Bowl movements

Dear Ask The Doctor: What can cause dark almost black stool

Dear Barbara:

Black stools can be caused by different factors, the most common and urgent is by a bleeding source in your GI tract, also some medications can cause coloring of your stools such as Iron pills. However when black stools are noted, studies to rule out bleeding in your GI tract might need to be done ASAP.

A black stool usually means that the blood is coming from the upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. Blood will typically look like tar after it has been exposed to the body's digestive juices. Stomach ulcers or inflammation caused by ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin are common causes of upper GI bleeding. I would suggest you to consult your primary care physician if you had more than one episode of black stools and if you feel tired. I wish you the best.