Question 1

should i be concerned if my one-year-old child has black stool? my son has had charcoal black bowl movements over the past twelve hours. it does not have the usual odor associated. he seems to be acting fine. should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Good : Good for you for knowing that black-colored stool can mean that there may be bleeding in the stomach or small intestine.  Now that being said, that is not the only reason for a black stool - it's just the most concerning.

Benign causes of black stool to rule out first before seeking care are: black licorice or other black foods, blueberries or other dark blue foods, iron supplements or multivitamins with iron,  or pepto-bismal.  All of these can cause black stool.

Another reason for your child to have black stool caused by blood, but of less concern is if he had a nosebleed a few hours before the black stool.  Children (and adults) sometimes swallow a lot of blood with a nosebleed and that can also affect stool color.

If your child has not been exposed to any of these and has continued to have black stool, he should be seen by his doctor.  His doctor may want you to bring a stool sample to the appointment for testing to look for blood and/or other causes.

Legal disclaimer: I am providing this general and basic information as a public service and my response to this question does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.  For any additional information, advice, or specific concerns, please speak with your own physician.  The information provided is current as of the date of the answer entry.

Question 2

hard time breathing , not eating good small portions hard to swallow, going number two everything time when using bathroom black stool and burping 77m?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: Black stools suggest bleeding in the intestinal tract, and difficulty swallowing may point to a lesion in the esophagus. Please see a doctor right away.

Question 3

i was wondering are occasional black stools bad?

Accepted Answer

Depends on your: Diet. If you eat beets or take pepto bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) or iron supplements occassionally and it is followed by a black stool, probably not but black stool without an obvious cause should not be ignored. It is not normal and may indicate a source of upper GI bleeding. See a GI doctor for a thorough evaluation.

Question 4

i have ablack stool during 2 month after birth my baby i have natural delivary is black stool is bad or not? what is reason

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Most of the time black stool is not of concern.
Lots of things can make stool black - iron pills, pepto bismal, etc. 
So unless it continues, don't worry.
However, bleeding from the upper intestinal track - ulcers, polyps, inflammation does turn stool black.
So, if it continues and you are not on iron post-delivery, do see a doctor. Tests can easily determine if you have a problem.
Peter wilk, md.

Question 5

could it be something bad if i have black stools?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Black stools can indicate bleeding from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It may represent blood that has been digested, turning the stool into a characteristic black, tarry stool. This may be from a stomach or duodenal ulcer. Medications can also turn the stool black, such as iron supplements and pepto-bismol. Should see your doctor.

Question 6

i took 40mg iron yesterday, and ate blueberries.my stool is black, but no bad odor at all. melena or non-melena? thank u

Accepted Answer

Black stool: Since only a small percentage of oral iron is absorbed, black stool is commonly seen in people taking iron. A simple test is to smudge a specimen of stool on a hemoccult card and drop a few drops of testing solution on it. This can be at a lab or physicians office.

Question 7

i ate something bad 3 days ago and now i have intestinal distress and black stool?

Accepted Answer

Blood in stool?: If you had black tarry stool, please consult your doctor asap. Black stool may represent bleeding in the gastro-intestinal tract. Do not blame it on bad food, before you exclude internal bleed.

Question 8

i've been on a diet eating to bags of steamed vegetables and have been  having bad gas and sometimes black stool no blood am i eating to much vegys?

Accepted Answer

Vegetables and gas: Vegetables and legumes contain oligosaccharides, soluble fiber and natural sugars like that can produce excess gas in the intestine.  Thus, it is not that you are eating too many vegetables, but just a natural side effect of the dietary choices you make.

Question 9

i have been getting black stools, not tarry though, just dark in color. i also have bad strep throat. are they related in any way? or should i go in?

Accepted Answer

Black stool: Implies upper GI tract bleeding or certain meds like pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate). See your doc.

Question 10

i had a bad stomach pain yesterday now i have almost black stool, popto bismol can cause this(which i have taken) no other problems have come up"

Accepted Answer

It's the Pepto: Pepto bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) may sooth an upset stomach, but one often shocking side effect is that it turns the school black.  If there have been no other problems such as pain, cramping, diarrhea, blood in the stool, etc., then i would just suggest you take it easy over the weekend, take a bland diet, and expect a complete recovery.  Look into the cause for your stomach upset - you may need more than just pepto.

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Doctor answers about:

Bad tasting burps charcoal black stool

A member asked:

Should i be concerned if my one-year-old child has black stool? my son has had charcoal black bowl movements over the past twelve hours. it does not have the usual odor associated. he seems to be acting fine. should i be concerned?

A member asked:

Hard time breathing , not eating good small portions hard to swallow, going number two everything time when using bathroom black stool and burping 77m?

A member asked:

I was wondering are occasional black stools bad?

A member asked:

I have ablack stool during 2 month after birth my baby i have natural delivary is black stool is bad or not? what is reason

A member asked:

Could it be something bad if i have black stools?

A member asked:

I took 40mg iron yesterday, and ate blueberries.my stool is black, but no bad odor at all. melena or non-melena? thank u

A member asked:

I ate something bad 3 days ago and now i have intestinal distress and black stool?

A member asked:

I've been on a diet eating to bags of steamed vegetables and have been having bad gas and sometimes black stool no blood am i eating to much vegys?

A member asked:

I have been getting black stools, not tarry though, just dark in color. i also have bad strep throat. are they related in any way? or should i go in?

A member asked:

I had a bad stomach pain yesterday now i have almost black stool, popto bismol can cause this(which i have taken) no other problems have come up"

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