Dark Spots in Feces: Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry

Dark Spots in Feces Faeces is disturbing, especially when you don’t understand if these spots are food, blood, or medicines. Needless to say, the nature and colour of stools vary according to what you eat, the pace at which it moves through the digestive system, and substances produced during digestion. Small dark particles may be harmless, but if your stool color/appearance suddenly changes and persists for a few days consistently, you may need medical attention.

If you have this concern in the USA, you should approach a physician to evaluate this unusual change in bowel movement. Discuss the appearance of the stool, any suspected symptoms, food you ate in the last few days, medicines in use, and medical history. This seems more like an issue when the person notices isolated dark particles (much different from regular stool) that are sticky, evenly black, and tar-like. These signs should not be ignored as they may represent a severe health problem. Let’s learn more about this.

What Do Dark Spots in Faeces Mean?

Dark spots in stool can have different meanings. They may represent food containing dark pigments or undigested seeds. At times, undigested fibrous particles may appear as small black, brown, or dark-red spots flushed by the digestive tract. Such a possibility also prevails after using certain medicines or supplements that change the colour of the stools. For instance, iron supplements often make stool appear black or dark. Drugs containing Bismuth may also temporarily darken bowel movements.

Don’t simply judge the abnormality by stool colour; observe overall appearance. If tiny particles are visible separately, then don’t perceive the entire stool as dark or tarry. Sometimes, it represents melena (sticky, black & foul-smelling stool) showing up when blood has been digested after passing through the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Moreover, you should not worry about the dark appearance of the stool unless it is persistent. A single stool appearing dark may probably be the food you ate last or a day before.

If persistent black stools happen with dizziness, blood in vomits, weakness, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss, then see your doctor anytime soon.

Common Causes of Dark Spots in Stool

Several dark stool causes range from harmless dietary changes to severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Commonly, people may notice black stools due to the food they ate last. For instance, leafy greens, blueberries, blackberries, seeds, foods with dark-coloured skins, etc. Some individuals may notice black spots in stool that aren’t anything but undigested food, like tough food skins, fibrous particles, or seeds. The likelihood remains when you eat too quickly or don’t chew it thoroughly, further increasing the possibility of seeing undigested food in stools.

As discussed above, it could be because of some medicines or supplements you’re taking. Mainly, iron or Bismuth. The stool colour returns to normal when you discontinue using these drugs/supplements. Try to distinguish between temporary color/stool appearance changes and significant/consistent changes to seek medical help promptly.

Can Dark Spots in Stool Be a Sign of Blood?

Yes. Dark flecks in stool may sometimes be a sign of blood, particularly old bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, i.e. passed down by the stomach or duodenum.

It is important to understand when it may be blood, and here are the former possibilities.

• Changed appearance that appears like small coffee grounds or dark specks mixed into stools
• Potential irritations after using certain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), ulcers, or any kind of GI inflammation
• Unexplained weight loss or changed bowel habits
• Sudden stomach pain/cramps or severe abdominal pain
• Unusual symptoms like weakness, fatigue, or unexplained dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat

Foods That Can Cause Dark Spots in Feces

Here are the top examples of undigested food in stool that may appear as dark spots or change the entire faecal colour.

• Dark leafy vegetables
• Blueberries
• Black berries
• Sesame, chia, or any dark seeds
• Foods or fruits with dark skin
• Any food containing dark colour additive
• Some high-fibre vegetables or plant substances

Such dark spots may be considered a warning sign only if appearing consistently as black or tarry, followed by discomforting symptoms. Consult your healthcare provider and discuss related concerns instead of making assumptions/starting treatment on your own.

Medications and Supplements That Can Darken Stool

Stool colour changes seem common after using certain medicines or supplements. One example of the former is iron supplements. Iron can make stools appear dark brown, black, or dark green. If you notice darker stool after using an iron supplement, you know what the cause is. Similarly, Bismuth-containing drugs (which are indicated for improving digestive upset or diarrhoea) can also turn the stool black. This discolouration is temporary, though.

Certain medications increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding without directly turning the stool black. For instance, NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. They may cause GI irritations or ulcers in some patients. Blood thinners may also increase the risk of GI bleeding.

If you notice stool colour changes after starting treatment with any medicines, don’t discontinue without medical help.

Dark Spots in Faeces with Other Symptoms

The black specks in stool may seem less concerning unless other symptoms co-occur. While we’ve discussed possibilities of seeing isolated dark particles, the associated symptoms may be an early sign of a major health problem. Here are the symptoms to watch for.

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Extreme weakness
• Unusual/persistent fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes in bowel habits
• Rapid heartbeat
• Severe abdominal pain
• Signs of anaemia (may be related to GI bleeding)
• Black or tarry stools that appear like coffee grounds

How Are Dark Spots in Stool Evaluated?  

Only a healthcare provider can help in determining if the nature or appearance of your stool is normal. See your doctor if you suspect any abnormality. Discuss when the changes started, how frequently they occur, what the stool looks like, etc. Also share if you remember any recent changes in diet, started using any medicines or supplements, etc.

The physician shall assess your overall health conditions and medical history to identify the core concern. If required, they shall conduct GI testing (particularly when the patient has unexplained bleeding complaints).

How to prevent or manage dark spots in stool

For preventing dark spots in stools, it is essential to identify the underlying black stool causes first. The key is to identify patterns. If you notice changes, particularly after eating certain foods and the stool colour returns to normal after a day or two, it is the food particles causing dark stools. When you didn’t eat any such dark-coloured fruits or vegetables but are on treatment with any medicines, then the possibility still prevails. However, if you are not on treatment with any medicines, nor have you eaten any such food recently, but are seeing black/tarry/abnormally foul-smelling stool, then you may need medical help.

Conclusion

Dark spots in faeces can occur due to several factors. The major causes can be recent food intake, medicines or supplements, or undigested food items. It is mostly concerning only if isolated black particles in stool appear persistently alongside unusual symptoms discussed in the blog; seek medical help right away. Don’t self-medicate or assume any severe health concern on your own.

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