What does it mean when your poop is dark dark brown?

The color is the result of what you eat and how much bile is in your stool. Bile is a fluid your liver makes to digest fats. It starts out as a yellowish green color. But as the pigments that give bile its color travel through your digestive system, they go through chemical changes and turn brown.

Should I be worried if my poop is dark brown?

All shades of brown and even green are considered normal. Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition. Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile — a yellow-green fluid that digests fats — in your stool.

Why is my poop black and my stomach hurts?

Blood exposed to gastric acids turns black and tarry (sticky). This is called melena and is a sign of an upper gastrointestinal bleed. Other signs that you have an ulcer include: Burning pain in your belly.

Can IBS cause dark stools?

“Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that includes abdominal pain, typically with either diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of both, but does not include black stool as a symptom,” Dr. Garza adds.

Is dark poop healthy?

Black stools are a worrisome symptom because it may be due to a large amount of bleeding into the digestive system, most often from the upper GI tract including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Red blood cells are broken down by digestive enzymes in the intestine and turn the stool black.

What does dark hard poop mean?

Stool that is almost black, dark, or tar-like with a thick consistency may mean there is bleeding in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract.17 Medical conditions that can cause dark, tar-like stool include duodenal or gastric ulcers, esophageal varices, a Mallory-Weiss tear, and gastritis.

Can gastroenteritis cause dark stools?

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following: Your symptoms get worse. Blood in your stool or your stools look black.

Is dark stool concerning?

Darkening of the stool may be a normal occurrence related to specific foods or medications; however, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition such as bleeding in the intestinal tract. When related to foods, blueberries, beets, or black licorice are often the cause.

Is dark brown poop normal Reddit?

The brown is also due to the presence of bilirubin, a product resulting from dead red blood cells being broken down in the intestine. All shades of brown and even green are considered normal.