Dark stools usually appear when there is digested blood in the composition of the stool and can therefore be an important sign of bleeding in the early part of the digestive system, especially in the esophagus or stomach, caused by ulcers or varicose veins.
However, dark or black stools can also occur in other less worrisome situations, such as in an iron-rich diet, when iron supplements are taken, or when specific types of remedies are used.
- However.
- As long as the stool remains dark for more than 2 days.
- It is important to consult a gastroenterologist for stool or colonoscopy tests.
- For example.
- To identify the cause and begin appropriate treatment.
Learn more about other stool color changes and their common causes
The most common causes of dark stool include:
However, dark stools that appear from excessive ingestion usually don’t have a bad odor, such as stools that are obscured by the presence of blood, for example.
What to do: Excessive intake of iron-rich foods should be avoided and stool should be restored to a lighter color. See what foods to avoid in: Iron-rich foods.
In addition to iron-rich foods, those that have a very intense red color or have a black color can also change the color of the stool, making them darker. Examples of foods include:
If this is suspected to be the cause, it is recommended to pay attention to the food for 2 or 3 days, avoiding this type of food, and to observe if finally the faeces become clear. If your stool is still too dark, it may be another cause and it’s important to see a gastroenterologist.
The use of certain supplements, especially those of iron and lead, as well as the use of certain medications, such as anticoagulants or anti-inflammatory drugs, can cause stool to darken approximately 1 to 2 days after the start of treatment.
What to do: If the change in the color of the stool appears shortly after starting treatment with a medicine or supplement, it is recommended to consult the doctor who prescribed it to change the medicine, if possible.
Dark stools can also be a sign of the presence of blood and, therefore, in this case, they are called mane, presenting black, pasty and strong-smelling.
In this case, bleeding is usually caused by stomach ulcers or esophageal varicose veins, for example, but it can also be a sign of more serious problems such as stomach or bowel cancer.
What to do: To suspect the presence of blood in the stool, in addition to the characteristics of poop, a good technique is to put hydrogen peroxide in the toilet and, if foam is formed, it is a sign that it may contain blood. . However, the only way to confirm this diagnosis is to go to a gastroenterologist and undergo tests, such as stool examination, colonoscopy, or endoscopy.
Watch in the video below what the main changes in the shape and color of stool can indicate about health:
Dark stools in infants are normal when they occur shortly after delivery and are called meconium. Meconium is a dark green substance produced by the fetus during pregnancy and expelled in the first few hours of life. Until the sixth day of life, brown or dark green stools can be normal. See other causes of green stool.
However, in a few weeks and months, stools change color and texture, especially after the introduction of new foods, such as porridge, fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs, for example.
In some cases, in infants, a small amount of blood may appear in the stool, making them darker, but this is usually not serious because it is caused by flu or a milk allergy. However, if this happens, it is important to inform your pediatrician to identify the cause and begin treatment.
Read more: Because your baby’s stool may get dark
Whenever dark stools are suspected to be caused by the presence of digested blood, it is very important to consult a gastroenterologist. However, it is also important to consult your doctor if there are signs and symptoms such as:
In these cases, it is normal that in addition to assessing the person’s symptoms and medical history, the doctor also requests certain tests, such as stool exam and endoscopy.