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What Causes Black Stool In An Elderly Person?
Question: I am female, 71, and have been having black stools for about four days.
Brief Answer:
Upper endoscopy required
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Black stools are suggestive of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, unless confounded by some drugs like iron. Sometimes endoscopy doesn't show anything and the symptoms get controlled spontaneously. The cause in these cases remain obscure.
Bleedinglon is usually reddish and hence colonoscopy is not a recommended investigation for black stools.
Before proceeding to upper endoscopy, your doc may get stool testing done, to confirm blood loss there.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Upper endoscopy required
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Black stools are suggestive of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, unless confounded by some drugs like iron. Sometimes endoscopy doesn't show anything and the symptoms get controlled spontaneously. The cause in these cases remain obscure.
Bleedinglon is usually reddish and hence colonoscopy is not a recommended investigation for black stools.
Before proceeding to upper endoscopy, your doc may get stool testing done, to confirm blood loss there.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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