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Diarrhea With Blood, Black And Foul Smelling Stools, No Pain. Reason To See A Doctor?

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Posted on Sat, 29 Sep 2012
Question: A few days ago I come home from work feeling fine, but had diarrhea with a good amount of bright red blood. The next couple of days my stool was black and abnormally foul smelling. I never had pain or felt bad Today I seem to be fine. Is this reason to see a dr or only if it reoccurs?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Charles S Narasi (1 hour later)
Hello, AAAAA
Sudden onset of diarrhea with bright red blood is definitely
Of concern depending on your age. If you are over 40-50yrs.
and no other associated symptoms like fever, abdominal pain,
or nausea, I would have you see your primmary care doctor
and get a referral to see a gastroenterologist ASAP.
You can have bleeding Diverticulosis, which means infection
that would give you fever,chills etc.
If you have been on antibiotics for some infection, we have to
think about C.difficile superinfection also called
"Antibiotic Induced Colitis". That requires your stool
tested for C.Difficile toxins A&B. If this is positive you need
to be treated for that.
Only other thing I can think of is an an acute bleed from a
stomach ulcer that slows down and causes dark stools.
Have to always think about too much alcohol and drugs
such as aspirin &Ibuprofen.
You do need to see your doctor soon.
Wish you well.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Charles S Narasi

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1962

Answered : 693 Questions

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Diarrhea With Blood, Black And Foul Smelling Stools, No Pain. Reason To See A Doctor?

Hello, AAAAA
Sudden onset of diarrhea with bright red blood is definitely
Of concern depending on your age. If you are over 40-50yrs.
and no other associated symptoms like fever, abdominal pain,
or nausea, I would have you see your primmary care doctor
and get a referral to see a gastroenterologist ASAP.
You can have bleeding Diverticulosis, which means infection
that would give you fever,chills etc.
If you have been on antibiotics for some infection, we have to
think about C.difficile superinfection also called
"Antibiotic Induced Colitis". That requires your stool
tested for C.Difficile toxins A&B. If this is positive you need
to be treated for that.
Only other thing I can think of is an an acute bleed from a
stomach ulcer that slows down and causes dark stools.
Have to always think about too much alcohol and drugs
such as aspirin &Ibuprofen.
You do need to see your doctor soon.
Wish you well.