Certain medications can also lead to black-colored stools. Iron supplements and bismuth-based medications, for example, can darken your stools. Sometimes, serious blood and circulation abnormalities in your digestive system can cause black, tarry stools.
Which foods can cause dark stool?
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- Junk Foods. Eating a lot of junk food results in a change int eh colour of the poop. ...
- Blueberries. A lot of studies have shown eating lots of blueberries can darken the stool. ...
- Dark Vegetables. ...
- Caffeine. ...
- Sugary Drinks. ...
- Beef. ...
- Kidney Beans. ...
- Prunes. ...
What foods turn stool dark?
- Beets. Notice red poop after eating beets? ...
- Green Veggies. If you like to load up on greens like spinach, broccoli and lettuce, your poop may reflect that. ...
- Blueberries. Blueberries can cause your poop to have a blue or black tinge. ...
- Food Coloring. In 2017, Oreo and Peeps teamed up to make Peeps Oreos, a novelty snack with a bright pink filling. ...
- Medications. ...
What foods cause black stools?
What foods cause dark stools? Dark stool may be caused by foods or medications including: Beets. Black licorice. Blueberries. Iron supplements. Medications containing bismuth subsalicylate (for example, Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol) Can stress cause black stool? Damage to your stomach lining can happen for a variety of reasons, including stress ...
What causes dark stool after taking antibiotics?
What Are the Causes of Black Stool?
- Food and Supplements. Black stools could be caused by food, supplements, medication, or minerals. ...
- Blood in the Stool (Melena) Blood that comes from the upper GI tract—such as the esophagus or the stomach—may turn the stool black.
- Diagnosis. ...
- Causes of Blood in Stool. ...
- Treatment. ...
- Summary. ...
- A Word From Verywell. ...
What medications turn your stool black?
Considerations. Eating black licorice, blueberries, blood sausage or taking iron pills, activated charcoal, or medicines that contain bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol), can also cause black stools.
Can medication make your stool dark?
Medicines containing bismuth subsalicylate — like Pepto-Bismol — can turn your stools black.
What medications cause stool color changes?
The most common medications that change the color of stool are the drugs that turn the stool black and include iron and bismuth (contained in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate).
Why is my poop dark brown almost black?
Dark brown stool can be caused by dehydration, constipation, IBS, or simply from eating dark-colored foods or iron-rich foods or supplements.
When should you worry about black stool?
People who have had black specks in their stool for more than a day or two should see a doctor if they are not taking medication that turns the stool black. Similarly, they should see a doctor if they cannot explain the color by any foods they have recently eaten.
When should I be concerned about black stool?
Consult your doctor if you're concerned about your stool color. If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea.
What does very dark poop mean?
A poop color that is almost black, dark, or tar-like with a thick consistency may mean there is bleeding in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. 20 Medical conditions that can cause dark, tar-like stool include duodenal or gastric ulcers, esophageal varices, a Mallory-Weiss tear, and gastritis.
What color is your poop when you have liver problems?
If your liver doesn't make bile normally or if the flow from the liver is blocked, your poop will look pale like the color of clay. Pale poop often happens along with yellow skin (jaundice). The extra bilirubin that makes your skin look yellow also can make your pee unusually dark.
How can I tell if there's blood in my stool?
When you have blood in your stool it can look a few different ways. You may have bright red streaks of blood on your poop or you could see blood mixed in with it. Stool could also look very dark, almost black, and tarry. Sometimes, you can have blood in your stool that's not visible.
Do vitamins make your poop dark?
Iron supplements can help combat iron-deficiency anemia. They may also cause stools to be black or even greenish in color. Multivitamins that contain iron may have the same effect. Foods that are dark blue or black in color may also cause black stools.
What does black stool mean in elderly?
Black stool suggests bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Maroon-colored or bloody stool suggests bleeding lower in the GI tract. See your doctor if you experience bloody or tarry stool. They can check for the presence of ulcers, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and other GI conditions.
Can IBS cause black stool?
However, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is usually not associated with black stool, despite this chronic condition causing similar symptoms of an internal bleed—cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
What causes dark stools?
These include: Bleeding disorders. Bleeding esophageal varices (life-threatening rupture and hemorrhage of swollen veins in the esophagus. Colorectal cancer.
What are the symptoms of dark stool?
Dark stool may accompany other symptoms affecting the digestive tract including: Abdominal pain or cramping. Abdominal swelling, distension or bloating. Diarrhea.
Why is my stool red?
Red striping of the stool is often related to bleeding near the exit of the digestive tract and may be seen with hemorrhoids. Since dark stool can be related to digestive tract bleeding, if it cannot be explained by a specific food or medication, dark stool should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting.
