What causes your stool to be black?

Question:

Answers:
Black stool is called melena. Melena is caused by the digestion of blood in the stomach. (Blood interacts with stomach acid to turn black.) If your stool is black, it means that you likely have a bleeding ulcer (which is very serious) or maybe even a more serious problem. See your physician immediately and be prepared for blood work, x-rays, a barium series and possibly endoscopy to look at your stomach directly. Don't delay-- people can actually 'burn' a hole in their stomach from an ulcer-- and die from this!!

Other Answers:
too much iron in your body

could be blood

usually iron. pepto bismol (pink bismuth) can do it too.

it is caused by blood. See you doctor

taking pepto bismol,eating iron ritch foods,or for some,drinking too mutch.

something you are eating or taking has a high level of iron

dry blood in you stool

iron

Most probable reason is being constipated. If you are not consitpated andyet stool is black, then internal bleeding could be the cause.

blood

or too much iron, which is usually in the blood

Many times it is blood that causes the stool to be black. Check with your doctor
Source(s):
I'm a medical assistant.

iron supplements or bleeding in the lower intestines

Can be caused by several things. Most severe is blood in stool. Look for blood bleeding out dfrom stool and on toilet paper. Can be caused from certain foods, like lots of leafy green vegetables. Iron supplements can cause it too. If you have any pain in abdomen or rectal area see doctor asap. If you have no explanation, pick up a kit from your pharmacist to take a stool sample and mail it to the lab to detect blood; or go to doctor who will due same thing, as well as a rectal exam. btw, some medications can cause it too.
Source(s):
23yr veteran police officer/ trainer EMT trained

too many oreos

Blood in your stool probably. Check with a doc, can be an internal bleeding of some sort. Take care of it soon.

that mean's you need more fiber in your diet
And more branflakes to, eat lots of green's too.
and you wont have a black stool anymore. it worked for me.

More Questions and Answers

The consumer health information on youqa.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.

What causes your stool to be black?

Health Resources