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Is Black Stool A Symptom Of Pancreatic Cancer?

Posted on Sat, 16 Jul 2016

Question: Hi Dr. XXXXXXX I have been in fear i have pancreatic caner or liver. Last night i ate a big steak. This morning my stool was black. Concerns me i have bleeding

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (9 minutes later)

it might just be indigested bloog if that was not well cooked do you get stomach issues often?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (9 minutes later)

I dont have stomach pain but been feeling a nagging pain on my right side. I dont have stomach pain or nausea. Im very scared and seeing a doctor this week

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
One black stool doesnt tell anything.

Detailed Answer:
Hallo,

Thanks for writing back to HCM, here i want to clear one important thing that black stool DOES NOT mean bleeding , it might be iron from the steak any sauce colour or anything which stayed undigested.

you should only be concerned if stools stay black for longer periods of time i-e for next 2..3 more bowel movements.

Regarding live and pancreas cancer, they dont show up suddenly and the symptom is not usually just a black stool pancreatic cancer usually causes loads of pain, weight loss, may be diabetes jaundice and rapid deterioration.

Same way liver cancer causes other issues like body swelling bleed jaundice kidney failure drowsiness and may be mlack stools.

So in my opinion you shouldnt panic think about simple and common causes first. Just keep an eye on stool colour and if it improved don't bother much about one episode of black stool.

If you have more concerns to ask im.here to answer.

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (10 hours later)

Thank you doc! I went tbe bathroom today and seems like everythibg back to normal.

I do have a question about stress and anxiety. If you suffer from both can that affect your overall heatlh? Like back pain and bowl movements. I feel like when stress myself out like i have my body starts to act up.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes a happy man has a better health compared to one in chronic stress.

Detailed Answer:
Hallo thanks for writing back, yes indeed mental situation affects body big time. IF you are in stress your hormones and stress neuroreceptors are activated this may cause increased heart rate ...panic symptoms... loss of sleep...low energy... dull mood..disturbed bowel...(mostly anxiety causes diarrhea).

It is always recommended to follow relaxation techniques, you can learn these technique with the help of your psychiatrist, youtube is also atuffed up with such techniques. One should know one's own body, some people are really good at distracting themselves and getting themselves out of anxiety...you have to know what works for you..

Is there anything else you want to discuss?

regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (4 hours later)

Thank you doctor. I keeep harping in this stool color. The black stool is gone but its now a light brown. My mind is telling me yellow because all the stuff i keep reading. Does stress and anxity cause your body to digest food quicker making change color

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Light brown is fine.

Detailed Answer:
stress doesnt cause it to digest quick gut starts to move quick so it causes more frequent bowel movements... brown colour is fine its bo more black so there is no need to worry.... if you learn to control you anxiety things will be better to you .

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar