetid black feces are accompanied by a rise in temperature, arthralgia, myalgia, and headaches.

The general symptoms of pathology are not associated with the melena itself, but depend on blood loss. If the blood loss is insignificant, then there may be no clear clinical signs.

The risk group includes people who abuse alcohol, antibiotics, corticosteroids. The cause of pathology in men can be pathological and physiological. Black feces in an adult, which appeared due to a physiological cause, are the least dangerous.

In addition, black stools can be after eating foods such as beets, prunes, dark berries, liver, uncooked meat. A distinctive feature is that after a few days the color of the stool returns to normal. In this case, there are no other symptoms, except for the darkening of the feces.

If you cannot understand what is happening to your health or the health of your loved one is in danger, do not waste time and sign up for an online consultation. Our doctors will remotely conduct an examination via video link, ask clarifying questions, give recommendations or answer all your questions in correspondence mode at any time of the day.

Diagnosis

For specification of the diagnosis address to the gastroenterologist, the surgeon. The most effective diagnostic method are:

1. Radiography. In this case, contrast is introduced, which helps to find the focus of the pathology. To find out the reason, this method is uninformative.
2. Endoscopy allows not only to find the place of bleeding, but also to cauterize it, to take a biopsy for further research.
3. Analysis of feces for blood, coprogram, bacteriological culture of feces.
4. A coagulogram is indicated for suspected genetic hemorrhagic pathologies, accompanied by a clotting disorder.
5. Blood study.

Treatment of pathology

If the feces are black, this requires urgent medical attention. After all, this indicates massive internal bleeding in the digestive tract. In this case, it is advisable to call an ambulance for further hospitalization. Eliminate the pathology on your own will not work.

Treatment can be conservative and operational. In drug treatment, antimicrobials, antacids, hepatoprotectors, enzymes and other drugs are used. Treatment tactics depend on the underlying cause of melena.

Surgical intervention is indicated for pathologies of the digestive system, when it is necessary to eliminate the pathological focus that caused bleeding.

If you don’t know how to prepare for procedures, appointments with a doctor, sign up for an online consultation. Our doctors will remotely contact you, explain what needs to be done, give professional detailed advice on which doctors to contact, what tests you need to pass, and select analogues of drugs.

FAQ

Maybe dark stools after surgery?

+

This is an unfavorable sign, indicating internal bleeding. The risk of occurrence increases after operations on the stomach, intestines. In the first weeks after the operation, it is necessary to be observed by specialists.

What diseases cause black feces?

+

This happens in pregnant women as a result of taking iron supplements, with gastritis, peptic ulcer, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, oncology of the stomach, intestines, necrotizing enterocolitis in newborns, typhoid fever.

Why black feces can be in the elderly?

+

The reasons for this can be both physiological and pathological. The etiological factors for the appearance of melena in an elderly person are the same as in adults.