A 33-year-old member asked:
What is the reason for having black stools?
1 doctor answer • 33 doctors weighed in
Dr. Charles Cattanoanswered
Gastroenterology 41 years experience
Possibly melena: Dark-colored stools may result from iron supplements, foods you eat (like a lot of spinach), substances (like peptobismol), but most significantly suggests bleeding. When blood is denatured by acid in your stomach, as from ulcers, stools will turn tarry ("melena"). Blood may also be ingested from nose bleeds, bleeding gums... Persistent melena (without obvious cause) & symptoms warrants md visit.
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5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 12, 2017
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