Show — Written By Amy McLean Updated on April 29, 2022 Black stool occurs for a number of reasons. In some cases, it may be a side effect of a medication or a result of the food you have consumed. However, it may also suggest that there is a bleed in your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This can be serious and should not be ignored. 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. It is important to always pay attention to stool that appears black and tarry, particularly if it persists. Read on to learn more about the possible causes of black stool and when to contact a doctor.
One of the main causes of black stool is a bleed in the upper GI tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Upper GI tract bleeds affect around 80–150 out of 100,000 people each year. Upper GI bleeds can occur as a result of:
A bleed from a tumor in the upper GI tract can signify cancer, including:
Other cancers, such as breast cancer and lung cancer, can spread to the stomach, which can also lead to bleeding in the upper GI tract. Peptic ulcer disease is the most prevalent cause of upper GI bleeds, accounting for up to 40–50% of cases. Although you should never ignore black or tarry feces, it does not always indicate cancer. Other causes of black stool include medication side effects and some foods. FoodCertain foods can cause your stool to have a dark or black appearance. These include:
It is also possible for Pepto-Bismol to cause your stool to appear black. This happens when the active ingredient, bismuth, comes into contact with sulfur in your saliva and digestive system. MedicationsSome medications can also result in black stool. One example is aspirin, which can contribute to bleeding in the upper GI tract. Taking aspirin combined with P2Y12 antiplatelet drugs makes this more likely. Anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as warfarin, can also contribute to the likelihood of having black feces. Ferrous fumarate and other medications for iron deficiencies may also result in black stool. Contact your doctor if you notice that your stool becomes black and sticky when taking iron. Learn more about bloody stool here. How do I treat black stool?The type of treatment required will depend on the cause of the black stool. This can include making changes to your diet, taking over-the-counter medications, and seeking medical intervention. Dietary changesIf black stool occurs due to consuming black or dark foods, reducing your intake of those foods can help prevent this. However, black feces that occurs as a result of eating dark foods is not usually a cause for concern. Iron supplements can also cause black stool. It is important to contact your doctor before changing or stopping any supplements you are taking, particularly if you take iron for an iron deficiency. Medical treatmentYou may require medical treatment to treat the root cause of black stool. This will depend on the condition but may involve:
Cancer treatmentIf your black stool is a symptom of a cancer of the upper GI tract, your surgeon may be able to surgically remove the tumor and affected areas. If the cancer has not spread, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy. If it is not possible to operate on the cancer, or if it has spread to other parts of your body, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy or chemotherapy. What symptoms do I need to look out for?You may experience symptoms alongside black and tarry stool that can help a doctor identify the underlying cause. If you have a bleed in the esophagus, you may experience:
Contact your doctor if you notice that your stool is black or tarry. They can arrange for tests to identify the underlying cause. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms alongside black and bloody stool:
How do doctors diagnose the cause of black stool?To help diagnose the cause of your black stool, your doctor will ask for information about when you first noticed it and how frequently it occurs. They may also arrange for tests to take a closer look at your upper GI tract. These tests can include:
If your doctor feels that your black stool may be due to cancer, they will arrange for tests to diagnose this. Tests for this purpose can include:
Although there is no “correct” stool color, a healthy bowel movement is typically brown. This brown color is due to the presence of bile and bilirubin, which occur when dead red blood cells naturally break down in the intestine. If your stool is any color other than brown, it may be due to something you have consumed or a result of a medical condition. The table below provides more information about stool colors and what they might mean. Contact your doctor if you notice blood in your stool or changes in your stool or bowel habits that persist. SummaryBlack stool may occur as a result of a bleed in the upper GI tract. This may be due to damage to the esophagus, stomach, or upper intestine. An upper GI bleed may indicate cancer, but this is not always the case. To diagnose the cause of your black feces, a doctor will carry out a procedure called upper endoscopy. They may also arrange for blood tests and an analysis of stool culture, as well as tests to detect the presence of cancer. Treatment will depend on the cause of the black stool, but it can include getting a blood transfusion, stitching the site of the bleed, or undergoing surgery to remove a tumor. Contact your doctor if you have persistent black stool, blood in your stool, or any other changes in your stool or bowel habits. When should you worry about black stool?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. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.
Is black stool life threatening?Is Black Stool Life Threatening? Yes, having black stools is a life-threatening condition, because it is caused due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Prolonged gastrointestinal bleeding might lead to hemorrhagic shock in the patient. It might be fatal.
What disease causes black poop?If you have bleeding in the upper GI tract -- the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum -- you could have black, tarry stools that are called melena. It could be a sign of esophageal and gastric cancers. Some other symptoms of esophageal cancer are: Problems with swallowing.
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