Black Stools: Causes & Reasons

Possible Causes for Black Stools

Blood in the stool or black, tarry, sticky-looking stools Slow bleeding is often more difficult to detect, because it has no dramatic symptoms. [emedicinehealth.com]

stools. [healthdirect.gov.au]

stool (due to bleeding) Vomiting Weight loss Severe pain in the mid- to upper abdomen Cleveland Clinic News & More Cleveland Clinic News & More [my.clevelandclinic.org]

Duodenal Ulcer

stools (melaena) Collapse and shock Investigation Ulcers may be diagnosed by a variety of means but the most accurate and useful is an OGD (Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy) [sussexsurgical.co.uk]

Gastrointestinal bleeding Passing of black stool (maelena) and/or vomiting blood (haematemesis). [medicalguidelines.msf.org]

Blood in the stool or black, tarry, sticky-looking stools Slow bleeding is often more difficult to detect, because it has no dramatic symptoms. [emedicinehealth.com]

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Tarry black stools indicate a bleeding source in the upper GI tract; bright red blood from the rectum usually indicates bleeding in the distal colon. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Although not all black stools represent melena, patients who report black stools are much more likely to have a UGIB source. [jamaevidence.mhmedical.com]

Examples of colors of stools and the causes include: Black, tarry, sticky stools: Gastritis (bleeding from the stomach) Black stools (no odor, not sticky): Medications like [emedicinehealth.com]

Erosive Gastritis

Call your provider if you develop: Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen that does not go away Black or tarry stools Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material [medlineplus.gov]

Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen If gastritis is causing bleeding from the lining of the stomach, symptoms may include: Black [medlineplus.gov]

stools Vomiting blood or coffee-ground like material Tests that may be needed are: Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia or low blood count Examination of the stomach [medlineplus.gov]

Alcoholic Gastritis

Call your provider if you develop: Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen that does not go away Black or tarry stools Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material [medlineplus.gov]

Symptoms include vomiting blood, black stool, decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate and massive hemorrhage. [livestrong.com]

Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen If gastritis is causing bleeding from the lining of the stomach, symptoms may include: Black [medlineplus.gov]

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Black stool, age less than 50 years, and blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio of 30 or greater independently predict an upper GI tract bleeding source. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Blood may be observed in vomit or in altered form as black stool. Depending on the amount of the blood loss, symptoms may include shock. [en.wikipedia.org]

Esophageal Varices

If there is only a small amount of bleeding, the only symptom may be dark or black streaks in the stools. [account.allinahealth.org]

Ballooning of blood vessels (veins) may cause vessels to rupture causing: vomiting of blood, tarry black stools. [quizlet.com]

A 58-year-old man with hepatitis B cirrhosis noticed black stools and underwent an endoscopy at a community hospital. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Peptic Ulcer

Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include sharp, sudden, persistent stomach pain, bloody or black stools, or bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds [labtestsonline.org.au]

Complications of Peptic Ulcers Bleeding can occur from ulcers causing black stool (the appearance of blood after undergoing digestion) or even vomiting of blood. [singhealth.com.sg]

[…] looks like coffee grounds), black stools or anemia. [web.archive.org]

Bleeding Peptic Ulcer

Black stool from blood is called maleana and from food supplements or foods like karo (atapa) is called false maleana. [monitor.co.ug]

stools. [healthdirect.gov.au]

stool (due to bleeding) Vomiting Weight loss Severe pain in the mid- to upper abdomen Cleveland Clinic News & More Cleveland Clinic News & More [my.clevelandclinic.org]

Corrosive Gastritis

Call your provider if you develop: Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen that does not go away Black or tarry stools Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material [medlineplus.gov]

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms such as severe abdominal pain; bloody or black, tarry stools; or bloody or black vomit. [healthgrades.com]

Erosive gastritis – which causes ulcers or erosions in the stomach lining – can result in black, tarry stools, blood in the stools or blood in vomit. [eatingdisorders.com]

Acute Gastritis

Call your provider if you develop: Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen that does not go away Black or tarry stools Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material [nlm.nih.gov]

Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Pain in the upper part of the belly or abdomen If gastritis is causing bleeding from the lining of the stomach, symptoms may include: Black [nlm.nih.gov]

stools Vomiting blood or coffee-ground like material Tests that may be needed are: Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia or low blood count Examination of the stomach [nlm.nih.gov]

