Bowel Movements Turned Tarry? What It Can Mean and When to Get Checked
A reader wrote in asking why their bowel movements have turned tarry and stayed that way for a week. They wanted to know how long they should give it before seeing a doctor.
According to MedlinePlus, black or tarry stools with a foul smell can point to a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often means there may be bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or first part of the small intestine. The medical term for this is melena.
I get why someone might want to wait and see. Nobody wants to turn a bathroom change into a full medical drama. But a week of tarry stool is not something I’d brush off.
What tarry bowel movements mean
Tarry stool usually means stool that looks black, sticky, shiny, thick, and unusually dark. It may also have a very strong smell.
The Cleveland Clinic states that melena is black, tarry stool is caused by internal bleeding, usually from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Blood turns black because it has moved through the digestive system before leaving the body.
If you experience bright red blood in your stools, it often suggests bleeding lower in the digestive tract. Black, tarry stool can suggest bleeding higher up.
Possible causes to know
Other simple causes for this issue can be food or medication. WebMD states that black stool may come from dark foods, iron supplements, or medicines such as Pepto-Bismol.
MedlinePlus also lists black licorice, blueberries, blood sausage, iron pills, activated charcoal, and bismuth medicines as possible reasons stool can look black.
That’s the less scary side.
MedlinePlus also highlights that peptic ulcers are the most common cause of acute upper GI bleeding. Other possible causes include gastritis, abnormal blood vessels, a tear in the esophagus after violent vomiting, swollen veins in the esophagus or stomach, trauma, or cancer in parts of the upper digestive tract.
This is why you shouldn’t wait to have tests.
Other symptoms to watch for
Specific symptoms can help show how urgent the situation may be. The Cleveland Clinic states abdominal pain can point to a stomach issue like an ulcer or gastritis, while vomiting blood can also be a clue to bleeding in the stomach or esophagus.
Look out for dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, belly pain, vomiting blood, coffee-ground-looking vomit, fatigue, bloating, weight loss, or visible blood.
Ubie Health adds that black or tarry stool is more concerning when it appears with dizziness, fainting, weakness, abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, or visible blood.
When to see a doctor
For this reader, tarry bowel movements for a full week should be checked by a doctor now.
A doctor may ask about diet, supplements, medications, pain, vomiting, stool smell, and how long this has been happening. Testing may include stool tests, blood work, and imaging.
Before seeing a doctor, make a note of any medications you take so they have a clear picture of your health history. This includes blood thinners, aspirin, warfarin, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Xarelto, clopidogrel, ibuprofen, naproxen, and similar drugs.
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