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What Causes Passing Of Black Stool While Treating A Hemorrhoid?
My 21 year old daughter has been having black stool for 1 week. She does have a hemorrhoid. One day this week she did have a stomach ache and had diarrhea. Otherwise her stool has been black, soft but formed. On Friday when she went to the bathroom she had a moderate amount of blood, not bright red. She went to the ER. They drew labs, occult test, but found nothing. Yesterday and today she feels constipated. She is at college in Cincinnati and I am her mom in Cleveland. I am not satisfied with the ER. Need to know next steps and how urgent. She feels completely fine, no pain, no tired.
Mon, 22 Apr 2019
Hello,
Black stools are likely due to an upper gastrointestinal problem since bleeding due to hemorrhoids would manifest as fresh blood.
In particular, stomach ulcers or erosions which bleed can cause abdominal pain, and since blood is an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract, it can then cause diarrhea.
On the other hand, the color of food can also affect the stool color, but would not cause the symptoms of pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
I suggest a consult with a gastroenterologist for proper diagnosis and management depending on her presenting symptoms and examination findings, as this will dictate whether she may only take medications or would require endoscopy.
But if she'd have persistent bleeding or black stools, which may cause anemia, I suggest an Emergency room consult and admission for observation. She might as well be referred to a gastroenterologist as an in-patient.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Daryl Derick B. Dizon, General & Family Physician
Black stools are likely due to an upper gastrointestinal problem since bleeding due to hemorrhoids would manifest as fresh blood.
In particular, stomach ulcers or erosions which bleed can cause abdominal pain, and since blood is an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract, it can then cause diarrhea.
On the other hand, the color of food can also affect the stool color, but would not cause the symptoms of pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
I suggest a consult with a gastroenterologist for proper diagnosis and management depending on her presenting symptoms and examination findings, as this will dictate whether she may only take medications or would require endoscopy.
But if she'd have persistent bleeding or black stools, which may cause anemia, I suggest an Emergency room consult and admission for observation. She might as well be referred to a gastroenterologist as an in-patient.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Daryl Derick B. Dizon, General & Family Physician
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