The normal color of feces in humans should be in the range from light brown to dark brown. In general, for each person, a certain color is considered natural, therefore, for any violations, he should immediately notice the changes and consult a doctor.
The feces acquire a brown color because it contains bile processed in the intestine and those particles of food products that remain undigested.
But a black chair is, as a rule, a deviation from the norm. The presence of such a color indicates a malfunction of any organs of the digestive system or more serious disorders. Our task is to explain to you what you need to do if you notice that your feces have acquired such a color.
So, first of all, you should make a list of those foods and drinks that you have consumed in the past three days. Very often, black stool occurs as a result of the use of certain medications (activated carbon, vitamin complexes, bismuth preparations) or foods (for example, beets, prunes, grapes). There are a number of medications that can give a similar side effect. However, it is very difficult to list all of them, therefore, when purchasing any medicine, be sure to read the instructions for its use and the side effects graph.
If the black stool appeared as a result of taking the above drugs or food, then this is safe and does not require specific treatment. It is very important to remember that those drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid, anti-inflammatory drugs and those that reduce blood coagulation do not stain the stool in a similar color, but can cause internal bleeding, which leads to a similar effect. This is very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.
If feces become normal in a few days, as a rule, such changes were not the result of serious diseases. However, if black stool continues for two to three days (especially in the form of diarrhea), you should immediately consult a doctor.
As a rule, black blotches in feces are undigested particles of food or elements of drugs. Remember that passing through the intestines, many products can become dark, even if they did not have such a shade.
Black stool, the causes of which can only be reliably determined by a doctor, sometimes occurs along with some concomitant symptoms. It can also be a consequence of the development of acute or chronic diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to seek medical help if dark stool appears:
- Concomitantly with vomiting, nausea, and fever.
- The patient has an ulcer (duodenum or stomach).
- In a patient with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.
- In the event that a person has bowel cancer.
- After the day before the strong vomiting opened.
- The patient whose blood test results are often diagnosed with anemia.
Sometimes black stools may appear along with a splash of blood. As a rule, serious intestinal diseases become the causes of this condition. If this happens after surgery, the patient may have internal bleeding.
If you notice black stool in a baby in the first days of his life, this phenomenon is considered normal. This is the original feces (called meconium), which in a few days will completely come out of the baby's body. Then it will be replaced by a regular one, the color of which will depend on the baby’s diet, in particular, on the type of main feeding (breast milk or formula).