Anxiety afflicts many people after the completion of the process of excretion (defecation) after noticing a change in the color of the stool to black stool, and although this may be an indication of a health problem, it may also be a transient matter as a result of eating a certain type of food, and there is no need to worry about then. Below, we will discuss the causes of black stools, so read the following lines.

Causes of black stool

There are several possible causes for this condition, such as:

1. Eat dark meals

It is possible that the color of the stool is dark black due to the simplest reasons, which is eating dark-colored food, especially if it is not accompanied by other symptoms of the digestive system, and examples of these foods include the following:

• black licorice.
• berries.
• Dark chocolate.

2. Iron supplements

Some people with anemia take iron-containing nutritional supplements, which carry some side effects, including:

• black stools
• Feeling sick.
• constipation.

NB: It is recommended to consult a doctor or pharmacist when noticing these side effects, as he may suggest changing the type of dietary supplement to another type that has less impact on the digestive system.

3. Certain medications

Some medicines containing the chemical “bismuth” may change the color of the stool, and prolonged use of these medicines affects the color of the tongue and teeth.

4. Peptic ulcers

Black stools are likely caused by ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, and may also cause indigestion, GERD, a burning sensation in the stomach, and discomfort.

The color of the stool changes to black when complications of the ulcer occur, such as bleeding, and a doctor must be contacted quickly, as it is a more serious symptom.

5. Bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract

In addition to stomach and duodenal ulcers, there are other reasons for bleeding in the upper part of the digestive system, which causes a change in the color of the stool to a darker color, and among these reasons are the following:

• Gastritis.
• Esophagitis.
• Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which is a tear in the mucous membrane of the esophagus at the junction with the stomach, is caused by severe vomiting.
• Oesophageal cancer, or stomach cancer.

The sources stress the importance of obtaining an urgent medical examination if the color of the stool continues to change for a few days, and is accompanied by stomach pain and vomiting.

6. Esophageal varices

Esophageal varices are bulging and swollen veins in the esophagus, usually caused by cirrhosis (an advanced stage of liver disease). It is possible for these cycles to rupture, causing bleeding that results in either red stools or black stools. You should contact your doctor immediately when you notice the following symptoms:

• Rapid weight loss.
• Feeling of discomfort in the abdomen.
• jaundice
• muscle cramps

7. Black stool and colon

According to one source, black stool may be caused by some of the following colon problems:

When should a doctor be consulted?

Medical advice should be obtained if the stool is black with diarrhea, vomiting, pain, blood in the stool, dizziness, or any other symptoms associated with the aforementioned reasons.

Black stool for children

One of the sources indicates that black stools differ according to the age of the child. For example, black stools are observed in a newborn child, and it is usually the first stool of the first stool in the child’s life after leaving the womb. It is called meconium, and the source explains that Due to the lack of benign bacteria in the intestines that help digest foods after.

Once the baby is out of the womb, bacteria begin to form in the first days since birth, and the color of the stool changes to a lighter color, but it is unlikely that the black stool is meconium after a week of birth.

The source explains that the causes of black stools in older infants or children may be due to the same causes as adults, which suggests the necessity of obtaining medical advice from a specialized pediatrician to determine the cause and treat it.

How do I treat black stool?

The treatment of black stool varies according to the causes, for example:

• If you are one of those who eat foods that cause a change in the color of the stool, stop eating them, and you will notice the color returning to normal within a few days.
• If you are taking certain medications, consult your doctor about the best options and alternatives.
• If you suffer from other problems of the digestive tract and colon, you should consult a doctor immediately to get the appropriate treatment, whether with medication or other procedures as per the doctor’s vision.

How to prevent stool color change to black

After obtaining medical advice and determining the causes, the doctor will explain some preventive methods based on each of these reasons, for example:

• Avoid foods that change the color of stool.
• Avoid foods and medications that exacerbate inflammation and stomach ulcers, and make some lifestyle changes.
• Consult a doctor as soon as any suspected symptoms appear.
• Changing medications that cause stool color change, after consulting and prescribing a doctor.