Dark stool is called melena. It indicates that the blood is coming from your esophagus, stomach, or the beginning of the small intestine. Causes include problems with the blood vessels, a tear in your esophagus, a stomach ulcer, inflammation of the stomach lining, blood supply being cut off to part of the intestines, an injury or object that is stuck in your digestive tract, or abnormal veins in your esophagus or stomach, called varices.
Possible causes include: problems with the blood vessels or blood supply getting cut off in the small intestine, large intestine, rectum, or anus; a tear in the anus; polyps in the colon or small intestine; cancer in the colon or small intestine; infected pouches in the colon called diverticulitis; hemorrhoids; inflammatory bowel disease; an infection; an injury; or an object that is stuck in your lower digestive tract.
If your stool is black, possible causes include black licorice, iron pills, Pepto-Bismol, beets, and blueberries. If your stool is red, it could be from beets or tomatoes. If you aren’t sure, the safest thing to do is to bring a sample to the doctor and they can test it to determine if you are actually passing blood.
Blood thinners like aspirin, warfarin, and clopidogrel Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which include ibuprofen or naproxen
How much blood? When did it start? Could it be an injury? Have you choked on anything recently? Have you lost weight? Do you have any symptoms of infection such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, or diarrhea?
During a rectal exam, the doctor will feel inside your rectum with a gloved finger. It will be quick and painless.
Blood work. An angiography. The doctor injects you with dye and then uses x-rays to see the arteries. [7] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Barium studies in which you swallow barium, which then shows up on an X-ray and lets the doctor see your digestive tract. [8] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source A colonoscopy. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source An EGD or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The doctor will put a scope down your throat to look at your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. [10] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source A capsule endoscopy in which you swallow a pill containing a video camera. [11] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source A balloon-assisted enteroscopy in which the doctor can look at difficult-to-see areas of the small intestine. [12] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source An endoscopic ultrasound that has an ultrasound device attached to the endoscope. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to form a picture. [13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source An ERCP or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography which uses an endoscope and x-ray to see the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. [14] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source Multiphase CT enterography to view the walls of the bowels. [15] X Research source
Hemorrhoids, also called piles, which may be swollen or itchy. An anal fissure, which is a small tear in the skin around the anus. It is painful and may take a few weeks to heal. A viral or bacterial infection, called gastroenteritis, will often heal on its own if you stay hydrated and allow your body to fight it. [17] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Low fiber diets can cause straining when you are passing stools. A diet rich in fiber will reduce straining when you go to the bathroom, making stool passage easier. [18] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Antibiotics will help clear bacteria out of the pouches and bulges in your bowels. Your doctor may recommend eating only fluids for a few days to reduce the amount of feces your digestive tract must process.
An endoscopic thermal probe uses heat to stop the bleeding, particularly for an ulcer. Endoscopic cryotherapy freezes abnormal blood vessels. Endoscopic clips will close an open wound. Endoscopic intracranial cyanoacrylate injection uses a type of glue to seal a bleeding blood vessel.
An anal fistula, where a passage forms between the bowels and the skin near the anus. This often happens after an abscess bursts. It usually doesn’t heal without surgery. [21] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Recurrent diverticulitis. [22] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Bowel polyps. These are small bumps that are usually not cancerous, but usually need to be removed. [23] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Surgery Chemotherapy Radiation Medications
