It’s also possible the color could be due to something you ate.
Foods with artificial colors are a common culprit.
Certain supplements, like iron, may also cause discolored stools.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Red or black stools could be brought on by bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
In some instances, it may be an indication of a serious condition likecolon cancer.
However, it is more likely to be related to easily treated problems likehemorrhoids.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Does Blood in Stool Mean?
Blood in the stool takes place if you havebleeding along the gastrointestinal tract.
Causes of Black Blood in Stool
Black, tar-like stool resulting from GI bleeding is calledmelena.
True melena is not only black but foul-smelling as well.
If you have melena, your doctor may order afecal occult blood test.
This will help determine how much blood is in your stool.
The following conditions affect the upper GI tract so they may cause black blood in the stool.
Bleeding Ulcer
An ulcer is a sore anywhere along the lining of the stomach or intestine.
Ulcers can sometimes bleed.
Ulcers usually have one of two causes:
Gastritis
Gastritisis an inflammation of the stomach lining.
It can have various causes, including:
Certain medical conditions can also lead to gastritis.
These include:
Bleeding in the Esophagus
A few medical conditions can cause bleeding in the esophagus.
It is important to find the cause of the bleeding.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a common source of bright red blood in the stool or on toilet paper.
These are enlarged veins in the rectal area that may burst and bleed.
Hemorrhoids are not usually serious.
They can often be treated with over-the-counter medications.
Hemorrhoids that won’t heal may need to be seen by a doctor.
Prescription medication can help.
Anal Fissure
An anal fissure is a tear or ulcer in the lining of the anal canal.
The anal canal is the last part of the rectum before the anus.
Anyone can get fissures, but they are most common in middle-aged people and young adults.
Fissures can cause bright red bleeding.
They usually heal with home care.
Colon Polyps and Colon Cancer
Colon polypscan also cause red blood in the stool.
Polyps are growths on the inside of the colon.
Sometimes they can turn into colon cancer.Colon cancer may also cause blood in the stool.
Blood from these sources is not always visible in or on the stool.
Blood that isn’t visible is called occult blood.
A fecal occult blood test looks for this kind of blood.
This test may be done to screen for colon cancer.
Diverticular diseasecan also cause red blood in the stool.
Diverticula are pouches that form in the wall of the colon.
People with this condition may have large amounts of blood in the stool.
Other Causes of Discolored Stools
Foods are a frequent cause of discolored stools.
This is especially true for foods that contain artificial colors.
However, because being on antibiotics can cause an infection of the intestinal tract calledC.
difficile,always call your healthcare provider if your baby has red stools.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Blood in the stool may not always be serious.
Still, it is important to have this symptom checked out by a healthcare provider.
This is true even when you already have a diagnosis of IBD or another chronic illness.
Blood in the stool may mean your treatment needs to be changed.
If there is extreme pain and blood loss, go to the emergency room or call 911.
Summary
Red or black stools could be because of something harmless, like food or a supplement.
Sometimes, though, it can be brought on by bleeding somewhere in your GI tract.
Stomach problems like ulcers and gastritis may cause black stools.
Bleeding in the esophagus can also cause this.
Red blood in stool is resulting from bleeding lower in the GI tract.
Hemorrhoids and anal fissures can cause it.
Always see a healthcare provider if you notice blood in your stool.
Roath MC, Di Palma JA.Correspondence: cefdinir and red stool.Gastroenterol Hepatol.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.Stomach (gastric) cancer.
In:Avoiding Misdiagnosis in Pediatric Practice.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastrointestinal bleeding or blood in the stool.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
