What Causes Black Stool? Key Health Insights

Passing black stool can be alarming, but what causes black stool? In this post, you’ll learn what causes black stool, when it might signal a more serious health issue, and how to talk to your doctor about it. You’ll learn that black stool can range from harmless to a sign of a medical condition, and it’s important to know the difference.

If you’re experiencing discomfort or other symptoms, seeking urgent care for stomach and abdominal pain can provide fast relief and ensure timely medical attention.

Understanding Stool Color: What’s Normal and What’s Not

Let’s be honest—we’ve all probably noticed changes in stool color at some point and wondered what’s going on. Ideally, stool is a shade of brown, which results from the breakdown of red blood cells during digestion.

Changes in stool color can happen for various reasons. While black stool is often associated with gastrointestinal bleeding, other colors can also signal digestive issues. For example, green stool may result from the consumption of green foods or rapid transit through the intestines

If you notice persistent changes in stool color, NextCare Urgent Care can assist in assessing the root cause. Our medical professionals can perform necessary diagnostic tests.

Common Culprits of Black Stool

In many instances, a simple and harmless explanation for black stool exists. Here’s what could be causing those dark hues:

• Iron Supplements: If you’re taking iron supplements, particularly for anemia or during pregnancy, don’t be surprised to see your stool darken. Iron is notorious for turning stool black, and this is generally no cause for alarm.
• Certain Medications: Medications like Pepto-Bismol, containing bismuth subsalicylate, can also cause a temporary blackening of your stool. Again, this is usually harmless and resolves once you stop taking the medicine. If it persists, however, consult with your healthcare provider.
• Your Diet: Have you recently indulged in black licorice, blueberries, or even blood sausage? These foods can be sneaky culprits behind black stool. Beets and foods with red food coloring can have a similar effect. As long as the color change is temporary and not accompanied by other symptoms, you likely have nothing to worry about.

When to Worry About Black Stool

Black stool can be a sign of a more serious problem if accompanied by additional symptoms or a change in stool consistency.

Gastrointestinal bleeding, or bleeding in your digestive tract, can turn your stool black and tarry. This condition is known as melena. If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or pain in your chest along with black, tarry stool, seek medical attention.

Here are some potential causes:

Peptic Ulcers

The most common cause of black, tarry stool, peptic ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Stomach ulcers are typically caused by one of two factors: the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) or the prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

Treatment often involves eliminating these pain relievers. Your doctor might also prescribe medication to combat the infection. The use of these medications is often associated with gastroesophageal reflux, so you’ll want to discuss that with your doctor as well.

Esophageal Varices

Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the esophagus. While often symptomless, signs and symptoms may include vomiting large amounts of blood, black or tarry stools, and in severe cases, shock. Intense coughing is another sign to watch out for.

These often develop as a result of liver issues, which also deserve your doctor’s attention. If left untreated, they can lead to internal bleeding and other complications.

Other Potential Causes of Black Stool

While ulcers and esophageal varices are the most prevalent, this is not an exhaustive list of what causes black stool, especially when the color is concerning:

Recognizing When to Seek Urgent Care

Recognizing the signs of a more serious condition is important when determining what causes black stool, particularly if you experience any of the following:

• Black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools.
• Abdominal pain or cramping.
• Blood in vomit (may resemble coffee grounds).
• Dizziness, weakness, or lightheadedness.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Shortness of breath.
• Unintended weight loss.
• Persistent changes in bowel habits.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms alongside black stool, NextCare Urgent Care can offer immediate medical evaluation, helping to identify the cause and ensure you receive the appropriate treatment.

Diagnosing and Treating Black Stools

To determine the cause of your black stools, your doctor will take your medical history and conduct a physical exam. To rule out bleeding, they’ll likely perform a fecal occult blood test, which detects hidden blood in your stool.

Further tests your healthcare provider may run to figure out what causes black stool might include:

• Blood Tests.
• Imaging tests, including X-rays or CT scans.
• Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, like an upper endoscopy (EGD).
• Colonoscopy.

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter antacids, prescription medications such as proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid, or in severe cases, surgery. Be sure to discuss your diet with your doctor, as certain foods turn your stool black.

Conclusion

Figuring out what causes black stool involves careful consideration of several factors. While dietary choices and some medications are often harmless and temporary culprits, black, tarry stool, especially when combined with other symptoms, can indicate a more serious issue like bleeding in the digestive tract. It’s important to be aware of changes in your bowel habits and to communicate any concerns with your healthcare provider promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to ensuring your digestive health.

FAQs

Can black stools be harmless?

Yes, sometimes. Black stool can be completely harmless if it results from things like consuming black licorice, blueberries, beets, or taking iron supplements. These substances can temporarily color your stool black. But if your black stool is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s best to check in with a healthcare provider to rule out anything serious.

What does black stool indicate?

Black stool can have benign explanations, such as iron supplements or certain foods. However, black, tarry stool accompanied by a strong, foul odor (melena) typically signifies bleeding in the upper digestive tract. This bleeding could be due to a variety of reasons, including peptic ulcers, gastritis, or esophageal issues, among others.

How is black stool different from hematochezia?

Black stool indicates bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract, where the blood is digested, causing the dark color. Hematochezia, on the other hand, refers to bright red blood in the stool, usually signaling bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract, such as the colon or rectum. Both symptoms require medical evaluation.

What causes black stool and bloating?

Black stool with bloating could signal a few different digestive issues, and a trip to your healthcare provider is a good idea to get a proper diagnosis. Peptic ulcers, gastritis, or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are a few possibilities, each with varying levels of severity. They can also determine if any medications you might be taking could be the culprit.

Can medications cause black stool?

Yes, certain medications like NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) and blood thinners can irritate the stomach lining or increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, which may result in black stool. If you’re taking these medications and notice changes in your stool color, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.

Does black stool mean liver problems?

Black stool can sometimes indicate liver problems, especially if it is tarry and accompanied by other symptoms like jaundice or abdominal pain. However, it can also be caused by other factors such as certain medications or foods.

How long can black stools last?

Black stools can last for a few days, especially if caused by dietary changes or medications like iron supplements. If black stools persist for more than two days or are accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to consult a doctor.

What deficiency causes dark stool?

Iron deficiency can lead to the use of iron supplements, which may cause dark or black stools. However, the dark color itself is not directly caused by the deficiency but by the supplements taken to treat it.