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What Causes Black Diarrhea?
Question: I had bubbly diarrhea, after 1-2 days of only consuming soup and water, I had some over the counter diarrhea medicine, and now it has stopped bubbling, but is now black. How serious is this?
Brief Answer:
it could be blood
Detailed Answer:
First of all it depends which over the counter medication you took. Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) is often used to treat diarrhea, however it will turn your stools black.
Blood can also make the stools black. sometimes a bad colitis (inflammation of the colon) can make you to bleed from the colon, and therefore your stools can have either bright red blood or just black stools. Black stools can also mean you have bleeding from the upper part of the intestines (stomach, small bowel), but it would be less likely in your case if your main symptom is diarrhea.
So if you took Bismuth subsalicylate, i would suggest you stopping that medication and taking instead loperamide (also over the counter). if your stools remains black, seek medical attention to make sure you are not anemic or in need of a blood transfusion in case you were bleeding.
hope that helped
it could be blood
Detailed Answer:
First of all it depends which over the counter medication you took. Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) is often used to treat diarrhea, however it will turn your stools black.
Blood can also make the stools black. sometimes a bad colitis (inflammation of the colon) can make you to bleed from the colon, and therefore your stools can have either bright red blood or just black stools. Black stools can also mean you have bleeding from the upper part of the intestines (stomach, small bowel), but it would be less likely in your case if your main symptom is diarrhea.
So if you took Bismuth subsalicylate, i would suggest you stopping that medication and taking instead loperamide (also over the counter). if your stools remains black, seek medical attention to make sure you are not anemic or in need of a blood transfusion in case you were bleeding.
hope that helped
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I took Kaopectate (a bismuth subsalicylate), so I should take loperamide, and see if that solves the problem?
Brief Answer:
yes
Detailed Answer:
yes, stop Kaopectate, and take loperamide over the counter. Stools may remain dark for a day or two, but if it remains black seek medical attention. Also seek medical care if you feel lightheaded, pale, weak, heart beating fast (which could mean you are anemic)
yes
Detailed Answer:
yes, stop Kaopectate, and take loperamide over the counter. Stools may remain dark for a day or two, but if it remains black seek medical attention. Also seek medical care if you feel lightheaded, pale, weak, heart beating fast (which could mean you are anemic)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, should I stick to certain foods
Brief Answer:
avoid:
Detailed Answer:
just avoid anything fried or fatty. nothing heavy on sugars.
Hope you get better soon.
avoid:
Detailed Answer:
just avoid anything fried or fatty. nothing heavy on sugars.
Hope you get better soon.
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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