Blood Stools? An Alarming Sign

Black stools! An alarming sign.

Black stool is a condition in which the feces are very dark or black in color. Black stool may be normal in some cases and caused by ingesting certain substances or medications, such as iron supplements. However, black stool can also be caused by a serious condition, such as bleeding in the digestive tract caused by a peptic ulcer.

Black stool that is tarry in texture and foul smelling is often a symptom of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from the esophagus, stomach or small intestine. This is called melena.

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 examination. Black stools can be a symptom of a serious condition, such as esophageal varices or peptic ulcer. Seek prompt medical care if you have unusually dark stools or any change in the color or texture of your stool. Black stool may be accompanied by other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. 

Symptoms that may accompany black stool include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Abdominal swelling or bloated feeling
• Change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence, gas or indigestion
• Flu-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches and pains)
• Foul-smelling stool
• Nausea and vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Rectal pain or burning sensation
• Unexpected weight loss

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition:

In some cases, black stool can indicate a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency settings.

Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness

Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions

Dizziness: High fever (higher than 101 degrees fahrenheit)

Palpitations: Rapid heart rate (tachycardia). Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, or choking

Complications include: Anaemia, cardiomegaly, shock, generalised body edema.