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I Woke Up With Morning With A Loose Bowel Movement
Question: I woke up with morning with a loose bowel movement that was dark brown or black in color. The previous day or so I have been slightly constipated but managed to poop each day. I normally have very regular bowel movements- the right color, and daily. Not loose or constipated. I try to eat well every day with plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercise 3 times a week but sometimes do not drink enough water. Lately I've been eating a lot of XXXXXXX that I have grown, I take Lovastatin, Pataday, Magnesium, Calcium, CO--Q-10, Vitamin D. Lately I have been extremely stressed because my cat is sick and I've been going back and forth to the vet and trying everything to keep him alive. I cry and fret daily. It's been rather awful for two weeks, emotionally. I am grateful that I have friends that I can talk to. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Probably related to stress
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. The connection between the brain and our intestines is close and complex, and oftentimes changes in bowel habits is linked to stress and emotional changes, and I would suspect this is the most likely cause in your case. Given all that you have been going through the last couple of weeks, it is not surprising to me at all that you would have some changes in your bowel movements, and so I would not be too concerned about that.
However, the report that your stools are black does concern me a little bit, since black stools can sometimes be a sign of bleeding somewhere in the GI tract. Especially if you were having stomach pain in your upper abdomen, or the stools appeared to be a sticky black texture (like tar), I would be concerned especially for a possible stomach ulcer, which stress can also bring on sometimes. But if you don't have any stomach pain, and the stool is just very dark but otherwise looks like it has a normal consistency, it is probably nothing and it would be safe to see how it goes in the coming days and weeks and see if it resolves, hopefully after you are able to relax a little.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Probably related to stress
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. The connection between the brain and our intestines is close and complex, and oftentimes changes in bowel habits is linked to stress and emotional changes, and I would suspect this is the most likely cause in your case. Given all that you have been going through the last couple of weeks, it is not surprising to me at all that you would have some changes in your bowel movements, and so I would not be too concerned about that.
However, the report that your stools are black does concern me a little bit, since black stools can sometimes be a sign of bleeding somewhere in the GI tract. Especially if you were having stomach pain in your upper abdomen, or the stools appeared to be a sticky black texture (like tar), I would be concerned especially for a possible stomach ulcer, which stress can also bring on sometimes. But if you don't have any stomach pain, and the stool is just very dark but otherwise looks like it has a normal consistency, it is probably nothing and it would be safe to see how it goes in the coming days and weeks and see if it resolves, hopefully after you are able to relax a little.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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