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What Causes Black Stool?

Posted on Tue, 31 Oct 2017

Question: Hi, I have frequent loose stools with black, bean-like substances in them. What could this be?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be suggestive of patasitic infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear patient,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concerns.

Most likely it can be eggs of parasites like tapeworm.I would suggest you to go for a stool test.A stool test would confirm the nature of parasite.
Deworming by albendazole 400 mg tablet should be done.

Rx
Tab Albendazole 400 mg for three days.

Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (21 hours later)

Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX

Could it be c-difficile? I contracted this in the Virgin Islands several years ago, and wonder if it could be a reoccurance?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow-up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,

C. difficile is a bacteria and they are a microscopic organism.
As per your history, you can see these black bean-like things so the main possibility we have is a parasitic infestation.

However bacterial infection, if involved, would also be ruled out by the stool test.

Hope I answered your query,

Thanks and regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee