“Black tarry stools?”
I've had black tarry stools for months. I haven't been using any medications. I have no history of medical issues. I had stomach pain once that was two to three months back for which i took aristozyme and it got all better. Is it a stomach ulcer?
Female | 19 years old
Complaint duration: More than 5 months
Medications: None
Conditions: None
8 Answers
GastroenterologistGastroenterologist
Debes realizarte una endoscopia digestiva alta
The easiest thing is to obtain a "stool for occult blood". It's done by smearing a small amount of that black tarry stool on a "HemeOccult: card and using a liquid developer to confirm if it's really blood.
If so, off to the GI doc because it shouldn't be "blood". At 19 unusual but many potential causes.
If so, off to the GI doc because it shouldn't be "blood". At 19 unusual but many potential causes.
Dr. Kathleen Blake
Surgeon
Black tarry stools can imply upper GI tract blood loss like a peptic ulcer of the stomach or first section of the small intestine. Other things like iron supplements or Pepto Bismol can color stool this way also. Other GI tract conditions can also contribute to possible GI blood loss which is what your symptom implies. Even if this is painless (ulcers typically cause upper central abdominal pain, pressure, or bloating), blood work to assess blood levels and an exam by a primary care provider to review other possible causes.
Maybe. It has to be proved whether you have intestinal bleeding or not. The work up usually starts with testing your blood for anemia and your stool for signs of blood.
You need to see a GI specialist. If you are not taking any medications or iron supplements then black tarry stools are NOT normal. An EGD can determine if indeed you have an ulcer which could be in the stomach or in the duodenum. Of course, if the EGD does not show an ulcer then more tests need to be done to determine the cause. There is an endless list of possible causes for dark stools.
Please consult GI for EGD and colonoscopy.
Hello, black tarry stools are certainly not normal, unless you are taking Pepto-Bismol or iron. Typically, an ulcer causes significant pain, but ulcers that bleed can certainly cause that type of stool and should be further investigated with an EGD (camera that passes through your mouth into your stomach). They should also test for H. Pylori, which is a very common bacteria that cause stomach irritation and is easily treated with antibiotics. Let me know if you have further questions.
Could be. I would recommend following up with your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist.