Small Intestinal Angiodysplasia

Black, tarry stools ( melena ) and occasional episodes of bright red blood rectal bleeding ( hematochezia ) may be the only obvious signs of angiodysplasia. [healthhype.com]

Signs of bleeding in the upper digestive tract include Bright red blood in vomit Vomit that looks like coffee grounds Black or tarry stool Dark blood mixed with stool Signs [icdlist.com]

Signs and symptoms [ edit ] Although some cases present with black, tarry stool ( melena ), the blood loss can be subtle, with the anemia symptoms predominating. [en.wikipedia.org]

Esophageal Ulcer

If you are experiencing stomach pain that is worsened or relieved with food, or black tarry stools, you should be evaluated by your primary care physician (family doctor or [zocdoc.com]

stools (signs of gastrointestinal bleeding) ( 1, 2) Although a hiatal hernia can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), not all people with a hiatal hernia develop [everydayhealth.com]

Severe blood loss may cause black or bloody vomit or black or bloody stools. Infection. [mayoclinic.org]

Colonic Angiodysplasia

Black, tarry stools ( melena ) and occasional episodes of bright red blood rectal bleeding ( hematochezia ) may be the only obvious signs of angiodysplasia. [healthhype.com]

Signs of bleeding in the upper digestive tract include Bright red blood in vomit Vomit that looks like coffee grounds Black or tarry stool Dark blood mixed with stool Signs [icdlist.com]

Although bleeding through rectum and black tarry stool may be present in some patients, often the blood loss is subtle and the most profound symptom is anemia. [tandurust.com]

Portal Hypertension

stools Splenomegaly, or an enlarged spleen May have decreased platelets and left abdominal pain or fullness as a result Because portal hypertension is commonly caused by [radiology.ucla.edu]

The main symptoms and complications of portal hypertension include: Gastrointestinal bleeding: Black, tarry stools or blood in the stools; or vomiting of blood due to the [my.clevelandclinic.org]

[…] pressure reaches high levels and causes complications such as: Ascites (fluid in the abdomen) Hepatic encephalopathy (confusion) Variceal bleeding Vomiting of blood Bloody or black [radiology.ucla.edu]

Toxic Gastritis

Common symptoms include: loss of appetite indigestion black stools nausea vomiting bloody vomit that looks like used coffee grounds pain in the upper part of the abdomen a [healthline.com]

[…] tarry stools [2]. [homeremediesfor.com]

The patient underwent with post-vomiting bronchoaspiration and black stools; for this reason, the patient is intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. [actagastro.org]

Ingestion of Bismuth

stool Common (1% to 10%): Black tongue Frequency not reported : Nausea, vomiting [ Ref ] References 1. [drugs.com]

The common side effects of bismuth intake are abdominal pain, black stools, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, and black-colored tongue. [5] [neurologyindia.com]

It can, however, cause a black tongue and black stools in some users of the drugs. [newworldencyclopedia.org]

Meckel Diverticulum

A 12-year-old boy presented with bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain in association with a long-standing history of black stools and progressive pallor. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 12-year-old boy presented with bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain in association with a long-standing history of black stools and [doi.org]

A 26-year-old male with episodic black colored stool since last 10 years. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome

Symptoms A person with this condition will vomit blood or pass black, sticky stools after periods of vomiting, retching or coughing. [cedars-sinai.org]

These may include: abdominal pain vomiting up blood, which is called hematemesis involuntary retching bloody or black stools Blood in the vomit will usually be dark and clotted [healthline.com]

Mallory-Weiss syndrome usually presents with vomiting of blood, which can be accompanied by abdominal pain and black stools. [symptoma.com]

Cushing Ulcer

Emergency Symptoms A person who has any of the following symptoms should call a doctor right away: sharp, sudden, persistent, and severe stomach pain bloody or black stools [nsgmed.com]

(altered blood in the stool) black tarry stools Haematemesis (ground coffee coloured vomitus) Vomiting of food which was consumed two to three days earlier in pyloric stenosis [examnnotes.com]

Upon further questioning, the family reported 3 months of occasional coffee-ground emesis and melena prior to admission. [tp.amegroups.com]

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Some commons signs of HHT include recurring/frequent nosebleeds, telangiectases that appear on the skin’s surface in your 30s and 40s, black stools, back pain and loss of [my.clevelandclinic.org]

Symptoms of this syndrome include: Frequent nosebleeds in children Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract (GI), including loss of blood in the stool, or dark or black stools [nlm.nih.gov]

