Question 1

during bowel movement, had a very long and thin throughout(maybe 2in width diameter?) floating stool accompanied w/2 sinking chunks. all looked lighter brown when submerged, but dark brown when exposed to surface- cause for concern? (i have pictures?

Accepted Answer

: Your bowel movements are determined by the type of foods you eat. The size , shape and consistency depend on the chemical makeup of what is in your colon See your GASTROENTEROLOGIST for a consult and or exam.

Question 2

ruq pain that has gotten worse over the past year, it now radiates into my back and left side. its a sharp, throbbing internal pain. stools are yellow and greasy/floating, urine is dark brown. pain wakes me up, not liver or gallbladder. kidneys?

Accepted Answer

: Pancreatitis is one possible cause and a lab work up and abdominal CT may reveal the cause. A urinalysis may be ordered by your PCP.

Question 3

why is my stool a very dark brown black color?

Accepted Answer

Not sure: Black stools can be due to medications that contain either iron or bismuth, eating certain foods (like black licorice), Gastrointestinal bleeding or ingestion of charcoal.

Question 4

my stools are dark brown but look flat, is this a problem?

Accepted Answer

Flat brown stool: The amount, color, frequency, shape of stool varies with foods, speed of emptying of the GI tract, medications, supplements ingested, gut flora (unique for each individual), additives (like blood), subtractions (like absent bile), infection, inflammation, other factors.  If stool pattern has changed, is unusual for you,  the change persists, or is accompanied by other symptoms, see your doctor pls

Question 5

should i be worried if my stool is very dark brown, almost black?

Accepted Answer

Tarry? Sticky?: Foul smelling? - if yes then get it medically checked out to ensure that you don't have GI bleeding.

Question 6

please help! dark brown strands in stool. could it be the oreos i ate?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Some foods cause your stool to change color but oreos should not cause the stool changes you describe. I wouldn't worry if this issue occurred 1 time, but if you notice stool changes for more than a few days, see your doctor.

Question 7

what does it mean when stool in dark brown on the outside and light brown on the inside?

Accepted Answer

It might..: It might be completely normal depending on what you ate. However, we would need to know what other symptoms you are presenting. If the stool turns black or has blood, mucus on it it would need further evaluation. If otherwise you are healthy I would just make sure that you eat plenty of fiber(fruits and vegetables), low fat diet in order to produce a healthy bowel movement.

Question 8

my stool colour is very dark brown with dark brown blakish patches, should i b concerned?

Accepted Answer

No but stay alert: the color of stool reflect what you eat 
so most of the time nothing to worry about. rarely in older population could represent a slow bleeding 
in you case again nothing to worry about.

Question 9

my stool has been very dark brown/black the last 2 weeks and my appetite has been down. what could be causing this??

Accepted Answer

A simple stool: test obtained from your Primary Care Physician's Office will disclose any blood in your stool (which could explain the black stools) Otherwise your diet pretty much influences the color of your stools! Sounds like you need a "check up"...make an appointment TODAY! 
Hope this helps and Good Luck

Dr Z

Question 10

hi should i worry if for the past couple of days my stool has been half brown half very dark brown very similar to black ?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps: Without more information I would say Yes be worried.
If you are concerned enough to write in I would go to a doctor and get a Fecal occult blood test done. This will see if the color is due to blood in the stool.
Foods like dark vegetables can change the stool color.
Certain meds can cause GI bleeding.  See a doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Dark brown floating stool

A member asked:

During bowel movement, had a very long and thin throughout(maybe 2in width diameter?) floating stool accompanied w/2 sinking chunks. all looked lighter brown when submerged, but dark brown when exposed to surface- cause for concern? (i have pictures?

A member asked:

Ruq pain that has gotten worse over the past year, it now radiates into my back and left side. its a sharp, throbbing internal pain. stools are yellow and greasy/floating, urine is dark brown. pain wakes me up, not liver or gallbladder. kidneys?

A member asked:

Why is my stool a very dark brown black color?

A member asked:

My stools are dark brown but look flat, is this a problem?

A member asked:

Should i be worried if my stool is very dark brown, almost black?

A member asked:

Please help! dark brown strands in stool. could it be the oreos i ate?

A member asked:

What does it mean when stool in dark brown on the outside and light brown on the inside?

A member asked:

My stool colour is very dark brown with dark brown blakish patches, should i b concerned?

A member asked:

My stool has been very dark brown/black the last 2 weeks and my appetite has been down. what could be causing this??

A member asked:

Hi should i worry if for the past couple of days my stool has been half brown half very dark brown very similar to black ?

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