What Causes Black Stools?

Posted on Wed, 10 May 2017

Question: I drank two large fruit punch each day over the last 3 days but today I have black stools that stick to the back of the toilet , this has happened 4 times today. I'm a 61 yr. old male that has had two blood clots over the last 3 yrs. and now am on 20mg Xarelto a day for the rest of my life, but the other symptoms are extreme exhaustion and some nausea. I have also been recently (last Nov.) been diagnosed. w/ heriditary hemochromatosis and am doin phlebotomist every month. Should I be worried about internal bleeding or is this just the fruit punch? I'm kinda worried about going to bed without getting this checked out because of the exhaustion. I also have type two diabetes and sleep apnea bu I use a cpap machine. My blood pressure has recently been consistent around 122/77. But my weight is 290 lbs. 6' 3". Email YYYY@YYYY . I don't know if these are the actual black "tarry" stools, but they do look black and some of it does stick to the back of the toilet boil and won't go down with several flushings.

Answered by Dr. Sunil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Stool fior occult blood test to be done to see if its blood or not.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for choosing this forum for your query.

Firstly go for a test called stool routine and microscopy to confirm if its blood or not.
There are many causes ranging from harmless illness to life threatening disease conditions which can cause bleeding with stools. Usually the blood will be bright red if the bleeding is from the site closer to the anus or if it flows freely and rapidly from the small intestine; if the blood remains in the gut for a longer time without getting passed in stools then the bacteria break down the blood cells and cause the black color so is the reason the stools are black in color sometimes.
You have not specified the color of your stool in details hence would suggest you common causes for both upper and lower bleeds.

Common Causes not related to any specific disease.

Smoking, Regular alcohol intake, chewing of betel leaves or tobacco.
Eating of spicy food and oily food.
Stress, strenuous exercise can sometimes cause.
Intake of any medicines or Drugs.

Anal Lesions:
Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Inflammatory bowel disease, Gastroenteritis(upper gi usually)
Diverticulitis
Fissure in ano
Piles or hemorrhoids
Rectal injury

So they are the most common causes as you have not mentioned any history of yours kindly go through common causes first.If that's not your case then investigation of anal canal should be done by proctoscope to rule out fissure,Hemorrhoid etc. an ultra sound abdomen should be done initially to rule out chances of inflammatory bowel disease.

Do you strain a lot while passing stools?
Are you constipated?Or do you ever feel constipated while passing stools?
Whats your diet schedule?
Hope i answered your query well please do answer the questions.

Waiting.

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

Follow up: Dr. Sunil (41 minutes later)

The water and stuff on the back of the toilet bowl is black. I don't strain, it comes out easy when I need to go. Besides Tropicana Fruit Punch I have been eating grilled chicken sandwiches, salads w/ honey mustard dressing, etc. Cereal for breakfast, or sausage egg, and cheese biscuit. Still very exhausted.

I had a colonoscopy within the last 3 months and everything was fine.

Answered by Dr. Sunil (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Best way is to get a stoolfor occult blood done.
Many times color of stool depends on type of food you eat.So guessing makes no sense instead we shouldnaje it clear whetherits blood or not.
Follow up with report.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana