What do black tarry stools most likely indicate?
The color of the blood in the stools can indicate the source of bleeding. Black or tarry stools may be due to bleeding in the upper part of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, or the first part of the small intestine.
Are black tarry stools an emergency?
Black stool can be caused by a serious or life-threatening disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as a bleeding ulcer. It is important to contact your health care provider if you develop black stools, bloody stools, rectal bleeding, or a color change in your stools.
What infections cause black stool?
Stomach ulcers If an ulcer forms in a person’s stomach, this can cause bleeding which may make the stool black and tarry. NIDDK note that the long-term use of some drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can cause stomach ulcers. A bacterial infection can also be a cause.
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.
Is black stool life threatening?
In some cases, dark stool may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include: Bleeding disorders. Bleeding esophageal varices (life-threatening rupture and hemorrhage of swollen veins in the esophagus.
Can gastritis cause black stool?
Gastritis. Gastritis that is left untreated can lead to stomach ulcers and other complications. Some people have no symptoms, while acute, suddenly occurring cases of gastritis may only result in tarry, black stool.
When should I be concerned about black stool?
Stool that is black due to blood indicates a problem in the upper GI tract. Blood in the stool can be detected through a stool test. See your healthcare provider right away if you have black stool along with pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Can stomach virus cause black stool?
Gastritis Bacterial and viral infections, bile reflux, and bacteria called Helicobacter pylori are other common causes of gastritis. Symptoms of gastritis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and bloating, and black, tarry stool.
What does it mean to have “tarry” black stool?
Tarry stool is stool that is black or dark red in color. It is an indicator of injuries in your gastrointestinal tract or bleeding . There are several reasons as to why you have black stool. They include; One of the most obvious reasons why you have black or dark stool is because you probably ate black colored food.
Is black stool a bad sign?
Black stool is often a symptom associated with other gastrointestinal complaints and can potentially indicate a stomach related problem. Black stool often appears tarry, can have a foul smell and may show abdominal discomfort too.
What foods cause stools to be black?
The body may not completely digest some foods, which can result in black specks in the stool. Examples of foods that can cause black specks include: bananas. blueberries. cherries. figs. foods that use food coloring to darken them, such as chocolate puddings or licorice candies.
What happens when your stool is black?
Black stools can indicate bleeding or other injuries in your gastrointestinal tract. You may also have dark, discolored bowel movements after eating dark-colored foods.