A person with abnormal GI tract blood vessels should watch for black stools and chronic anaemia that can cause fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, chest pain or light-headedness [cirse.org]

Malignant Neoplasm of the Stomach

Gastric cancer symptoms may include a loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, stomach discomfort, heartburn, black stool, vomiting, unintentional weight loss, feeling full [columbiasurgery.org]

[…] tarry stool Spreading cancer may cause symptoms such as: Jaundice (yellow-colored skin and a yellow color to the white parts of your eyes) Fluid build-up and swelling in [msdmanuals.com]

[…] pain Fullness after a small meal Later symptoms may include: Weight loss or weakness Anemia (low number of red blood cells) Light-headedness Throwing up blood or passing black [msdmanuals.com]

Gastric Varices

The symptoms can include vomiting blood, melena (passing black, tarry stools); or passing maroon stools or frank blood in the stools. [en.wikipedia.org]

Symptoms of bleeding varices include: Vomiting of blood Black, tarry, or bloody stool Low blood pressure Rapid heart rate Shock (in severe cases) How Are Bleeding Varices [medicinenet.com]

A black tarry stool on the gloved finger suggests an upper gastrointestinal source, and further workup needs to be pursued. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]

Bismuth Subsalicylate

[…] gastric ulcer) Effectiveness Moderate (for irritable bowel syndrome) Effectiveness Moderate (for nausea) Effectiveness Slight (for gastric ulcer pain) Side effects Moderate (black [patientslikeme.com]

Adverse effects Black tongue, black stool, salicylism (i.e., contraindicated in children, given the risk of Reye syndrome). [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

You have an ulcer, bleeding problem, or bloody or black stool. Stop use and ask a doctor if: Your symptoms get worse. [knowyourotcs.org]

Diverticulitis of the Colon

One complication can also be bleeding from blood vessels in the diverticula, which can cause a gush of blood from the rectum or black stools. [atlantagastro.com]

Slower diverticular bleeds however may result in black stools. Hemorrhoids can also cause brisk bleeding though the source of the bleeding is usually obvious. [njsurgery.com]

Diverticulitis Symptoms Rectal Bleeding Blood in the stool can be bright red, maroon in color, black and tarry, or not visible to the naked eye. [medicinenet.com]

Acid Ingestion

Speak to your healthcare professional if you experience: 01 Frequent vomiting 02 Blood in vomit 03 Weight loss or loss of appetite 04 Black stools 05 Difficult or painful [rolaids.com]

stools Belching, gassiness, burping and flatulence after meals Hiccups that are difficult to stop Difficulty swallowing (a possible sign of narrowing esophagus) Unexpected [draxe.com]

Weight loss you can’t explain Loss of appetite Stools that are bloody, black, or tarry Severe pain in your upper-right belly Pain in the upper- or lower-right parts of your [webmd.com]

Cecal Adenocarcinoma

Dark, tarry stools (melena): When bleeding occurs in the cecum and ascending colon, it usually causes black stools that can appear tar-like, rather than the bright red blood [verywellhealth.com]

Case Presentation A 58 year old man presented with complaints of pain in the abdomen and black colored stools over the last six months. [article.sapub.org]

Acute Iron Poisoning

The patient underwent with post-vomiting bronchoaspiration and black stools; for this reason, the patient is intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. [actagastro.org]

The disintegration of iron supplements results in a black coloration of the vomit and stools. [emsworld.com]

The patient should be warned that the drugs cause stools to turn dark green or black. Overdosage may cause severe systemic reactions. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Gastric Adenocarcinoma

stools that contain blood fatigue loss of appetite weight loss Causes Cancer starts when the structure of DNA changes. [medicalnewstoday.com]

Stomach cancers may also bleed, resulting in the vomiting of blood or the appearance of black, tarry stools (melena). [cancersupportivecare.com]

[…] becomes more advanced, the following signs and symptoms typically become more apparent: a buildup of fluid in the stomach, which may cause the stomach to feel "lumpy" anemia black [medicalnewstoday.com]

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Case 4 A 48 years old male presented with passage of black stool. Upper GI endoscopy showed 4-5 cm polypoidal ulcerated growth with in greater curvature of the stomach. [omicsonline.org]

stools that contain blood fatigue loss of appetite weight loss Causes Cancer starts when the structure of DNA changes. [medicalnewstoday.com]

Bleeding into the intestinal tract may cause black and tarry stools, and bleeding into the throat or stomach may cause vomiting of blood. [ghr.nlm.nih.gov]