The consistency with the color and even the smell of feces can say a lot about the state of human he alth. This factor was taken into account in antiquity. Therefore, in the event that the stool suddenly turns black, this is an occasion to seriously think about the reason for such a change. For example, everything can be explained by quite ordinary things - eating some specific foods. But sometimes dark feces can indicate serious pathologies that require immediate medical attention. In addition, there is a huge range of chronic diseases in which black stools are a dangerous and highly suspicious symptom.
What should a he althy stool color be?
Normal color of stool can vary from tan to dark brown. It may also vary slightly depending on the type of person's diet andpersonal characteristics of the organism. A similar color is provided by the presence in the structure of the feces of processed bile and some undigested food particles that made up the diet of a certain individual. At the same time, it is very important that the chair is decorated. As a rule, everyone knows what color of feces is normal for him. In this regard, it is almost impossible not to notice when it becomes unusual.
Harmless causes of dark stools
Stools can often turn black due to the ingestion of certain foods that give it such an unusual color. Among these products, perhaps, it is worth mentioning red beets, pomegranates, prunes, black currants, red grapes, and blueberries. Absolutely all these and other rich fruits with vegetables and berries can change the color of feces.
In the event that, after analyzing his diet, a person understands that the cause of dark feces is a separate food, and he does not feel sick, and his stool is formed, then he has nothing to worry about. You can simply stop eating such fruits or berries, and after a couple of days, the feces will certainly acquire their normal shade. Do not worry if there are black blotches in the feces, they are undigested particles of food that have changed their color in the digestive system. Sometimes the causes of dark stools in adults are not so harmless.
Serious concerns among people are caused by the presence of inclusions in the feces, which are very reminiscent ofexternally small worms. They are usually mistaken for worms, and quickly run to the doctors to get tested and cured. But most likely, it will be the fibers of a banana that was eaten the day before. As for real pinworms and helminths, they, like most other parasites, have a completely different color: white or yellowish.
The color of feces and the effect of drugs on it
Dark feces can be due to the intake of certain pharmaceuticals. For example, drugs that are used to treat anemia. Such medicines contain iron, which can give the stool a similar color. Many vitamin complexes along with medicines containing bismuth with activated carbon have the same effect.
In the event that a person who discovered a darkening took any medication the day before, then he needs to study the instructions for them. If you manage to make sure that the whole thing is just in the drugs, then you can calm down, since there is absolutely no harm in this case for the body.
Internal bleeding
It is worth emphasizing that drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid, as well as drugs that reduce blood clotting, will not be able to stain feces themselves. But their use is sometimes the cause of internal bleeding. In this regard, if the patient saw dark feces during treatment with such drugs, he should seek medical help.
Diseases that cause black stools
Suddenly blackened feces are often a clinical symptom of internal bleeding. In most situations, everything can be explained by the erosion of a blood vessel in the area of the formation of a stomach ulcer. In this regard, people who suffer from peptic ulcers need to carefully monitor the color of their feces. And in case they turn black, this is an occasion for immediate medical attention.
Along with black stools in people who suffer from internal bleeding, there are other signs of a life-threatening condition. One of these symptoms is scarlet vomiting and symptoms of blood loss. In addition to bleeding ulcers, the causes of dark-colored feces in an adult are various intestinal pathologies with tumors in the stomach and esophageal veins. Sometimes other dangerous ailments are to blame:
- Development of an acute form of lymphoblastic leukemia.
- Presence of esophagitis, gastritis or Crohn's disease.
- Appearance of hookworm or histoplasmosis.
There are also dark feces in a child.
The appearance of black feces in children
Fortunately, in children, the causes of this color of feces are mostly harmless. They rarely have such serious, and at the same time life-threatening conditions as adults.
Parents are often frightened by the color with the consistency of feces in infants, which is released in the first days of life. Absolutely black stool in newborns is called meconium, and it is considered the norm. The color of the original feces is explaineddirectly by its structure: it consists mainly of bile, hair, epithelial cells, amniotic fluid, mucus and water. It will take a little time, and the baby’s stool will acquire a mustard color, normal for his age.
In the event that dark-colored feces are found in an older child, this serves as an occasion to analyze the composition of the foods and medicines that the child had to take the day before. If a child ate blueberries with bananas, blackberries and some other fruits, then most likely it is not worth sounding the alarm at all. Especially when the child feels he althy, cheerful and active.
But when the appearance of black feces is also accompanied by a worsening condition, and there are alarming symptoms in the form of abdominal pain with nausea and weakness, and, in addition, constipation or diarrhea with vomiting, then it is necessary to call a doctor urgently. In children, especially very young ones, dangerous conditions develop much faster than in adults.
The causes of dark green stools will be discussed below.
The main reason is malnutrition. Staining of fecal matter in green occurs when eating foods containing dyes and iron. Such products are fruit juices, sea fish, lettuce, broccoli, red beans, black licorice, etc. When using some of the above products, the color of feces may change for 5 days. Dark green stools are usually observed in vegetarians, as their diet is dominated by vegetables andfruits. Dark green stools may indicate some pathology. This shade of stool appears against the background of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. This may indicate a peptic ulcer or oncological processes in the body. Green feces may indicate the development of dysentery, treatment in this case is carried out only in a hospital.
Observation of black feces in pregnant women
Black feces in pregnant women is a fairly common symptom. It is worth saying that pregnancy with childbirth is not the cause of darkening of the stool. Nevertheless, such changes are very scary for expectant mothers. Don't panic. As a rule, the reason for black feces in expectant mothers lies in the fact that they consume vitamin complexes that are enriched with iron. In addition, women who are expecting a baby try to eat as many fruits with berries and vegetables as possible, which contain iron.
Thus, if the darkening of the stool is not accompanied by a deterioration in well-being and disturbing symptoms, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. But if you have a peptic ulcer or any chronic disease of the digestive system, you should be alert and go for an additional examination.
What should I do if black feces are found?
Every person who discovers black feces always begins to worry about what caused such changes. In any case, you can not panic prematurely and even more so let everything go by itself. The following measures should be taken:
- Need to study the diet of the last days. In the case when for the last period of time a person ate ordinary food and did not use any drugs, a sudden blackening of the stool may indicate the development of a life-threatening condition. And that requires a visit to the doctor, which cannot be put off.
- You need to observe the consistency and color of feces for a couple of days. In situations where the causes are harmless and harmless, the stool will certainly normalize a maximum of a couple of days after the exclusion of stool-coloring foods from the diet. But if the feces turn black due to a serious illness, this will not happen, and its color will not change to a normal color. In particular, a person should be alerted by periodically recurring black diarrhea.
- It is also important to pay attention to how you feel. The state of he alth in recent times should be analyzed, which preceded the sharp blackening of the stool.
Conclusion
In the event that the causes of dark-colored feces are harmless, the person's well-being will remain unchanged. Thus, he will feel he althy and full of energy. In situations in which the appearance of black stools is accompanied by constipation with bloating, anemia, vomiting, heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain and other alarming painful symptoms, whose intensity also increases over time, we will already be talking about a serious illness or any complications.
