Black Stools
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Reviewed By:
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
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People with these symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
Color of stool has become black
Stool is black like hair
Black stool came out only once
Poop is black like coal
Poop was black only once
Black shiny stools
Black, tarry stool
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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
About the symptom
Black, shiny stool is also called Malena and is often also described as tarry in texture. It can be caused by bleeding in the gut or taking iron supplements.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Fever
Dizziness
Fainting with loss of consciousness
Sickly/pale appearance
Vomiting of blood
Unexplained weight loss of 5% or more in 1 month
Jaundice
Edema
Recent weight loss
Possible causes
- Helicobacter pylori infection
Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, is a bacteria that is commonly found in the stomach of approximately half the world's population.The vast majority of people have no symptoms. However, H. pylori is capable of causing a number of digestive problems, including ulcers and, rarely, stomach cancer. H. pylori bacteria may spread through direct contact with saliva, vomit, feces or contaminated food or water.
- Cirrhosis of the liver
A condition where normal liver is permanently damaged and replaced with scar issue. There are many different causes including infections, alcohol abuse and diabetes.
- Gastroduodenal ulcer
Ulcers can develop in the stomach and small intestines. In severe cases, the ulcers can cause bleeding or a hole in the gut wall. Common causes include the bacteria H. pylori, and painkillers such as Diclofenac.
- Meckel's diverticulosis
- Anemia
- Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Functional dyspepsia
- Gastric cancer
- Epistaxis
Related serious diseases
- Tuberculosis (TB) (including scrofuloderma)
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection, most commonly in the lungs. Other sites of infection include the lymph nodes, intestines, and skin.
Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom
Do you have stools that are black (like hair) and shiny?
Do you have abdominal pain (stomach ache)?
Do you have loose stools or diarrhea?
Do you have nausea or vomiting?
Did you vomit blood?
Other Related Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
Reviewed By:
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan