Hi there!
The occurrence of black/ brown stools is known as melaena and indicates the presence of blood (oxidized haemoglobin) from an upper GI bleed or the presence of a coloring agent like beet root or iron supplements in it. With associated dark coloured vomit, this is likely to be an upper GI bleed. The causes could be infections, parasitic infestations, GI inflammations, gastric/ GI ulcers, oesophageal varices, GI growths/ polyps, diverticulosis, fistulas, fissures, AV malformation, GI ischaemia and necrosis, initial symptom of necrotizing enterocolitis, colon cancer etc. If there are no other associated symptoms, all these reasons would have to be looked into, during an evaluation and ruled out. I would suggest visiting a gastroenterologist for the same. An evaluation may require a complete physical examination and tests such as routine blood tests, stool examination, haematocrit, imaging studies, UGI endoscopy, colonoscopy etc. After the cause of bleeding is diagnosed; a treatment plan can be chalked out accordingly.
Hope this helps.
Take care!
yeah, thats great, thanks for the information.
I have had stools that some times float the submerged part seems brown as normal, but the exposed part to the air part of the stool tends to be very darkish brown. Is this the same as having black stools, they seem very normal just the parts that get exposed to the air have a different tone, hoping it might be due to greater oxidization. I don't have any stomach pains or nausea. Should i be alarmed by this, as i said i'm waiting for my appointment with the gastroenterologist which could be a few weeks yet but i'm not in any pain