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Tarry stool, i.e. black stool, resembling tar, not only on the surface, but also in its entire mass, more or less dense consistency, sticking to the base of the vessel into which it was placed, indicates bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. It is formed due to the degradation of hemoglobin.
The stool of the pitchfork…
Tar stool is black feces that resembles tar, not only on the surface, but also in all its consistency and weight. This type of stool is often indicative of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and the accompanying blood in the stool may suggest the presence of, for example, esophageal varices. So blood is the main factor in making stools black tarry in color. Even a small amount of blood in your stool will change its color as the gut bacteria act on the blood to turn it black.
How is stool formed?
The stool is made up of undigested food debris in the large intestine. In addition to undigested food, stool also contains water and bacteria. It is considered correct to pass 1-2 stools a day, which of course depends on the number of meals consumed and the lifestyle, physical activity and the speed of gastrointestinal passage. Normal stool is one that is not too hard or watery in consistency, and has no visible traces of food or fresh blood. The correct color of the stool is brown, and any change in color and consistency indicates abnormalities and ailments of the digestive tract.
Tarry stool is often a concern among patients, which is a fair response as black stools indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
The causes of tarry stool
In the past, it was believed that tarry stools are formed only as a result of the action of hydrochloric acid on the blood contained in them. So they could only occur with gastric or duodenal bleeding. There is currently a theory that tarry stools are a consequence of the action of intestinal bacteria, gastric juice, or digestive enzymes on the blood. As a result, tarry stools are formed, which may be of a solid or solid consistency. If bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract is heavy, the stools will become diarrhea as the blood makes the bowels move faster.
A cause of tarry stools with blood may be:
- anal cancer,
- gastritis,
- hemorrhoids,
- anal fissure.
As mentioned above, tarry stool is formed as a result of gastrointestinal bleeding, when at least 100 ml of blood enters the intestines. The most common causes of bleeding are:
- esophageal reflux
- hemorrhagic gastropathy,
- rupture of esophageal varices,
- Malory-Weiss syndrome involving longitudinal rupture of the esophageal mucosa within the gastric cardia; vomiting occurs.
What can tarry stools indicate?
Very often, tarry stools are accompanied by additional symptoms in the form of black vomiting, mucus in the stool, e.g. haemorrhoids and blood in the stool, also visible on the toilet paper. Tarry stools with an admixture of blood may indicate bleeding from the caecum, the lower gastrointestinal tract. This usually happens when the bleeding is light and the intestinal content passes slowly. In addition, black stools can be a sign of colon cancer. In children, these types of stools may be a consequence of damage to the colon mucosa during defecation.
Other causes of melaena
- taking iron preparations,
- use of medicated charcoal,
- eating spinach, blueberries, beets or cherries,
- taking bismuth,
- intestinal ischemia,
- incorrect structure of the veins.
Other stool colors
It is not only tarry stool that causes concern. In addition to him, stools are also observed yellow, White and green. White stool is the most common symptom of jaundice, while yellow stool may be a symptom of cholangitis or cholelithiasis. On the other hand, the presence of green stool is a bit more difficult because it may be related to diseases in the body, but it does not have to. It is often a symptom of parasitic and bacterial intestinal infections; malabsorption syndrome; celiac disease and pseudomembranous enteritis. On the other hand, a greasy stool with an aqueous consistency and an unpleasant smell may herald, for example, intestinal diseases or pancreatic cancer.
Tarry stool and diagnostics
The presence of tarry stools is an absolute indication for extended diagnostics. Initially, the association of tarry stools with blood in the gastrointestinal tract should be ruled out. For this purpose, a fecal occult blood test is performed, which is a non-invasive test that detects even a small amount of blood. This test comes in two types, either with tissue paper or traditionally as the guaiacol test. The first one is available at a pharmacy without a prescription and can be made at home. However, the latter is performed in a laboratory and its results are analyzed by qualified persons. The next diagnostic step is to perform a blood count.
A positive result of the occult blood test is an indication for kolonoskopii. This examination involves the insertion of an endoscope with an optical fiber and a feeder into the large intestine through the anus. Another study may be gastroscopywhere the endoscope is inserted into the stomach through the mouth and esophagus.
Tarry stool – how to treat?
Tarry stools or blood-filled stools are treated depending on the cause. In patients with homorrhoids, stool softeners are prescribed or recommended use of siphons to reduce pain and prevent bleeding. Specialists also prescribe the patients preparations in the form of antibiotics or immunosuppressive drugs, which are designed to relieve intestinal inflammation and various infections. Surgery is sometimes necessary, especially in patients with vein abnormalities in whom bleeding does not stop spontaneously.
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