Question 1

are black stools really black color? like does the color look like the color of a black crayon?

Accepted Answer

Indication of blood: Black tarry stools are due to bleeding in the intestine. If you have black stools, see your doctor and not be concerned if it  is not really black.

Question 2

what is meant by a black or tarry stool?

Accepted Answer

Blood: It could represent bleeding from the GI tract so go see your doctor.

Question 3

i am so confused about how bloody tarry stool looks like...compared to black stool.  aren't they the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Be cautious: If you have black stools and are not sure if these are tarry black, treat it as if it were black tarry stool and get a sample tested for blood.

Question 4

can red soda or ketch-up cause black stools? not tarry, sticky, or worse smelling, just really dark/ almost (if not) black

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Hi
With red soda, sometimes it can, although it really depends on the type of food coloring used and how much of it you consumed. I haven't heard of ketchup causing red stool before, but I would assume that if there was heavy food coloring used, it could be possible.

Hope this helps

Question 5

just been diagnosed with crohns disease, i have had black stools but they are not tarry they are quite loose as well, should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Black stools can be caused by medications like iron or even some mesalamines. If your doctor is not concerned that it's a sign of upper GI bleeding, it may be due to the medication you're taking.

Question 6

i have tarry black stools which looked like clotted blood. can celiac disease be a cause?

Accepted Answer

Unusual: Tarry stool is not a feature of celiac disease but often a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding. You need to see your doctor very very soon.

Question 7

does bleeding in the intestines would result to a whole black and tarry stool or just a portion of the stool?

Accepted Answer

Much or all: A red streak on the stool or the tissue following a rough bowel movement is nothing to worry about. Other blood in the stool is.

Question 8

i had abd pain 1 week ago lasting 3 days. pain subsided. today i had a formed black stool.  not tarry. what could this be. dr has not called back yet.

Accepted Answer

Peptic ulcer...: A peptic ulcer commonly causes upper abdominal pain and can bleed leading to black stool(s).  Your doctor may want to start you on a acid suppressive medication like Prilosec (omeprazole) and/or order an endoscopy to  try and diagnose the ulcer (if present). Good luck!

Question 9

been stressed. no food for 7 days, and very minimal water sometimes none at all for the day loss of10lbs. today black tarry stool with a fowl smell.

Accepted Answer

See your: Doctor ASAP.  Need a work up.  Sounds like the stress is getting the best of you.  May have an ulcer.  See your doc

Question 10

what can cause black tarry stool with occasional sharp stomach cramps?

Accepted Answer

Ulcer: Possible ulcer.  Stop any Aspirin or motrin-like products and consult your doctor.  May prescribe a proton pump inhibitor like Prilosec while awaiting referral to a GI specialist.

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Doctor answers about:

What does black tarry stool look like

A member asked:

Are black stools really black color? like does the color look like the color of a black crayon?

A member asked:

What is meant by a black or tarry stool?

A member asked:

I am so confused about how bloody tarry stool looks like...compared to black stool. aren't they the same thing?

A member asked:

Can red soda or ketch-up cause black stools? not tarry, sticky, or worse smelling, just really dark/ almost (if not) black

A member asked:

Just been diagnosed with crohns disease, i have had black stools but they are not tarry they are quite loose as well, should i be worried?

A member asked:

I have tarry black stools which looked like clotted blood. can celiac disease be a cause?

A member asked:

Does bleeding in the intestines would result to a whole black and tarry stool or just a portion of the stool?

A member asked:

I had abd pain 1 week ago lasting 3 days. pain subsided. today i had a formed black stool. not tarry. what could this be. dr has not called back yet.

A member asked:

Been stressed. no food for 7 days, and very minimal water sometimes none at all for the day loss of10lbs. today black tarry stool with a fowl smell.

A member asked:

What can cause black tarry stool with occasional sharp stomach cramps?

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