Digestive Health Daily Care What Causes Black or Tarry Stool? By Amber J. Tresca Amber J. Tresca Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 13, 2022 Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Food and Supplements Blood in Stool Diagnosis Causes Treatment Frequently Asked Questions Black stool refers to a condition in which your stool is an unusually dark color. Stool is the bodily waste left over after digestion. Stool is also known as poop, bowel movements, or feces. You may have black poop because of certain foods, medications and supplements, or underlying medical problems. Black stool isn't always something to worry about, but it can sometimes be a sign of a serious health condition. To rule out a life-threatening condition, contact your healthcare provider right away if: You have a history of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding Your stool has an especially foul smell The problem lasts longer than a few days This article explores the causes of black or tarry stool. It explains some of the more serious health problems associated with it and outlines common treatments for black stool caused by medical conditions. Verywell / Laura Porter Quick Facts About Black Stool Most cases of black stools are from eating black foods or iron supplements.Black stool due to blood indicates a problem in the upper GI tract.Blood in the stool can be detected through a stool test.See your healthcare provider immediately if you have black stool with pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.If you suspect there is blood in your stool, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Food and Supplements Black stools could be caused by food, supplements, medication, or minerals. Iron supplements, taken alone or as part of a multivitamin for iron-deficiency anemia, may cause black stools or green stools. Foods that are dark blue, black, or green may darken your bowel movements. The following foods and substances can lead to black stool: Black licorice Blueberries Blood sausage Lead Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) If you can't trace your black stool to something you ate, talk to your doctor to find other possible causes. If there's no obvious reason for a black stool, it could be time to look for blood in the stool. Various medical reasons can cause tarry, black stools with a foul smell. Blood in the Stool (Melena) Blood that comes from the upper GI tract—such as the esophagus or the stomach—may turn the stool black. This is a condition called melena. If you have melena, you may also notice that your stool has a tarry texture or is similar to coffee grounds. Blood changes from red to black as it passes through the body and interacts with enzymes, substances that help digest food in the GI tract. This makes it a bit more difficult to tell if there is red blood in or on the stool. Bright red blood in or on the stool is typically blood from the lower GI tract, such as the rectum or the colon. This is a condition called hematochezia. Blood stemming from this region will be redder in appearance because it will be exposed to less of the digestive process. If the black stool appears tarry, or you also have other symptoms such as fainting or near-fainting, dizziness, pain, or vomiting, contact a healthcare provider immediately. This could be a medical emergency. Some people are more likely to develop bleeding in the GI tract. Talk to your doctor if any of these risk factors apply to you: Liver disease Cancer Dieulafoy lesion (a rare condition of the stomach) Erosive esophagitis (inflammation in the esophagus) Erosive gastritis (inflammation in the stomach) Intestinal ischemia (when blood supply to the intestines is cut off) Peptic ulcers (sores in the stomach lining or upper part of small intestine) Tear in the esophagus (Mallory-Weiss tear) Varices (abnormally large veins) in the esophagus or stomach Diagnosis Seeing the black color is not enough to determine whether or not there's blood in your stool. Remember, it could be caused by food or iron supplements. A healthcare provider needs to confirm if there's blood. That requires several types of tests. Your doctor will have you collect a small stool sample at home using a special kit. The sample is then sent to a lab for evaluation. If you're diagnosed with melena, doctors may order further diagnostic tests to determine the cause and the exact location of the bleeding. Specifically, your doctor may conduct an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD, or upper endoscopy). This procedure involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera down your throat so that your healthcare provider can inspect the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine. Aside from an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), other tests that might be done include: X-rays Blood tests Colonoscopy (an internal examination of your large intestine) Stool culture (a test that looks for bacteria in a sample of your stool) Barium studies (X-rays taken after a chalky liquid is ingested) Causes of Blood in Stool Black, tarry stool typically indicates the presence of an acute condition in the upper GI tract. After the bleeding has stopped, stool may continue to appear black and tarry for several days. Possible causes of blood in the stool include: Bleeding ulcerGastritisEsophageal varices (enlarged veins)Tear in the esophagus from violent vomiting (Mallory-Weiss tear) Ulcer An ulcer is a type of sore on the stomach lining that can cause bleeding and melena. Contrary to popular belief, stomach ulcers are not usually caused by stress or spicy food, although these can aggravate an already existing ulcer. In fact, stomach ulcers are usually caused by an infection with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Long-term use of pain medications, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is another cause of stomach ulcers. NSAIDs include common over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin. Some NSAIDs are prescribed by healthcare providers. NSAIDs can irritate the stomach by weakening the lining's ability to resist acid made in the stomach. For this same reason, NSAIDs have an adverse effect on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—conditions that cause ulcers and inflammation of the GI tract. Gastritis Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. This inflammation can be caused by too much alcohol, eating spicy foods, smoking, infection with bacteria, or prolonged use of NSAIDs. Gastritis can also develop after surgery or trauma or may be associated with already existing medical conditions. Gastritis left untreated can lead to stomach ulcers and other complications. Some people have no symptoms. Acute, suddenly