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Are Frequent Bowel Movements And Black Colored Stool Suggestive Of Internal Bleeding?
Question: I have been on & off Oxycodone b/c of shoulder surgery & ,had severe constipation which has just cleared. Today I had 4 bowel movements, the 4th one I had black stool. Does this mean I have bleeding ? I also have a history of multiple hospitalizations for diverticulitis, most recently the end of February 2015. I am a 50yr old female.
Brief Answer:
Stool might appear dark for occasions after constipation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Severe constipation causes the stools to get lodged in the distal part of large bowel. This leads to decomposition of the stool and discoloration to a dark color.
2. When stool is cleared after days of constipation then it is dark in color and slowly becomes normal.
3. Please observe for normal stool color over next few days since your constipation is relieved. It should change to normal color. If it continues to be dark color after a few days then clinical investigation might be required.
Hope this answers your query.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Stool might appear dark for occasions after constipation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Severe constipation causes the stools to get lodged in the distal part of large bowel. This leads to decomposition of the stool and discoloration to a dark color.
2. When stool is cleared after days of constipation then it is dark in color and slowly becomes normal.
3. Please observe for normal stool color over next few days since your constipation is relieved. It should change to normal color. If it continues to be dark color after a few days then clinical investigation might be required.
Hope this answers your query.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your response! My follow up concern is that my first 3 bowel movements today were normal in color. It was my evening or 4th bowel movement that became black in color ?? But, I will observe my bowels over the next few days like you said. Thanks for your response!
Brief Answer:
Please watch yourself closely over next few days
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The color of stool is often altered because of the variety of food we eat. Lets hope that this is the situation in your case.
2. It is important to keep in mind that severe constipation might cause stool to stay for a longer time in the large bowel therefore causing an infection in the diverticula and this is called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is a condition in which the patient experiences pain and toxic symptoms with bleeding at times, appearing as dark stools.
3. Since you do not have any of the acute symptoms of diverticulitis therefore I would like you to have a wait and watch approach and then take an informed decision on visiting your doctor, should the darks stools continue and if there is development of fever and abdominal pain.
Hope this answers your query.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please watch yourself closely over next few days
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The color of stool is often altered because of the variety of food we eat. Lets hope that this is the situation in your case.
2. It is important to keep in mind that severe constipation might cause stool to stay for a longer time in the large bowel therefore causing an infection in the diverticula and this is called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is a condition in which the patient experiences pain and toxic symptoms with bleeding at times, appearing as dark stools.
3. Since you do not have any of the acute symptoms of diverticulitis therefore I would like you to have a wait and watch approach and then take an informed decision on visiting your doctor, should the darks stools continue and if there is development of fever and abdominal pain.
Hope this answers your query.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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