What does black stool indicate in adults?
Table of Contents
What does black stool indicate in adults?
Black or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the stomach, small intestine, or right side of the colon. The term melena is used to describe this finding.
What are black stools caused from?
Black stool may be from dark foods and drinks (beets and dark beer), supplements like iron, or a sign of bleeding in the upper GI tract. If stool is black and has a bad odor, it is likely a sign of bleeding, from a peptic ulcer, gastritis, inflammation, colon polyps, or colon cancer.
How do you fix black stool?
What are the treatment options for black stools?
- proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce the amount of acid in your stomach so the ulcers can heal.
- H2 receptor antagonists, which also reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.
- over-the-counter antacids.
- reduced use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Can stomach virus cause black stool?
Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, such as in the stomach or intestines, can make the stool appear black. The higher up in the digestive system the bleeding occurs, the darker the blood tends to be. A person should see their doctor if they experience the following symptoms: black, tarry stools.
Can bacterial infection cause black stool?
Dark stool can also be caused by conditions of the digestive tract including: Anal fissure (tear or crack in anal tissue) Atrophic gastritis (inflammation and thinning of the stomach lining) Bacterial, parasitic or viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
Can dehydration make your poop black?
Dark brown stool can be caused by dehydration, constipation, IBS, or simply from eating dark-colored foods or iron-rich foods or supplements.
Will black stool go away?
If a person’s stool is black because of what they have eaten, the color will eventually change with the diet. However, there is no reason for people to avoid foods that have this effect if they are not experiencing any other symptoms.
Can stress cause black stool?
Anxiety and stress can cause gastritis and bleeding from stomach, which can cause black stool.
How can I cure my black stool?
Can dehydration cause black poop?
Why is my poop so dark today?
