Question 1

what causes  dark, tarry stools?

Accepted Answer

Depends: But most concerning would be a source of bleeding from your upper intestinal tract. Black tarry stools called melena are caused by bleeding from the upper tract that has been exposed to the acid from your stomach. This needs to be evaluated and treated promptly.

Question 2

what do tarry stools mean?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding in GI tract: Black tarry stools are due to bleeding in the gastro-intestinal tract and if you had black tarry stools, please see your doctor asap.

Question 3

what do black tarry stools look like?

Accepted Answer

Very dark,: Squishy; sticky.

Question 4

is tarry stools a sign of some disease?

Accepted Answer

Melenic stool: Dark-colored stools may result from foods you eat (like a lot of spinach), substances (like peptobismol), but most significantly suggest bleeding.  When blood is denatured by the acid in your stomach, as from ulcers, your stools will turn tarry ("melena").  Blood may ingested from nose bleeds, bleeding gums, etc. But persistent melena is a "red flag" warning for which you need fast medical care.

Question 5

what does it mean if i have tarry stools?

Accepted Answer

Blood or meds: Blood from high up in your digestive tract can cause black tarry sticky stools.  This blood could come from swallowed blood from a nosebleed, an ulcer or other stomach problems, or bleeding in the intestine.  The digestive chemicals turn the blood black and sticky and tarry.  Alternatively, certain medicines like pepto-bismol can also turn your stools black and tarry.   See your physician.

Question 6

what do i do  if i have black tarry stools?

Accepted Answer

depends: If you have not taken pepto-bismol or other bismuth containing products, you need to see a GI doctor sooner rather than later. This could be due to a serious life threatening condition in your stomach. Don't delay.

Question 7

i have black tarry stools after a night of partying?

Accepted Answer

Too much 'partying': Did you take any pepto before you went out 'partying'(which can turn your stool black), or did you drink to such excess that you caused bleeding within your esophagus/stomach?
If you are young and otherwise healthy, and this happened only once, i'd advise caution- if you are light headed, dizzy, or this continues to happen, get to the doctor at once.

Question 8

i read on webmd about black tarry stools, i have one maybe 2 to 3 times a month, what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Upper GI Bleed: Profile indicates history of cirrhosis, ascities and esophageal banding. In this case the number one concern is portal hypertension leading to bleeding esophageal varices or other associated upper GI condition, which should be ruled out as the cause of your melenotic (black tarry) stools. Recommend consultation with gi/hepatology.

Question 9

any reason for  tarry stools aside from bleeding?

Accepted Answer

Blood til proven not: Black (not dark, but black) stools can be seen with bleeding, iron supplements, bismuth (pepto), charcoal pills, arsenic (not used as medicine anymore-used to treat syphilis).  Foods like blueberries can be confusing, as can excess intake of oreos (anecdotal experience).

Question 10

what causes black tarry stools, i always heard it was cancer?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding in GI: Bleeding in the intestine causes black tarry stools. It could be bleeding from ulcers in the stomach, duodenum, vascular malformation of cancer in the GI tract. In any case, you should consult your doctor for a proper evaluation.

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A member asked:

What causes dark, tarry stools?

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What do tarry stools mean?

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What do black tarry stools look like?

A member asked:

Is tarry stools a sign of some disease?

A member asked:

What does it mean if i have tarry stools?

A member asked:

What do i do if i have black tarry stools?

A member asked:

I have black tarry stools after a night of partying?

A member asked:

I read on webmd about black tarry stools, i have one maybe 2 to 3 times a month, what does that mean?

A member asked:

Any reason for tarry stools aside from bleeding?

A member asked:

What causes black tarry stools, i always heard it was cancer?

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