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Is Black Stool A Cause For Concern?

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Posted on Tue, 13 Sep 2016
Question: What does it mean if your stool is black?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
bleeding from the upper gastro tract, iron, pepto bismol

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Black stool can have different causes, the main ones being :(1) presence of blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract- blood from the esophagus, stomach and small intestines may cause black stool because it is altered as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract

This can occur if there is a history of reflux or ulcer in the stomach or use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, cataflam, aspirin) or other blood thinners (warfarin) or bleeding disorder or infection

Blood from the large intestines appears red

(2)iron supplements can also cause black stool

(3)pepto bismol can also cause the stool to darken

it would be best to see your doctor so that the cause can be determined. This would involve review of symptoms , known illnesses and medications. Physical examination of the abdomen would also be required.
Further investigations would depend on the findings

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is Black Stool A Cause For Concern?

Brief Answer: bleeding from the upper gastro tract, iron, pepto bismol Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic Black stool can have different causes, the main ones being :(1) presence of blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract- blood from the esophagus, stomach and small intestines may cause black stool because it is altered as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract This can occur if there is a history of reflux or ulcer in the stomach or use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, cataflam, aspirin) or other blood thinners (warfarin) or bleeding disorder or infection Blood from the large intestines appears red (2)iron supplements can also cause black stool (3)pepto bismol can also cause the stool to darken it would be best to see your doctor so that the cause can be determined. This would involve review of symptoms , known illnesses and medications. Physical examination of the abdomen would also be required. Further investigations would depend on the findings I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions