Stool color indicates the human intestinal condition. It is influenced by the food we eat and the amount of bile produced. When the food and bile pigments travel through the gastrointestinal tract, through the mouth to rectum, react chemically with enzymes, thus causing stool to have a color. While brown or green color is considered normal, black stool indicates bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, which consists of esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. There are various black stool symptoms, but first, let us have a look at the causes of black stool.
Causes of black stool
The basic cause of black stools is bleeding. The bleeding may happen due to various reasons which include,
- Peptic ulcer
This condition has a cut in the inner lining of the stomach, a part of the small intestine or lower esophagus. These ulcers, leading to bleeding, is mainly caused by stomach infection by the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. - Malignant tumors
Cancer affecting the esophagus, small intestine or stomach may also result in bleeding of gastro intestine. - Gastritis
It is the inflammation of stomach lining causing abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. Severe condition leads to bleeding in stomach causing black stools. - Colorectal cancer
This tumor starts developing in the colon or rectum. The bleeding in rectum will cause a change in the color of the stool. - Dietary Causes
The food consumed can also cause stool to appear black or tarry. Eating red or black food, like beetroot, blueberries, and black licorice, causes stool to appear black. - Other causes
Few other causes of intestinal bleeding include stomach cancer, colitis, hemorrhoids, and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
Black stool symptoms
The symptoms of the black stool are associated with the primary causes itself.
- Peptic ulcers show symptoms like changes in appetite, nausea, unexplained weight loss, and vomiting.
- Burning sensation and pain in the abdomen are also black stool symptoms.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding leads to bloating or swelling of the abdomen.
- Indigestion causes chest pain, tiredness, and nausea are also considered as symptoms of black stool.
- Damage to the lining of the stomach or intestine can also develop fever, disrupted breathing, feeling of lethargy, and diarrhea.
- Benign tumors also show symptoms like unexplained weight loss, abdominal cramps, constant bloating, and loss of appetite.
Treatment and prevention
Black stool is considered a medical condition caused by bleeding in gastro intestine and hence requires medical attention to prevent any potential emergencies. Treatment for black stool varies according to the cause of the problem. This condition can be prevented by including fiber-rich food in diet and drinking plenty of water.
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Here’s what you need to know about osteoporosis tests
Read moreOsteoporosis is a form of arthritis that causes the bones to weaken, which makes them increasingly fragile and highly prone to fractures. It is estimated that around two million fractures are caused by this condition annually. Although osteoporosis can affect any bone, it is usually observed in body parts like wrist, spine, and hip. Almost 80 percent of the osteoporosis patients are postmenopausal women. This is because, during menopause, a woman’s body experiences a significant hormonal change. Therefore, it is essential for women over 65 to get osteoporosis assessments on a regular basis.
How often should you get screened for osteoporosis?
The osteoporosis testing frequency depends on multiple factors like age, gender, underlying medical conditions, medical and family history. For example, if you are a woman in your 60s in the post-menopause phase with vitamin D deficiency, then you should get osteoporosis testing done every year. On the other hand, if you are a healthy woman in your postmenopausal phase, then you should get osteoporosis testing done in every two years.Moreover, osteoporosis testing is not only valuable for identifying the condition but also for monitoring it. If you are already dealing with osteoporosis, then the doctor might ask you to get screened in every few months to keep an eye on the progress of the condition and how well are the treatments working against it.
What does osteoporosis testing involve?
After you have discussed your symptoms, medical and family history with the doctor, a physical exam will be performed. If the doctor suspects any anomalies, she or he will recommend you with the following two tests for osteoporosis.- Bone density evaluation Like the name suggests, the bone density evaluation (DEXA test dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) gauges if the mass inside the bone tissue has reduced.
- Urine and blood exam Such type of tests allow the doctors to verify if bone loss is occurring due to an underlying health condition.
Likewise, QCT (quantitative computed tomography) is typically used for assessing any changes in the spine, however, it can detect bone changes in any part of the body. QCT for bone loss is done to review the effectiveness of the osteoporosis treatments.
Do insurance companies cover osteoporosis testing?
Yes, insurance providers like Medicare will cover expenses for osteoporosis testing like DEXA in every two years for:- Women who are 65 years or above
- Men who are 70 years or above
For younger patients, any private insurance company will cover the screening costs if they:
- Have suffered a low impact fracture in past.
- Are battling a disease linked to bone loss.
- Have been taking medications associated with bone loss.
- Are already fighting osteoporosis.
- Are receiving cancer treatments.
- Are eligible for an osteoporosis treatment.
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3 effective tips to quit smoking completely
Read morePeople pick up unhealthy habits due to a variety of reasons; it can either be peer pressure or some personal issue that forces them into developing this habit. One such addiction that claims 480,000 lives every year is smoking. Smoking is a highly-addictive habit that poses a great threat to the individual who smokes and those in the vicinity of smokers. In fact, passive smoking or secondhand smoking has resulted in about 41,000 deaths every year.
So, if a loved one is trying to kick the butt, they’ll need all they can get. Here are some handy tips that will help people quit smoking effectively.
Gear up before going “cold turkey”
One cannot quit smoking simply by throwing away the cigarettes out. Smoking is an addiction and it affects the brain as well. The brain becomes addicted to the nicotine, and without it, the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms. Which is why it is imperative to make arrangements in advance as the individual will need support to get through this phase. So, it is sensible to ask the doctor for ways to cope with the withdrawal symptoms, or join some quit-smoking classes, establish a solid support system, counseling, or opting for hypnosis or medication.Opt for nicotine replacement therapy
When someone decides to quit smoking, the nicotine withdrawal can give them headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. The craving will hit them hard, and the urge for “one last drag” will make all the efforts futile. If this is the case, opting for nicotine replacement therapy can help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy includes nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and lozenges, and these will improve one’s chances of quitting smoking successfully.Avoid alcohol and other triggers
Alcohol is known to weaken one’s resolve as people under the influence of alcohol aren’t capable of making sound decisions. It is harder to stick to the goal of quitting smoking if one consumes alcohol. So, it is imperative to try and limit the alcohol intake in the beginning, and stop it completely as the journey to quit smoking progresses. Instead of drinking alcohol, one can switch to tea for a few weeks and the urge to drink will subside eventually.Adhering to these tips to quit smoking will require a lot of conviction and willpower, and even if the individual fails the first time, the resolve to kick the butt should make them try harder the next time.