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What Causes Black Colored Stools?

what is the reason motion color becomes black? recently i am taking to improve hemoclobin in my blood, so i will have dates, carrots, apples,vitamin sryup, and dates sryup with horlicks,,, is that any other particular reason for changing color, or any diseases? Bala
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Sun, 11 Jun 2017 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 12 Jun 2017 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello,

Black colored stools are due to excessive iron that is chemically altered to black color in the intestines. Since you are taking dates and dates juice which is very high in iron, it can cause stools to appear black. Another common reason is bleeding in gastrointestinal tract and can be due to gastric or duodenal ulcer or any other condition that causes bleeding.

I would advise you the following in such a situation:
• Send the stool for routine tests as well as for occult blood.
• Stop dates and anything that has high iron contents.
• If occult blood is positive then upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy.
• Get started on a PPI like Pantoprazole and antacids, and have soft bland diet in vegetarian format.
• Continue additional treatment as would be advised by your doctor.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T Chandrakant
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What Causes Black Colored Stools?

Hello, Black colored stools are due to excessive iron that is chemically altered to black color in the intestines. Since you are taking dates and dates juice which is very high in iron, it can cause stools to appear black. Another common reason is bleeding in gastrointestinal tract and can be due to gastric or duodenal ulcer or any other condition that causes bleeding. I would advise you the following in such a situation: • Send the stool for routine tests as well as for occult blood. • Stop dates and anything that has high iron contents. • If occult blood is positive then upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy. • Get started on a PPI like Pantoprazole and antacids, and have soft bland diet in vegetarian format. • Continue additional treatment as would be advised by your doctor. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T Chandrakant