This makes it a bit more difficult to tell if there is red blood in or on the stool. Bright red blood in or on the stool is typically blood from the lower GI tract, such as the rectum or the colon. 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. If the black stool appears tarry, or you also have other symptoms such as fainting or near-fainting, dizziness, pain, or vomiting, contact a healthcare provider immediately, as it could be a medical emergency.
Some people are more likely to develop bleeding in the GI tract. Talk to your doctor about the i any of these risk factors apply to you:. Common reasons you may have dark bowel movements include eating dark foods, taking certain types of supplements or medications, especially iron, consuming lead, or having blood in your stool. There are a number of reasons why you might have blood in feces. You should see a doctor for a full examination to find the exact cause. Seeing the black color is not enough to determine whether or not there's blood in your stool.
Remember, it could be caused by food or iron supplements. A healthcare provider needs to confirm if there's blood. That requires several types of tests. Your doctor will have you collect a small stool sample at home using a special kit. The sample is then sent to a lab for evaluation.
If you're diagnosed with melena, doctors may order further diagnostic tests to determine the cause and the exact location of the bleeding. Specifically, your doctor may conduct an esophagogastroduodenoscopy EGD, or upper endoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera down your throat so that your healthcare provider can inspect the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine.
Stool that is visibly black and tarry typically indicates the presence of an acute condition in the upper GI tract. 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, esophageal varices enlarged veins , or a tear in the esophagus from violent vomiting Mallory-Weiss tear. 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, stomach ulcers are usually caused by an infection with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori H. Long-term use of pain medications , known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , are another cause of stomach ulcers. NSAIDs include common over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin.
NSAIDs can irritate the stomach by weakening the lining's ability to resist acid made in the stomach. For this same reason, NSAIDs have an adverse effect on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis —conditions that cause ulcers and inflammation of the GI tract. Gastritis is 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. 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.
Persistent bleeding can lead to more severe symptoms like:. Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the wall of the lower esophagus or upper stomach. When these veins rupture, they may cause bleeding and lead to blood in the stool or in vomit. Esophageal varices are serious complications resulting from high blood pressure brought on by cirrhosis of the liver.
Most people with esophageal varices experience no symptoms unless the veins rupture. Symptoms of bleeding esophageal varices include:. Mallory-Weiss tear is a tear in the mucous membrane that joins the esophagus and the stomach. If this tear bleeds, it can result in melena. 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.
Chaptini L, Peikin S. Gastrointestinal bleeding. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Meguerdichian DA, Goralnick E. S leisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease.
Updated by: Michael M. Editorial team. Colon polyps can cause blood in the stool, giving it a black, tarry appearance. These polyps are small growths that form in the large intestine. They are not necessarily cancerous, but they can become cancerous over time. NIDDK report that these problems can include esophageal varices and gastroesophageal reflux. Liver issues can cause esophageal varices, which are enlarged veins in the esophagus.
Treatment will focus on stopping the bleeding and resolving the underlying condition that is causing the esophageal varices. If a person experiences gastroesophageal reflux frequently, they may have gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD. The key causes are complications from certain medications, smoking, or increased pressure in the abdomen. This pressure can result, for example, from being overweight or pregnant. A person can often manage GERD by avoiding certain foods and not overeating.
A doctor may also prescribe medications. 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.
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. Laxatives, good nutrition, and drinking a lot of fluids can all help with constipation. Black stool can have a lot of causes. They can be uninteresting iron supplementation, various foods, even alcohol or more dangerous bleeding.
The biggest consideration is your health status and underlying conditions.
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