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What Causes Black Colored Stool?

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Posted on Tue, 18 Jul 2017
Question: What does it mean when stools are like coffee grounds?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
may indicate bleeding in the upper GI tract in some persons

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

If stool has a black ground like appearance, then this can sometimes indicate that there may be blood /bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, in most cases, the upper GI tract.

As blood passes through tract, it mixes and changes and may then have a black appearance. Medications such as iron supplements and pepto bismol may also cause the stool to darken

In some individuals the coffee ground appearance may not be significant but a colonoscopy is a good option to check the colon.
If it is normal, you may need a scope of the upper GI tract

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Black Colored Stool?

Brief Answer: may indicate bleeding in the upper GI tract in some persons Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic If stool has a black ground like appearance, then this can sometimes indicate that there may be blood /bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, in most cases, the upper GI tract. As blood passes through tract, it mixes and changes and may then have a black appearance. Medications such as iron supplements and pepto bismol may also cause the stool to darken In some individuals the coffee ground appearance may not be significant but a colonoscopy is a good option to check the colon. If it is normal, you may need a scope of the upper GI tract I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions