Why Is My Poop Black?

Noticing black poop can be unsettling. In medical terms, black, tarry stool is called melena, and it often means there’s digested blood in your digestive tract. However, it can also come from harmless sources like certain foods or supplements. Below, we’ll break down the most common reasons for black poop, how your body creates the “tar” appearance, and when you should seek medical attention.

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How Black Poop Forms

• Digested blood: When there’s bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract—such as your esophagus, stomach, or small intestine—blood mixes with digestive enzymes and acids. This chemical change turns the stool black and gives it a tarry consistency.
• Iron and bismuth compounds: Iron supplements and medications containing bismuth (like some antacids) can darken stool, since the body can’t fully break down these substances.
• Foods and supplements: Black licorice, dark berries, beet juice, or charcoal-based products may also change stool color.

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Common, Harmless Causes

1. Dietary factors
   • Black licorice, blueberries, or grape juice
   • Foods with dark food dyes
2. Supplements and medications
   • Iron tablets or liquid iron supplements
   • Bismuth subsalicylate (found in some heartburn and upset-stomach remedies)
3. Activated charcoal
   • Sometimes used for poisoning or digestive health

If any of these apply and you feel fine otherwise, your stool color should return to normal once you stop or change the dose of the item in question.

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Serious Causes: Gastrointestinal Bleeding

When black poop stems from bleeding, it usually means the source is in your upper GI tract. The longer the blood stays in your intestines, the darker it becomes.

Possible Sources of Bleeding

• Peptic ulcers (Rockey & Cello, 1998)
  Ulcers in the stomach or beginning of the small intestine can erode blood vessels.
• Esophageal or gastric varices (Palmer & Soriano, 2017)
  In cirrhosis, increased pressure in liver blood vessels can cause swollen veins that rupture.
• Gastritis or esophagitis
  Inflammation of the stomach lining or esophagus can lead to bleeding.
• Mallory-Weiss tears
  Severe vomiting can tear the lining between the esophagus and stomach.
• Swallowed blood
  From a nosebleed or dental procedure, which then passes through your digestive tract.

Risk Factors

• Liver disease or cirrhosis
  Advanced liver disease raises your risk of variceal bleeding (Cholongitas et al., 2005).
• Long-term NSAID or steroid use
  Medicines like ibuprofen or corticosteroids can irritate the GI lining.
• Heavy alcohol use
  Can lead to liver damage and ulcers.
• History of ulcers or GI bleeding

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Other Less Common Causes

• Small bowel bleeding
  Conditions such as Crohn’s disease, tumors, or angiodysplasia.
• Malignancies
  Stomach or esophageal cancer can present with melena.
• Vascular malformations
  Abnormal blood vessels that bleed intermittently.

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Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

If black poop is due to bleeding, you may also experience:

• Weakness, dizziness, or fainting
• Rapid heartbeat or low blood pressure
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Pale skin or shortness of breath (from anemia)

When these symptoms accompany black stool, it suggests significant blood loss and needs prompt evaluation.

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How Doctors Evaluate Black Poop

According to clinical guidelines (Rockey & Cello, 1998), evaluating melena involves:

1. Detailed history and physical exam
   • Onset, duration, and quantity of bleeding
   • Medication and alcohol use
   • Prior GI conditions
2. Laboratory tests
   • Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia
   • Liver function tests if cirrhosis is suspected
3. Endoscopic procedures
   • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to visualize the upper GI tract
4. Imaging studies
   • CT angiography if endoscopy is inconclusive and bleeding persists

For patients with cirrhosis, tools like the MELD score (Cholongitas et al., 2005) help estimate disease severity and prioritize treatment.

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When to Seek Medical Care

Black poop from harmless causes will resolve on its own. However, you should contact a healthcare provider right away if you notice:

• Very dark, tarry stools for more than a day
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness
• Rapid heart rate or drop in blood pressure
• Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
• Severe abdominal pain

Even if you’re unsure, doing a quick free, online symptom check for your symptoms can help you decide if you need urgent care.

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What You Can Do Right Now

• Review any recent changes to your diet, medications, or supplements.
• Keep track of stool color, consistency, and accompanying symptoms.
• Avoid NSAIDs or alcohol until you know the cause.
• Stay hydrated and rest if you feel weak or dizzy.
• Schedule an appointment to speak with a doctor—especially if bleeding is suspected.

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Bottom Line

Black poop can range from harmless (diet or supplements) to serious (upper GI bleeding). While you may not need to panic, you also shouldn’t ignore persistent or severe symptoms. If you’re ever in doubt—or if you notice additional warning signs—please speak to a doctor right away. Your health and safety come first.