occurring cases of gastritis may only result in tarry, black stool. Persistent bleeding can lead to more severe symptoms like: Abdominal painLightheadednessNauseaVomitingIndigestion Symptoms of Gastritis Esophageal Varices Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the wall of the lower esophagus or upper stomach. When these veins rupture, they may cause bleeding and lead to blood in the stool or in vomit. Esophageal varices are serious complications resulting from high blood pressure brought on by cirrhosis of the liver. Most people with esophageal varices experience no symptoms unless the veins rupture. Symptoms of bleeding esophageal varices include: MelenaVomiting bloodLightheadednessFainting An Overview of Esophageal Varices Mallory-Weiss Tear Mallory-Weiss tear is a tear in the mucous membrane that joins the esophagus and the stomach. If this tear bleeds, it can result in melena. This condition is fairly rare. It only only occurs in about seven out of 100,000 people in the US and may be caused by violent vomiting, coughing, or epileptic convulsions. About 5% of people with a Mallory-Weiss tear do not survive. Like other conditions that cause melena, symptoms of a Mallory-Weiss tear may not be obvious. Along with tarry, black stool, some people may experience any of the following: Vomiting tarry blood Lightheadedness (presyncope) Shortness of breath (dyspnea) Diarrhea Abdominal pain Chest pain Recap Blood in the stool can be a serious concern. Blood in your bowel movements is usually caused by one of these conditions:Bleeding ulcers in the stomach liningInflammation of the stomach usually related to diet or medicationsBursting of enlarged veins in the wall of the lower esophagusTears in the membrane that separates the stomach from the esophagusDoctors may need to examine a sample of your stool or may need to insert a camera into your GI track to determine where the blood is coming from. Treatment Treatment of black stool depends on the cause. It can include both medications and procedures to stop the bleeding. Stomach Ulcers Stomach ulcers caused by an infection may be treated with antibiotics. Your healthcare provider may also recommend an acid reducer. Ulcers from NSAIDs usually heal after you stop taking the drug. Gastritis If your doctor suspects gastritis, they may prescribe: Antacids or proton pump inhibitors Antibiotics that treat H. pylori infection Sucralfate (a drug that helps the stomach heal by soothing irritation) If these treatments fail to resolve your symptoms, your healthcare provider may order an upper endoscopy to take a closer look at your stomach and small intestine. Esophageal Varices Esophageal varices requires immediate medical care to help stop the bleeding. Elastic bands may be wrapped around the varices to stop the flow of blood. Stents, tubes inserted to manage blood flow, may be used to lower blood pressure. That can reduce the amount of bleeding. Mallory-Weiss Tear In the case of a Mallory-Weiss tear, the tear heals on its own for most people. If it doesn't resolve itself, you may need treatment to seal the lesion. This may either take the form of a medication injected internally, or a heat therapy known as electrocoagulation. Summary Black stool isn't always a sign of a bigger health problem. Your poop may look black as a result of food you ate or iron supplements you took. If that's the case, the color of your poop will return to normal within a day or so. If it doesn't, and if you cannot trace it back to something you have eaten, ask yourself: Does the stool have a tarry appearance, somewhat like coffee grounds?Is there an especially foul smell that has not gone away?Does my medical history place me at risk for gastrointestinal bleeding? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, or if you're experiencing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or lightheadedness, you should contact your doctor. The Meaning of Poop Colors, Shapes, Sizes, and Consistency Frequently Asked Questions Is black, tarry stool an emergency? Not necessarily. Dark-colored stool may just be the result of food you ate or supplements you took. However, if you notice blood in your bowel movement, if you vomit blood, or if you feel dizzy, you should contact your doctor right away. Can dehydration cause black stool? Usually, dehydration isn't the cause of black stool. Instead, dehydration can lead to constipation and cause hard, lumpy poop. Learn More: What to Do When You Have Hard Stools Can liver disease cause black stool? Yes. Liver disease can damage the veins that move blood into the liver and may cause pressure to build up in these veins. The veins then burst, allowing blood to get into your GI tract. This bleeding can be serious, so you should talk to a doctor right away. Learn More: What You Need to Know About Cirrhosis Is it normal for a newborn’s poop to be black? Yes. For the first two days, your baby’s bowel movements may be black and tarry. This is called meconium, and it's totally normal. With these early poops, babies are clearing out the substances that were in their intestines. Learn More: A Guide to Newborn and Infant Poop 11 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cotter J, Baldaia C, Ferreira M, Macedo G, Pedroto I. Diagnosis and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in gastrointestinal bleeding: A systematic review. World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(45):7242-7257. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i45.7242 MedlinePlus. Black or Tarry Stools. Kim BS, Li BT, Engel A, et al. Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: A practical guide for clinicians. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(4):467-78. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467 John Hopkins Medicine. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment of Gastritis & Gastropathy. Ljubičić N, Budimir I, Pavić T, et al. Mortality in high-risk patients with bleeding Mallory–Weiss syndrome is similar to that of peptic ulcer bleeding. Results of a prospective database study. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014;49(4):458-464. doi:10.3109/00365521.2013.846404 John Hopkins Medicine. Mallory-Weiss Tear. Cleveland Clinic. Esophageal varices. Kim HS. Endoscopic management of mallory-weiss tearing. Clin Endosc. 2015;48(2):102-105. doi:10.5946/ce.2015.48.2.102 Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Bloody or Tarry Stools. Singh A, Mittal M. Neonatal microbiome – a brief review. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2020;33(22):3841-3848. doi:10.1080/14767058.2019.1583738 By Amber J. Tresca Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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