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Hello Doctor, I Ve Noticed Throughout The Yesterday And Today
Question: Hello doctor,
I've noticed throughout the yesterday and today that I've had quite dark/black stools. No nausea, vomiting, or pain. Just the color change. I don't recall eating/consuming anything that would cause this (Pepto-Bismol or beets). I have not been on the healthiest diet lately and I'm concerned that it's something frightening like a cancer or bleed (i've had a colonoscopy within the last year and it was completely normal). I dont feel lightheaded or dizzy (as with low BP w/ a bleed), but I don't have insurance and need to make sure before I rush to the ER.
Thank you
I've noticed throughout the yesterday and today that I've had quite dark/black stools. No nausea, vomiting, or pain. Just the color change. I don't recall eating/consuming anything that would cause this (Pepto-Bismol or beets). I have not been on the healthiest diet lately and I'm concerned that it's something frightening like a cancer or bleed (i've had a colonoscopy within the last year and it was completely normal). I dont feel lightheaded or dizzy (as with low BP w/ a bleed), but I don't have insurance and need to make sure before I rush to the ER.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Colour depends on the food you have taken.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Colour of the stool depends on the food you have taken in the last few days.As you are telling that you have not taken anything like Beetroot etc,we have to think of other causes.
Bleeding from Colon, Rectum will be bright red in colour.
Bleeding from a Stomach or Duodenal ulcer will undergo changes and become dark/ black coloured in stool.
You should consult a Gastroenterologist and get an Upper GI endoscopy.
Till then, you can take a Proton pump inhibitor like Rabeprazole 20mg twice daily before food.If available, you can take Syrup Sucralfate 10ml thrice daily.
Nothing to worry.
Hope I answered your query.If you have any questions,I will clarify further.
Wish you good health
Regards
Colour depends on the food you have taken.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Colour of the stool depends on the food you have taken in the last few days.As you are telling that you have not taken anything like Beetroot etc,we have to think of other causes.
Bleeding from Colon, Rectum will be bright red in colour.
Bleeding from a Stomach or Duodenal ulcer will undergo changes and become dark/ black coloured in stool.
You should consult a Gastroenterologist and get an Upper GI endoscopy.
Till then, you can take a Proton pump inhibitor like Rabeprazole 20mg twice daily before food.If available, you can take Syrup Sucralfate 10ml thrice daily.
Nothing to worry.
Hope I answered your query.If you have any questions,I will clarify further.
Wish you good health
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Upper GI endoscopy will confirm the diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Upper GI endoscopy will confirm the diagnosis.You should get it done now as old reports are irrelevant.
Acid peptic disease can be caused by stress.Whether Ulcer is present or not can be confirmed only by Endoscopy.
Avoid spicy food,pain killers, Carbonated drinks etc
Nothing to worry.
It can be cured.
Regards
Upper GI endoscopy will confirm the diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Upper GI endoscopy will confirm the diagnosis.You should get it done now as old reports are irrelevant.
Acid peptic disease can be caused by stress.Whether Ulcer is present or not can be confirmed only by Endoscopy.
Avoid spicy food,pain killers, Carbonated drinks etc
Nothing to worry.
It can be cured.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
That is correct, I have not taken anything like Beetroot. I had a colonoscopy within the past 12 months, and I'm trying to remember, but I'm almost certain that I've had an endoscopy within the past 2 years (I had quite horrible RUQ pain that I was trying to diagnose). I just dont know if it's something like cancer, being 32 and all. Maybe stress from nursing school caused an ulcer? I know that that isn't too common.
Brief Answer:
I think it could be Peptic ulcer
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I think it may be peptic ulcer,not cancer.
If Ulcer is detected in Endoscopy, you can ask for Biopsy of the Ulcer and exclude Cancer.
Sometimes, Cancer presents as an Ulcer.Biopsy will confirm whether ulcer is Cancerous or not
Regards
I think it could be Peptic ulcer
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I think it may be peptic ulcer,not cancer.
If Ulcer is detected in Endoscopy, you can ask for Biopsy of the Ulcer and exclude Cancer.
Sometimes, Cancer presents as an Ulcer.Biopsy will confirm whether ulcer is Cancerous or not
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Will do. My only question really is, and I know you cannot confirm this, but does this sound like something serious like a cancer, or more like peptic ulcer?
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