DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m 86 years old and pass black stool. I went to several doctors. One told me to go to the local emergency room, which I did. They took X-rays and blood tests but couldn’t find the cause.
I’m on Enalapril, HCTZ, Requip, Simvastatin, Terazosin, Temazepan, Propoxyphene, aspirin, fish oil, and calcium daily.
What is causing the problem?
DEAR READER:
Whew, that’s a lot of medication.
There are numerous causes for black stool. For example, the condition often indicates a disorder or bleeding in the digestive tract. As a rule of thumb, black stool comes from the upper digestive tract, while red or maroon colored stool comes from lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Stomach ulcers caused by aspirin and ibuprofen are common causes of a GI bleed. Unless there is a reason for taking aspirin every day, you should probably discontinue it, at least for a trial period.
Other causes of dark stool can include the consumption of black licorice, blueberries, iron pills, Pepto-Bismol and similar medicines. Gastritis, trauma, hemorrhoids, intestinal infection, polyps, and other conditions will also cause stool to darken.
You need to be seen by your primary care physician. He or she can do a simple examination and a fecal blood test in the office. If the history given is suspicious or the fecal blood test results are positive, referral to a gastroenterologist would be appropriate. The specialist might choose to order blood work, stool culture, colonoscopy, tests for H-pylori infection, and more. Treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the bleed.
Make an appointment with your doctor and get to the bottom of the matter. You have several medical conditions on your plate already and certainly don’t need one more. While you are there, ask if any of your medications might be causing the problem and if so, can they be eliminated.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Medical Specialists”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
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