What Causes Black Stools After A Head Injury?

Posted on Wed, 7 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 7 Mar 2018 Answered on

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had a very bad fall. Landing on the back of my head on cement. I was suffering from loose bowls for 4 days after the fall. Today I have normal stools but they are black...should I be concerned?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
if using pepto or iron tabs, can monitor

Detailed Answer:

HI,

Though it is possible that the dark/black stool is not due to a serious condition, it may be best that you are assessed unless you have been using meds that may have caused it.

Black/dark stool can be due to--
(1)using iron supplements
(2)using pepto bismol,
(3)blood in the stool- as it passes through the intestines, turns the stool black if you have been using any of the two meds, iron tabs or pepto (for the loose stool), then that would be the likely cause.

You would monitor to see if improves or if there are additional symptoms such as shortness of breath or weakness (eg would occur if losing blood in the stool).

I hope that helps.

Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar