Question 1

what causes dark patches on one side of stool. (not tarry and not melane)?

Accepted Answer

Be sure not blood: Hi YijunB
Test to be sure its not blood.  Many dietary items (skins of fruit or vegetables for example) can appear as dark blobs in otherwise formed stool. Medications containing bismuth can form lumps as well. If it continues, consult your PCP or a GI specialist.

Question 2

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 3

passed stool yesterday, dark plum colour?! could this be because i ate beetroot? today went and small amount of dark/black patches? is this serious?

Accepted Answer

It could be,get help: Blood in stool is a warning sign. Brisk bleeding warrants emergency care. Causes of bleeding may be predictable (e.g. rectal trauma), but evaluation is always appropriate. A rule of thumb (but not absolute): black stool means bleeding comes from upper GI tract; grape jelly stool from small bowel; silver stool from biliary tree; burgundy stool from right colon; red blood from left colon to anus.

Question 4

having colonoscopy tomorrow for positive fit (occult blood). lately i noticed my stools have "dark patches" in them. could this be blood?

Accepted Answer

Could be: but not likely.  Postive FOBT is abnormal.  You will know for sure after your colonoscopy tomorrow.

Question 5

why is my stool so dark?

Accepted Answer

Several possibilitie: Stool can be dark from iron pills pepto bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) or foods like spinach. Black tarry stools may indicate bleeding from the stomach area and should be checked right away.

Question 6

what can cause dark stool?

Accepted Answer

Diet, blood: Stool will vary from light to dark depending upon the diet.  Diets rich is red meat for instance will darken the stool color.  If there is GI bleeding then the stool may become black.  This requires evaluation by your gastoenterlogist as the source of the bleeding must be discovered and corrected.

Question 7

why is my stool dark green?

Accepted Answer

Dietary sources: often time dark green stools are the result of diet.  foods that have blue in them such as blueberries or other blue food coloring can cause dark green stools.  If this persists after eliminating this from your diet then you may want to consider seeing a medical professional

Question 8

why do dark color stools occur?

Accepted Answer

Things that make: black stools include iron, blood, bismuth, charcoal.  There are many more things that can make for dark color.

Question 9

what do dark and soft stools indicate?

Accepted Answer

Lots to consider...: Color & texture 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. More importantly, if stool appearance is unusual for you & persists, or is accompanied by alarm symptoms, then medical evaluation is in order.

Question 10

what?couls cause?my stool to be dark green?

Accepted Answer

Stool color: Decomposed bile, which is originally green, gives stool its yellow color. Having said that, green stool may mean that bile has rushed through the intestines without being acted on by bacteria like during diarrhea. Another cause of green color is unabsorbed iron in the diet.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Dark patches in stool

A member asked:

What causes dark patches on one side of stool. (not tarry and not melane)?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

Passed stool yesterday, dark plum colour?! could this be because i ate beetroot? today went and small amount of dark/black patches? is this serious?

A member asked:

Having colonoscopy tomorrow for positive fit (occult blood). lately i noticed my stools have "dark patches" in them. could this be blood?

A member asked:

Why is my stool so dark?

A member asked:

What can cause dark stool?

A member asked:

Why is my stool dark green?

A member asked:

Why do dark color stools occur?

A member asked:

What do dark and soft stools indicate?

A member asked:

What?couls cause?my stool to be dark green?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?