What Causes Dark Stools?
Bloody stools often are a sign of an injury or disorder in the digestive tract. Your doctor may use the term "melena" to describe black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools or "hematochezia" to describe red- or maroon-colored stools.
Alternative Names
Stools - bloody; Hematochezia; Melena; Stools - black or tarry
Considerations
Blood in the stool may come from anywhere along your digestive tract, from mouth to anus. It may be present in such small amounts that you...
Read moreMore information on "What Causes Dark Stools?"
From Our Experts
Understanding Changes in Stool
Changes in bowel movements can be concerning, but how do you know when and if you need to seek help? A change in bowel movements can be... Read more »
From Our Sources
Dark winter days cause insomnia, depression for some
With winter's shorter daylight hours, many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is marked by depression and sleep problems.... Read more »
The Dark Side of Nutrition: The Health Benefits of Dark Chocol...
Chocolate is so adored that some of us will do almost anything to attain it — from bribing our spouses to go on late-night chocolate runs, to... Read more »
Stools: floating
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Stools that float are usually due to poor absorption (malabsorption) of nutrients or excessive gas (flatus).Alternative NamesFloating... Read more »
Stool C. difficile toxin
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
The stool C. difficile toxin test detects harmful substances produced by the bacterium Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) in a stool sample. This... Read more »
Flushable reagent stool blood test
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Stool occult blood test - flushable home test; Fecal occult blood test - flushable home test Normal Values A negative result is normal. ... Read more »
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
