Understanding Dark Tarry Stools in Pictures
Noticing dark sticky poop in the toilet can be alarming. Known medically as melena, dark tarry stools indicate internal bleeding in the upper digestive tract that needs prompt evaluation.
Keep reading for a pictorial guide explaining dark bloody poop. Learn what causes it, when to seek emergency care, and how doctors diagnose and treat gastrointestinal bleeding based on stool appearance.
What Are Tarry Stools?
Tarry stools refer to abnormally dark, foul-smelling poop that looks sticky and tar-like. This is due to the presence of partially digested blood, medically termed hematochezia.
What Causes Dark Tarry Stools?
When blood accumulates in the stomach or first part of the small intestine, it turns stool black and tarry. Causes include:
- Ulcers
- Tears in the esophagus, stomach lining or duodenum
- Blood vessel abnormalities
- Swallowing blood from mouth/nose bleeds
Identifying Dark Tarry Stool Pictures
Compare your poop to these images showing what dark tarry stools look like. Notice the abnormal blackish color and viscous, sticky texture.
Melena Stool Pictures
This image shows extremely dark bowel movement indicative of melena or upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The poop is black and tar-like with a sticky appearance.
Partially Digested Blood Pictures
This poop contains visible dark red flecks of partially digested blood mixed within the black sticky stool. This blood has accumulated in the stomach before moving through the intestines.
Upper GI Bleeding Pictures
In this picture, the dark black sticky melena indicates bleeding in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum which was partially digested before showing up in stool several days later.
What Other Stool Changes Suggest Bleeding?
Alongside dark stool, look out for these other visual symptoms of Gastrointestinal bleeding:
Red or Maroon Stool
Bright red poop indicates active bleeding lower in the colon or rectum. This blood has not had time to digest and turns stool red or maroon.
Black Stool
Not quite as dark and sticky as melena, blackish poop can indicate blood higher up being digested by intestinal bacteria which turn it blackish green.
Lightheadedness with Bowel Movements
Feeling dizzy or fainting while trying to have a bowel movement signals significant blood loss through stool.
When Should I Seek Emergency Care?
Most instances of dark tarry stools require prompt medical assessment. Seek emergency care if you experience:
Severe Abdominal Pain
Intense stomach pain alongside melena can signal dangerous bleeding from a ruptured ulcer or severely inflamed intestine.
Rapid Heart Rate
A racing pulse over 100 bpm indicates significant blood loss leading to circulatory changes.
Fainting
Passing out or feeling extremely dizzy and sweaty during a bowel movement is very serious and requires immediate treatment.
No Upper GI Symptoms
Dark, tar-like stool with no other gastrointestinal discomfort may reflect a more chronic illness.
What Tests Diagnose Dark Tarry Stool Causes?
Doctors use various tests to pinpoint the cause of melena or dark bloody stool:
Blood Tests
Blood work evaluates for anemia and illuminates how much blood you have lost internally over time.
Stool Testing
A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) directly checks for hidden blood in your poop.
Endoscopy & Colonoscopy
Gastroenterologists insert a flexible camera tube to visually inspect your upper and lower GI tract for any bleeding lesions.
Angiography
This special x-ray examines the blood vessels supplying your digestive organs for abnormalities like aneurysms, inflamed blood vessels or tumors.
How Doctors Treat Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Treatment for dark tarry stools involves:
Hospitalization
Most patients with melena require hospitalization for close monitoring and fluid resuscitation.
Blood Transfusions
Severe anemia from chronic or heavy bleeding warrants blood transfusions to stabilize blood counts.
Endoscopic Therapies
Gastroenterologists use tools during endoscopy like heat coagulation, clipping and injection therapies to stop internal bleeding sites.
Medications
Drugs that reduce stomach acid production and promote healing of ulcers and damaged tissues can treat mild bleeding.
Surgery
For recurrent bleeding or hemorrhages unresponsive to endoscopy, urgent surgery repairs damaged blood vessels or removes sections of affected bowel.
What Is the Outlook for Dark Tarry Stools?
Prompt evaluation and compliance with treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding can lead to good outcomes preventing complications. However, recurrent bleeding or delays in therapies raise the risk of:
- Extensive blood loss
- Requiring multiple blood transfusions
- Heart and circulatory strain
- Hospital-acquired infections
- Sepsis
- Death in up to 10% of major upper GI bleeds
Catching the cause early makes bleeding gastrointestinal ulcers, lesions and arteriovenous malformations very treatable.
Can Dark Tarry Stools Come Back?
Those with a history of melena causing conditions like ulcers or vascular malformations require close monitoring for recurrence. Medications and lifestyle changes reduce risk of repeat episodes.
Follow up quickly on repeat symptoms of dark or bloody stools, however mild. Catching recurrences early is key to prevent complications of significant gastrointestinal bleeding.
FAQs
What does it mean when your poop is black and sticky?
Black, tarry, foul-smelling stools are called melena. This occurs from internal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, usually from ulcers or tears in the stomach lining. Dark sticky poop indicates the blood was partially digested before reaching stool.
When should you go to ER for bloody stool?
Seek emergency care for maroon/bright red stools alongside symptoms like severe abdominal pain, dizziness, rapid heart rate, or fainting. This signifies active heavy GI bleeding needing urgent evaluation to determine the cause and stop hemorrhaging.
Can Pepto Bismol make your poop black?
Yes, the bismuth in Pepto Bismol can turn stool dark black or gray. However, this medicine does not make stools tarry with a sticky texture. Evaluate any foul-smelling, sticky black poop for possible gastrointestinal bleeding.
What if my poop is dark brown, not black?
Dark or dull brown stool may reflect old blood from a slower upper GI bleed or intestinal source. Bring it up to your doctor, especially if you have other symptoms like abdominal cramping or constipation. Stool testing can check for hidden traces of blood.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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