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Noticed Black Specks In Stool. What Could Be This?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Jul 2012
Question: Hi,

I am just wandering, recently, once or twice i have noticed my stool contains little pepper like black specs on it and on the toilet paper when i wipe. The stool itself is normal and i have no other symptoms. I am just worried that i keep seeing things that say black specs or coffee grounds can be a sign of bleeding?
What could these things be, the stool itself is a normal brown colour but it's like someone has sprinkled ground pepper all over it?
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja (2 hours later)
Hi

Thanks for posting your query

The information you have provided is suggestive of mainly two issues :

1] Either it is undigested food material and/or
2] It could be blood from the upper GI track which changes to black color by the time it reaches the colon

If you have symptoms of gastritis and/or if you are a smoker and/or if you consume alcohol the chances of second option are more

Just to rule out any untoward issues it would be better if you go for a stool test

Hope this helps
Am available for followup queries
Wishing you a healthy life ahead
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja

Gastrointestinal Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 925 Questions

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Noticed Black Specks In Stool. What Could Be This?

Hi

Thanks for posting your query

The information you have provided is suggestive of mainly two issues :

1] Either it is undigested food material and/or
2] It could be blood from the upper GI track which changes to black color by the time it reaches the colon

If you have symptoms of gastritis and/or if you are a smoker and/or if you consume alcohol the chances of second option are more

Just to rule out any untoward issues it would be better if you go for a stool test

Hope this helps
Am available for followup queries
Wishing you a healthy life ahead