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Treated For Bronchitis. Feeling Sleepy And Noticed Slimy And Black Stool. What Is The Cause?
Question: Hi. My dad was in hospital for 5 days being treated for extreme bronchitis / pneumonia.
He's at home now but very unwell, sleeping almost all the time.
We have noticed his stools are very slimy and black.
Could this be a result of the body getting rid of the infected mucus that he will have swallowed as he cannot cough out any phlegm ?
Thank you - XXXXXXX
He's at home now but very unwell, sleeping almost all the time.
We have noticed his stools are very slimy and black.
Could this be a result of the body getting rid of the infected mucus that he will have swallowed as he cannot cough out any phlegm ?
Thank you - XXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query.
Considering your father age and his nature of illness, there is high possibilities of stress ulcers in stomach.
Black color stool is called as melena and it indicates blood plus acid.
These ulcers has high probability of bleeding and blood gets converted to black color after mixing with acid in stomach.
What is present blood pressure?
Continuous bleeding may cause disorientation with hypotension and loss of consciousness.
You should immediately rush to ER with urgent consult with physician.
You should go for complete blood count, Spo2 measurement, blood pressure check up, renal function test, bleeding and clotting time, prothrombin time.
You should also go for endoscopy if his condition allows.
You should also take proton pump inhibitors drip for control of bleeding.
Wishing a faster recovery.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Thanks for posting your query.
Considering your father age and his nature of illness, there is high possibilities of stress ulcers in stomach.
Black color stool is called as melena and it indicates blood plus acid.
These ulcers has high probability of bleeding and blood gets converted to black color after mixing with acid in stomach.
What is present blood pressure?
Continuous bleeding may cause disorientation with hypotension and loss of consciousness.
You should immediately rush to ER with urgent consult with physician.
You should go for complete blood count, Spo2 measurement, blood pressure check up, renal function test, bleeding and clotting time, prothrombin time.
You should also go for endoscopy if his condition allows.
You should also take proton pump inhibitors drip for control of bleeding.
Wishing a faster recovery.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much Dr Bhargava for your feedback.
I appreciate it and we'll try get him to ER as soon as possible.
Regards
XXXXXXX
I appreciate it and we'll try get him to ER as soon as possible.
Regards
XXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX,
Wishing a speedy recovery for your father,
Get well soon,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Wishing a speedy recovery for your father,
Get well soon,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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