What should you know about jet black stool?

Bleeding from the stomach or upper small intestine can be digested as it travels through the bowel, creating stool that is black, shiny, sticky, and unusually foul-smelling. Peptic Ulcer, Gastritis, and Helicobacter Pylori Infection can be relevant causes. Iron tablets, bismuth-containing medicines, and some dark foods may also change stool colour, but they do not explain every episode. The appearance, texture, smell, amount, and accompanying symptoms all help a clinician judge the risk.

If the stool is truly tar-like or the change is unexplained, contact a clinician promptly rather than waiting for several bowel movements. Keep a list of medicines, including aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers, blood thinners, iron, and stomach remedies. Do not take extra anti-inflammatory painkillers or stop prescribed blood thinners without medical advice. If possible, note when the colour began and whether there has been abdominal discomfort, nausea, faintness, or a change in bowel frequency.

Seek emergency care for black stool with fainting, marked weakness, confusion, rapid breathing, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or vomit that resembles coffee grounds. Emergency help is also appropriate if several black stools appear or you feel increasingly unwell. A clinician may check your vital signs, blood count, medicines, and digestive tract; prompt assessment helps identify and treat a possible bleed.

Ask whether the colour could be explained by a medicine or food, whether you need blood tests or an examination of the upper digestive tract, and which medicines should be paused or continued. Mention previous ulcers, indigestion, liver disease, alcohol use, vomiting, recent procedures, and any history of bleeding. Bring the exact names and doses of regular medicines if you can.