What does it mean when your stool turns black?
Stool passed after eating these foods may be dark brown, bluish, reddish, or black. Iron supplements and medications containing bismuth subsalicylate, a common ingredient in anti-diarrhea medications, can also turn the stool dark or black. Dark stool not associated with specific foods or medications can be more worrisome and may be an indicator ...
What to do if stool is black?
Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for bloody stool or stool that is black or tarry in consistency that is accompanied by profuse sweating, changes in level of consciousness, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or chest pain.
Is dark stool a sign of a life threatening condition?
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition. In some cases, dark stool may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting.
What causes black stools?
Iron supplements, taken alone or as part of a multivitamin for iron-deficiency anemia, may cause black stools or even green stools. 1. Foods that are dark blue, black, or green may also cause black stools. Substances that are often found to cause black stools include: Black licorice. Blueberries.
Why is my stool black?
Causes. Black stool can be caused by eating certain foods, taking certain medications or supplements (like iron), or it can be the result of something more serious . Stool is also known as bowel movements, feces, or poop, and bodily waste left over after digestion.
Why does stool turn black after a syringe?
After the bleeding has stopped, stool may continue to appear black and tarry for several days. Possible causes of melena include a bleeding ulcer, gastritis, esop hageal varices (enlarged veins), or a tear in the esophagus from violent vomiting (Mallory-Weiss tear). 2.
What does it mean when your stool turns black?
Blood in the Stool (Melena) Blood that comes from the upper GI tract—such as the esophagus or the stomach—may turn the stool black. This is a condition called melena. If you have melena, you may also notice that your stool has a tarry texture or is similar to coffee grounds.
Why is my stool red?
This is a condition called hematochezia. Blood stemming from this region will be more red in appearance, because it will be exposed to less of the digestive process.
How to tell if you have blood in your stool?
Blood in the stool can be detected through a stool test. See your doctor right away if you have black stool along with pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you suspect there is blood in your stool, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
What is the inflammation of the stomach lining?
Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. This inflammation can be caused by too much alcohol, eating spicy foods, smoking, infection with bacteria, or by the prolonged use of NSAIDs. Gastritis can also develop after surgery or trauma, or it may be associated with already existing medical conditions. 5
What causes black stools?
Medications can indirectly cause almost black stools (melena) by inducing bleeding inside the stomach or intestine. Tow major mechanisms of bleeding: Inducing ulcers or injury to the lining of your intestine which in turn bleeds.
How to get rid of dark stool?
Check the iron content of your supplement. If you are not sure about the cause of very dark stool, try to withhold supplements for 3 to 5 days. And watch your stool color, if it reverts to normal, then it is due to the iron-containing supplement.
What is the smell of blood coming from the upper part of the stomach called?
Blood coming from the upper part of your gut (esophagus, stomach, or duodenum) is usually black (called melena). Melena is different from a very dark brown stool. It is tarry black. Usually with a characteristic offensive smell (rotten meat smell).
Why is my stool dark brown?
Very dark brown stools are often caused by dark foods, food pigments, or medications. However, almost black stool can be a sign of bleeding inside your gastrointestinal tract.
Why is my stool black?
Because it is less frequent compared to food and medications. Also, Bleeding into the upper part of your gut (eso phagus, stomach, and early part of small intestine) causes JET BLACK stool rather than a very dark brown stool. Minor and recurrent bleeds can cause black spots or speckles in the stool.
What is the best medicine for gastritis?
2- Bismus subsalicylates (Pepto-Bismol). Pepto-Bismol is a medication used to treat diarrhea and gastritis. No need to worry about very dark brown or black stool if you are taking Pepto-Bismol. The more the dose of Pepto-Bismol, the darker (almost black) your stool will get.
Can blood thinners cause peptic ulcers?
Preventing normal coagulating of blood (blood-thining medications) can cause bleeding inside your gut even without apparent injury. The most commonly used medications that can cause peptic ulcers and bleed into stool are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs).
Why is my stool black?
Black stool can be due to a variety of serious or life-threatening conditions that result in bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract including: Abdominal or esophageal trauma. Abnormal blood vessel.
What to do if your stool is dark?
Seek prompt medical care if you have unusually dark stools or any change in the color or texture of your stool. If your stools are black and tarry in texture, bloody, or if you have major rectal bleeding, seek immediate medical care (call 911).
What are the symptoms of black stool?
Symptoms that may accompany black stool include: Abdominal pain or cramping. Abdominal swelling or bloated feeling. Change in bowel habits.
What causes a swollen stomach?
