Brief Answer:
There are advices given but it is best to see a doctor to rule out bleeding

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.

I carefully read your question and understand your councern.

Dark stools if they are dark black in color are called "melena" in medical terms. The most common cause of it is if there is some bleeding in the stomach. Sometimes if there is a stomach ulcer than the blood passing in bowel causes dark color to the stools. this does not happen if the bleeding happens in the big bowel or by the end of it.
If you have cyrrhosis and veins in the esophagus as complication of it can be another cause but this is mostly common in those patients with alcohol abuse and or Hepatitis B or C.


Every time a patient has dark black stools should go to see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Probably the tests that the doctors will do are gastroscopy that visualizes the stomach and the beginning of small bowel and if they find the bleeding during the procedure might also try to stop it. The endoscopy will also visualize the esophagus and detect veins there if they are present and bleeding.

Liver tests will be important in case there is a chance of liver damage due to alcohol or hepatitis, in this case I would recommend: ALT, AST, Bilirubine, proteine in blood (albumine), coagulation time, etc.

Some other test you will need is stools for fecal occult blood to confirm the presence of blood in the stools, complete blood count to check if you are anemic- this is a common complication of bleeding and if so you will need treatment with iron to help with it.

Another important examination is colonoscopy which is similar to gastroscopy but it visualizes the big bowel.

Medications that might help are Lansoprazole 1-2 times a day but i would not recommend you to self medicate as this might be dangerous.

Avoiding alcohol and smoking is very important also.
Avoid spicy, fried or fat food, avoid junk food and try to have frequent small amount of food and liquids during the day to help with possible stomach discomfort.

I hope this is helpful and answers to your quesion.
I wish you quick healing.

Kind Regards

Dr Antoneta Zotaj

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