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What Do Black Stools With Diarrhea Indicate?
Question: For last two days bowel movenets have been very black both in semi-formed stools ands very liquid bowel movements.
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Black stool, whether formed or soft, can be due to --(1) presence of blood in the stool.As blood passes from the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach or small intestines), it changes causing the stool to appear black or dark
Bleeding can occur most commonly in persons with a history of reflux , long term use of NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen , voltaren etc) or persons on anti clotting medication
(2) use of iron supplements
(3)use of medication such as peptobismol
If you have no history of using iron supplements or peptobismol then you should be assessed re the black stool
This would involve a history and physical examination at least
Blood tests such as complete blood count and stool analysis may also be required
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Black stool, whether formed or soft, can be due to --(1) presence of blood in the stool.As blood passes from the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach or small intestines), it changes causing the stool to appear black or dark
Bleeding can occur most commonly in persons with a history of reflux , long term use of NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen , voltaren etc) or persons on anti clotting medication
(2) use of iron supplements
(3)use of medication such as peptobismol
If you have no history of using iron supplements or peptobismol then you should be assessed re the black stool
This would involve a history and physical examination at least
Blood tests such as complete blood count and stool analysis may also be required
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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