Bowel ischemia (lack of normal blood flow to the intestines and death of intestinal tissue) Gastritis, such as irritation and swelling of the stomach caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Inflammatory bowel disease (includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) Radiation therapy.
Can you see blood in stool?
Very small amounts of blood in the stool may be seen by the naked eye and not significantly change the color of stool. This is called fecal occult blood, which can be a symptom of a serious disease and may be found with regular, routine medical testing.
Can black stool cause anemia?
You can best reduce the risk of complications of black stool and its underlying causes by following the treatment plan you and your health care provider design specifically for you. Failure to seek prompt diagnosis and treatment for black stool can result in life-threatening complications, such as: Anemia.
What is it called when your poop is dark?
An ulcer is an open sore on the inside of your stomach or small intestine. Sometimes these sores bleed. This can make your poop dark. Blood exposed to gastric acids turns black and tarry (sticky). This is called melena and is a sign of an upper gastrointestinal bleed.
Why is my poop black?
If you notice your poop is black or tarry, it might be due to something as simple as a change in your diet or a new medicine you're taking. Sometimes, though, it's a sign of a medical problem that you don't want to ignore. Even if you think you know why it's happening, always call your doctor if you have black, tarry stools.
What does it mean when you have a black tarry stool?
If you have bleeding in the upper GI tract -- the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum -- you could have black, tarry stools that are called melena. It could be a sign of esophageal and gastric cancers. Treatment for these cancers depends on the stage of the disease and how far it's spread.
What does it mean when you vomit black stuff?
Other symptoms you might get are: Bright red vomit or black stuff in your vomit that looks black like coffee grounds. Weakness. Dizziness or fainting.
How to treat cancer of the esophagus?
Treatment for these cancers depends on the stage of the disease and how far it's spread. Options can include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Mallory-Weiss Tear. Intense coughing or vomiting can tear the esophagus and make it bleed, a condition called a Mallory-Weiss tear.
What happens if you poop black?
Other side effects of iron supplements are: Stomachache. Nausea.
Does bismuth help with stomach pain?
Drugs for upset stomach like bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) contain bismuth to calm your belly. Bismuth can turn your tongue and poop black. This symptom is harmless. It should go away once you stop taking the medicine.
Why does stool color change?
Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition. Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile — a yellow-green fluid that digests fats — in your stool. As bile pigments travel through your gastrointestinal tract, they are chemically altered by enzymes, ...
Why is my stool red?
If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.
What does it mean when you have no bile in your stool?
A lack of bile in stool. This may indicate a bile duct obstruction. Certain medications, such as large doses of bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) and other anti-diarrheal drugs. Excess fat in the stool, such as due to a malabsorption disorder, for example, celiac disease.
Causes
Diagnosis
- If you're seeing black stools and can trace it back to a food you ate, that's OK. However, a doctor should be consulted immediately if black stools cannot be traced back to a food, an iron supplement, or Pepto-Bismol. The black color alone is not enough to determine that it is in fact blood that is being passed in the stool. Therefore, a doctor will need to confirm whether there ac…
Symptoms
- Blood that comes from higher up in the digestive tract, such as the esophagus or stomach, may turn stool black, which is called \"melena.\" As the blood passes through the body and interacts with enzymes in the digestive process, the blood changes from red to black. This makes it a bit more difficult to see in or on the stool than if there is red blood. Red blood in or on the stool, call…
Risks
- If the black stool is accompanied by other symptoms such as feeling faint or actually fainting, dizziness, pain, or vomiting, especially if there's blood in it or it looks like coffee grounds, contacting a doctor immediately is important because it could be a medical emergency. For some people, there may already be a known risk factor for bleeding in the digestive tract. Talk to a doc…
Overview
- Ulcer. An ulcer is a type of sore on the lining of the stomach that can cause bleeding and result in melena. Contrary to popular belief, stomach ulcers are not usually caused by stress or spicy food (although these can aggravate an already existing ulcer). In fact, they are typically caused by an infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Antibiotics are normally prescrib…
Signs and symptoms
- Esophageal Varices. Esophageal varices are dilated veins in the wall of the lower esophagus or upper stomach. When these veins rupture, they may cause bleeding, which can cause blood to appear in the stool or in vomit. Esophageal varices are a serious complication resulting from portal hypertension (high blood pressure) brought on by cirrhosis of the liver.
Clinical significance
- Mallory-Weiss Tear. This is a tear in the mucous membrane that joins the esophagus and the stomach. If this tear bleeds, it can result in melena. This condition is fairly rare (only occurring in four of 100,000 people) and may be caused by violent vomiting, coughing, or epileptic convulsions.