Is Dark Discoloration Of Stool While Taking Stool Softener Medication A Concern?

Posted on Tue, 11 Jan 2022

Question: Hi, over the past few months I've had what the doctor thinks is piles. I took a laxative, and since then the poo has been softer. For the past few weeks I've seen no blood, however, the ends of the poo are slightly darker than the rest, and slowly fades to a lighter colour in the water. Is this a normal occurance? I'm just wondering if the piles are still there :)

Answered by Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would like to have some more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I would like to have some more information.
1.What was your main complaint?Is it pain or bleeding per rectum?
2.If there is pain,whether it is severe during defecation or after?
3.If bleeding is present, whether blood is falling Drop by drop or coming along with hard faecal matter?
4.Whether Digital examination was done or Proctoscopy (instrument used to visualize Piles)?
-Young female at the age of 18 will usually have Fissure in another,a crack in the anal canal causing severe pain.
Piles usually are painless in initial stages.If they are thrombosed with blood clot,it becomes painful.
The treatment is same for Fissure in ano and Initial stages of piles.
You should take High fiber diet,drink plenty of liquids.
Your stool should be soft.
The colour of the stool depends on your food intake.Usually,the last portion will be dark.So, nothing to worry about colour.
Please consult your doctor,get examined with Proctoscopy and exclude Piles.
Usually,blood will stop and the pile gets reduced if you are responding to treatment.
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. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (21 hours later)

Hi thank you for your answer, you seem to have answered my concern. Just a quick follow up question, I noticed that on one side of the hole it is slightly fatter than the other. Is this normal or could it be related to the piles?

Answered by Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It could be due to piles.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Bulge on one side could be due to piles.
Consult your doctor regularly and take appropriate treatment.
If you are a Non vegetarian,avoid Chicken, Mutton.
Nothing to worry
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (35 hours later)

Hi, I really appreciate your answers. One last question. Sometimes my feces appears a really dark brown colour. is this just a result of the types of food ingented?

Answered by Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It could be due to ingested food only.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
The colour of the faecal matter could be due to ingested food only.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T