What should you know about little black stool?

Dark stool can follow iron supplements, bismuth-containing medicines, or strongly coloured foods. Bleeding from the stomach or upper intestine can also make stool black, sticky and unusually foul-smelling. Gastritis, a Peptic Ulcer, or Helicobacter Pylori Infection are possible conditions clinicians may consider; the colour alone cannot identify the cause. Note whether the change happened once or repeatedly and whether the stool is formed, loose, tarry or mixed with red blood.

Tell a clinician about the colour, texture, timing, medicines and supplements you take. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice, and do not use anti-inflammatory painkillers to self-treat stomach pain unless a clinician has told you to. If the stool is truly tarry, arrange prompt medical advice even when the amount seems small. Keep a note or photograph if appropriate and safe, because it can help describe the change accurately.

Get urgent help if black stool occurs with dizziness, fainting, weakness, severe or persistent abdominal pain, vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds, breathlessness, confusion, or a fast heartbeat. Repeated black stools also need prompt assessment. Emergency symptoms matter more than whether the amount looked little: digestive bleeding can continue without obvious pain.

Ask whether your medicines or supplements could explain the colour, whether testing is needed, how to monitor for further bleeding, and which symptoms should take you straight to urgent care.