Understanding Dark-Colored Stools: Causes and What to Do

A normal, healthy bowel movement is typically brown in color. However, if you notice that your stool appears unusually dark, there could be several possible explanations.

1. Dietary Influences: One of the most common reasons for a change in stool color is diet. Consuming foods rich in green or dark pigments—such as spinach, kale, or seaweed—can darken the color of your stool. This is a harmless and temporary effect.

2. Medications or Supplements: Certain medications, including iron supplements and bismuth-containing drugs (like Pepto-Bismol), can cause black or very dark stools. These changes are generally not a cause for concern and should resolve once the medication is discontinued.

3. Digestive System Imbalances: Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may lead to incomplete digestion of food, which can alter stool color. In such cases, additional symptoms like bloating, gas, or abdominal discomfort may also occur.

4. Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A more serious but less common cause of dark stools is gastrointestinal bleeding. Blood from the upper digestive tract can turn stool black and tarry, often described as "melena." If this symptom persists or recurs, it should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

In conclusion, if you're concerned about dark stools, it's advisable to undergo a simple stool test at a medical facility to check for occult (hidden) blood. If the discoloration is due to dietary or medicinal causes, it usually resolves within one to two days after stopping the trigger. For mild digestive discomfort, over-the-counter remedies such as digestive enzymes or probiotics may help improve symptoms. However, if the stool test returns positive for blood, it's important to see a doctor promptly for further evaluation and treatment under professional guidance.