Should my poop be black

Answer 1

Poop can be many different colors depending upon the kind of food that you are eating, as well as the speed and completeness of the process of digestion. Very dark poop can be perfectly normal, but black poop does suggest some abnormality, which would most likely involve some degree of internal bleeding, possibly from an ulcer, especially if you also have stomach pain, because blood, when it hardens, does turn black. If you feel no pain, I would guess that there is no problem. You are just eating food that contains dark colored material.

Answer 2

if yer sure its seriously BLACK. then no. yer intestines may be bleeding. i got this from the website webmd.com : The stool may turn black because of chemical changes to the hemoglobin in blood caused, in part, by the action of intestinal enzymes, particularly if bleeding is more rapid and there is a large amount of hemoglobin within the intestines. A color change to black also is more likely if the bleeding occurs in the upper intestine since there is more time for the chemical changes to the hemoglobin to take place as the blood travels through the intestines. Stool that is black due to bleeding is also "sticky" (tarry) and smells bad. These latter characteristics help distinguish black stools due to internal bleeding from black stools due to the ingestion of iron or bismuth-containing medicines, for example, bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).

Answer 3

Are you taking iron tablets or vitamins that have iron in them? Iron will make stools black, and it is nothing to worry about.

If you are not taking iron supplements and you feel unwell and the black stools are foul smelling, it is called melina, and is a sign that you are bleeding high up in your bowel. You will need to see a doctor about it.

Answer 4

Normally, no. If you are taking iron supplements or some sort of digestive medication such as pepto or a medicine for loose stools, then yes, the poop can be black as it is stained by the medication.

However, black poop can be indicative of a lower GI tract bleed--otherwise known as Melena.

Black, tarry stools happen--but before you panic, think--what did I eat? Take? Drink? Supplements? Write down when you saw the stool and if it continues, call your Doc and they will supply you with a stool sample collection kit. Don't' worry, it's not as bad as it sounds. Just a popsicle stick a card and a swipe--no problem. If blood is present, the lab technician will be able to determine this within hours.

Also think about how you feel after you eat--any pain? Where, when, how long..any vomiting and note the color, when it occurs and how much. Any history of ulcers, colitius, and GI disorders...make sure you share this with your Doc.

So begin taking some notes, proceed with your life and continue to monitor your stool. Follow up with your Doc with any questions/concerns. It is best to rule out any type of bleed so don't be embarrassed to discuss this with your Doc. With any luck, this will clear up on it's own. If not, do not panic as there are many treatments as well as many causes. Keep journaling your diet and elimination and how you are feeling from day to day.

HTH and good luck

DanniDonkey

Nursing Student

Answer 5

It could mean that you have internal bleeding. Another reason for black stool could be the ingestion of medicines such as pepto bismol, which has been known to discolor feces.

Answer 6

your poop is black because it has been sitting in your poop colon too long and so it sinks strait to the bottom of the toilet

Answer 7

Agree with the related Answer: Blood entering the digestive tract anywhere will be displayed as blackened excrement.