What causes black stool?
Sep 29, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
In general, black stool may be caused by certain foods and beverages, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric ulcer hemorrhage, ischemic colitis, bacterial dysentery, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. In daily life, one should avoid consuming excessive spicy and irritating foods, maintain a balanced diet, engage in appropriate physical activity, and ensure sufficient sleep, all of which help promote gastrointestinal health.
In general, black stool may be caused by food and beverages, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric ulcer hemorrhage, ischemic colitis, bacterial dysentery, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Food and Beverages
Chlorophyll from leafy green vegetables and iron from iron-rich foods may turn stool black after digestion. Adjusting the diet by reducing intake of high-iron foods or leafy greens may help restore normal stool color.
2. Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
When bleeding occurs in the upper gastrointestinal tract, digestive enzymes in the intestines act on the blood, oxidizing the iron in hemoglobin into black iron sulfide, which may result in black stool. Patients typically experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, nausea, and black stools. Under medical supervision, treatments may include medications such as etamsylate injection, aminomethylbenzoic acid injection, and omeprazole enteric-coated capsules.
3. Gastric Ulcer Bleeding
Bleeding from damaged blood vessels at the site of a gastric ulcer can mix with stomach contents. After exposure to gastric acid, this may lead to the passage of black stool. Common symptoms include upper abdominal pain, bloating, and black stool. Treatment under medical guidance may involve drugs such as lansoprazole enteric-coated tablets, bismuth potassium citrate capsules, and clarithromycin capsules.
4. Ischemic Colitis
Ischemic colitis may cause ischemia and necrosis of the intestinal mucosa, leading to bleeding and black stool. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and black stool. Under a doctor’s supervision, treatment options may include warfarin sodium tablets, heparin sodium tablets, and sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets.
5. Bacterial Dysentery
Usually caused by Shigella infection, bacterial dysentery can damage the intestinal mucosa. Blood from the injury may interact with substances in the intestine to form dark-colored compounds, resulting in black stool. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, and black stool. As directed by a physician, treatment may involve cefaclor granules, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, and dl-anisodamine tablets.
In daily life, it is important to avoid excessive consumption of spicy and irritating foods, maintain a balanced diet, engage in appropriate physical activity, and ensure sufficient sleep, all of which contribute to better gastrointestinal health.
