What do very dark stools mean

They may recommend that the person avoids certain foods. Also, the doctor may advise against taking specific medications and propose alternatives. The doctor will be able to advise on the best way to prevent further bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, based on the diagnosis, as well as any lifestyle changes that they think the person should adopt. For a person who has no other symptoms and who suspects that foods are to blame, there should be no cause for concern.

However, if a person notices blood in their stool or experiences any other symptoms, they should speak to a doctor, who can determine the cause. Black specks in stool can come from diet or something more serious, such as liver problems. Read about causes, symptoms, and when to see a doctor. Ulcers can occur in many places, including in the stomach.

These are called stomach or peptic ulcers. People can try home remedies to relieve the…. What to know about black stool. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. Share on Pinterest A range of conditions can cause black stool. Our intestines are very long. As blood travels down your intestine, from the upper to the lower portions, it is acted on by digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria. This turns it black and tarry.

Shria Kumar. A peptic ulcer , a sore in the lining of the stomach or the first part of your small intestine the duodenum , which can bleed and cause pain after meals or on an empty stomach.

The inflammation can be from an infection from the bacteria H pylori. Reducing stomach acid with a proton pump inhibitor like Nexium and Prilosec can help with healing. Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. The stomach has a layer of mucus to protect it from the strong acids that break down foods. If that mucus lining has tears or is not healthy, the stomach can become inflamed.

Damage to your stomach lining can happen for a variety of reasons, including stress, an autoimmune response, or an infection. Other causes include NSAIDs, smoking, or drinking alcohol or eating foods that irritate the lining of the stomach. Inflammation can cause small amounts of bleeding, which can turn your stool black. Treatment depends on the cause. If the gastritis is caused by smoking, stop smoking.

If the cause is an autoimmune response, you may need other medications and more follow-up. Colon polyps are small growths in the colon. Polyps begin as benign not cancerous growths, but can develop into cancer over time.

Usually, they do not have any symptoms, but sometimes, they can ooze small amounts of blood. A colonoscopy can find polyps before they become cancerous. When they are found during the procedure, the gastroenterologist will remove them.

This prevents them from turning into cancer. Some people are more likely to form colon polyps because of their genetics. Other factors that are associated with polyps and future colon cancer are being overweight, smoking, and eating a lot of red meat and processed foods. Colorectal cancers can be diagnosed at any age, but it usually affects people over Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and alcohol use can increase your risk for colorectal cancer.

Constipation is when you have infrequent bowel movements and stool is very hard and dry. The stool may appear darkish or black. When you try to have a bowel movement, you may strain, or your stool may look like hard pellets. You may feel abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating. Beets and foods with red coloring can sometimes make stools appear reddish.

In all these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood. Bleeding in the esophagus or stomach such as with peptic ulcer disease can also cause you to vomit blood.

Peptic ulcers are the most common cause of acute upper GI bleeding. Black and tarry stools may also occur due to:. In children, a small amount of blood in the stool is most often not serious. The most common cause is constipation. You should still tell your child's provider if you notice this problem. Your provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam.

The exam will focus on your abdomen. Severe cases of bleeding that cause excessive blood loss and a drop in blood pressure may require surgery or hospitalization. Stools - bloody; Melena; Stools - black or tarry; Upper gastrointestinal bleeding; Melenic stools. A few of these conditions include:. Many of these conditions are serious and include a host of other gastrointestinal symptoms. If your stools have been black and tarry for a few days, and are accompanied by stomach aches and vomiting, you should seek medical help immediately.

The esophagus is a tube that carries foods and liquids to the stomach. When veins inside the esophagus become swollen — a condition usually connected to cirrhosis or other advanced liver diseases — they can occasionally rupture and cause both red, bloody stools, or black, tarry stools. If your symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a hospital visit, your doctor will likely ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination to try to determine the cause of your unusual stool color.

Your doctor may also schedule a gastroscopy or colonoscopy to assess the condition of your gut. Your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube through your anus into the rectum with a camera on the end to see the inside of your colon and look for the cause of your symptoms. A gastroscopy is similar in nature to a colonoscopy but focuses on the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The thin tube is inserted through your throat, rather than the anus. The same goes for iron supplements and medicines containing bismuth subsalicylate: If you think your black stools may be connected to taking either of these, talk with your doctor about safe alternatives.

If your black stools are due to a condition that is causing upper GI bleeding, your treatment will vary depending on the severity of the condition.

Black stools can be caused by a variety of issues, from eating too much black licorice to bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract. The key to identifying how serious your condition is are the other symptoms that are present.