Are black tarry stools a medical emergency?
Many of these conditions are serious and include a host of other gastrointestinal symptoms. If your stools have been black and tarry for a few days, and are accompanied by stomach aches and vomiting, you should seek medical help immediately.
Is black stools life threatening?
If your stool is black, this may be due to bleeding in the intestinal tract. Dark stool that contains blood from the upper GI tract is sometimes called melena. This can indicate a serious medical condition. Black feces can occur due to damage to the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.
When should I be concerned about black stool?
Consult your doctor if you’re concerned about your stool color. If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea.
Should I go to the hospital for black stool?
Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, such as in the stomach or intestines, can make the stool appear black. The higher up in the digestive system the bleeding occurs, the darker the blood tends to be. A person should see their doctor if they experience the following symptoms: black, tarry stools.
What does Black poop mean in adults?
Most cases of black stools are from eating black foods or iron supplements. 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.
What does tarry poop look like?
If bleeding occurs in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine, the stool may turn black and sticky, and be described medically as black, tarry stool (melena). Generally, the black, tarry stool also is foul-smelling.
What does black tarry stool indicate?
Black or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the stomach, small intestine, or right side of the colon. The term melena is used to describe this finding.
Can kidney problems cause black stool?
Intestinal bleeding or kidney problems are another possible reason for a black color.
Why is my poop black and sticky?
Blood exposed to gastric acids turns black and tarry (sticky). This is called melena and is a sign of an upper gastrointestinal bleed.
What does GI bleed poop look like?
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a symptom of a disorder in your digestive tract. The blood often appears in stool or vomit but isn’t always visible, though it may cause the stool to look black or tarry. The level of bleeding can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening.