Normally, stool color can range from dark brown to yellowish brown. This is determined by the presence in it of processed bile and undigested food particles, which the person used during the last two or three days. Not characteristic of a healthy person is feces of very dark, black or dark green color, unless it is related to food intake, which can affect the color change of feces, as well as the intake of certain medications. Consider what food and medications contribute to the darkening of the feces, and under what diseases the feces get dark green or black.
Physiological causes of dark stool color
Let's list the food products, the use of which almost always causes a darkening of the feces:
- red table beet;
- prune;
- red grape varieties;
- Garnet;
- blueberry;
- black currant;
- by-products;
- blood sausage, etc.
Trying to determine what the dark color of the stool says, you should pay attention not only to the dietary intake in recent days, but also to other changes in the body. If there are no other alarming symptoms, and one of the above products was present in the diet, there is nothing to worry about.
Also staining of feces in a dark color can be provoked by the reception of some pharmaceutical products, namely:
- Activated carbon;
- preparations of bismuth;
- preparations of iron ;
- vitamin and mineral complexes, etc.
As a rule, a possible change in the color of stool when taking medication is warned in the instructions attached to them.
Pathological causes of dark stool color
To cause concern is the appearance of feces of dark color, which is not associated with the intake of products and medications that can stain the stool. If dark feces are associated with any pathologies, it can persist for several days or be observed periodically. In this case, other pathological signs are also often noted. In such cases it is necessary to consult a doctor and carry out a diagnosis to find out why the feces have acquired a dark color and to prescribe the appropriate treatment. Consider what in most cases means a dark color of stool, associated with pathological conditions of the body.
In many cases, the very dark and black color of the stool indicates bleeding. Most often this occurs with internal bleeding from the stomach, esophagus or intestines, which provokes:
- peptic ulcer;
- oncology;
- the presence of polyps;
- varicose veins of the esophagus.
Also, stool darkening can be with other diseases accompanied by bleeding of the upper gastrointestinal tract:
- gastritis;
- esophagitis;
- histoplasmosis;
- diverticulum of the intestine;
- ulcerative colitis ;
- ankylostomiasis and others.
Other symptoms in such cases may occur:
- pallor;
- dizziness;
- weakness, etc.
To provoke internal bleeding can also take some medications that reduce blood clotting (Aspirin, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, etc.). Less often, dark feces can be associated with a large number of swallowed blood in nasal or with oral bleeding, with trauma.
The appearance of a dark green liquid stool often indicates intestinal infections. In this case, soon other signs join this symptom:
- increased body temperature;
- abdominal pain;
- nausea;
- vomiting.
Dark feces with a greenish tinge of normal consistency can be observed with various liver diseases associated with a decrease in its functional activity:
- hepatosis;
- hepatitis;
- cirrhosis;
- fibrosis and others.
This is due to the insufficient utilization of hemoglobin by the liver and the release of iron compounds into the duodenum. Symptoms such as:
- pain in the right hypochondrium;
- bitter taste in the mouth;
- nausea.