Hi and Welcome to XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query.

The symptoms you are having are most likely related to indigestion and irritable bowel.

This in mild cases can be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes. Take the following steps to help manage your symptoms:

1. Increase the amount of fluid you drink, especially water. Avoid carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages.
2. Avoid foods that cause gas, such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, and XXXXXXX The amount of gas that different foods cause varies from person to person.
3. Avoid swallowing air. Swallowing air may increase your symptoms.
4. Eat slowly. Avoid gulping food or beverages. When you rush through meals or eat on the run, you are more likely to swallow air.
5. Chew your food thoroughly before you swallow.
6. Avoid drinking through a straw.
7. Avoid chewing gum or eating hard candy.
8. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.

Use of OTC medications mentioned below can be used to have some relief.
1. Activated charcoal (Charcocaps) , will absorb the excess gas produced.
2. Antacids, such as Di-Gel, Maalox Anti-Gas, and Mylanta Gas, will help reduce the dizziness.
3. Food enzymes, such as Beano, which help break down the sugars found in vegetables and grains, can be added to foods that cause you to have gas.

You can also start taking a multivitamin supplement.

I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you.

Wishing you good health...

Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.
Orthopaedic Surgeon.

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Hi,
Thanks for writing back.

The symptoms you have might be due to gastric bleeding. Iron supplements can also cause black stools. Dizziness might be due to electrolyte imbalance.

You should notify your doctor and give him a sample. then they can test it and make sure its not from bleeding, parasites, infection, etc.

If these tests come back ok, then there are alot of things that can cause black stool including digestive conditions, dietary habits, viral infections, medications and many more. if the stool sample tests are good and your symptoms continue- follow up with a gastroenterologist first.

If those are good- then look into your diet and medications as a cause. Also- certain female problems like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibriods, and more can cause symptoms like this, especially if it obstructs the bowel- that could cause it to be black and not normal when it does evacuate.

I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you

Wishing you good health...

Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.

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