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What Causes Black Stools And Tingling Sensation Between Rib Cage And Pelvic Area?

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Posted on Fri, 12 Jun 2015
Question: For the past few days, i am getting black colored stools, but there is no diarrhea. Could you let me know what could be the potential causes?

Also my right side between my rib cage and my pelvic, I can feel some 'tingling' or very slight aching sensation as times. A report 2 years ago say that I have small polybs in my gall bladder.
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Black stools=blood

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

black colored stools without diarrhea means blood loss at a very slow rate which is enough to cause the stools to get black but not enough to cause diarrhea. Sometimes what the patient perceives as black is not actually black. It could be a very dark brown or greenish color. If you haven't eaten any beets or taken any iron supplements, bismuth etc then this is probably blood.

There is a test for blood in the stool that may be useful. If the stool is black and the test negative then the presence of blood would be very doubtful. If the test is positive, it would be one more argument for blood but not a 100% certain one. If blood is finally the cause of the black stool, then investigation is needed to identify the location of bleeding.

Any related symptoms might help. Burning in the stomach or intestinal symptoms etc. An upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy would have to be done.

I hope I've helped!
You can contact me again, if you'd like to ask for clarifications or further information.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Causes Black Stools And Tingling Sensation Between Rib Cage And Pelvic Area?

Brief Answer: Black stools=blood Detailed Answer: Hello, black colored stools without diarrhea means blood loss at a very slow rate which is enough to cause the stools to get black but not enough to cause diarrhea. Sometimes what the patient perceives as black is not actually black. It could be a very dark brown or greenish color. If you haven't eaten any beets or taken any iron supplements, bismuth etc then this is probably blood. There is a test for blood in the stool that may be useful. If the stool is black and the test negative then the presence of blood would be very doubtful. If the test is positive, it would be one more argument for blood but not a 100% certain one. If blood is finally the cause of the black stool, then investigation is needed to identify the location of bleeding. Any related symptoms might help. Burning in the stomach or intestinal symptoms etc. An upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy would have to be done. I hope I've helped! You can contact me again, if you'd like to ask for clarifications or further information. Kind Regards!