An unusual color of stool can be alarming, but it is not always a cause for concern. If fecal matter is dark black, tarry or bloody, especially on a recurrent basis, medical treatment is necessary. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM)...
Athletes use whey protein, normally found in cow’s milk, as a dietary supplement. Whey protein is also included in supplements for weight loss and in infant formula. The human body is able to absorb whey protein more efficiently than other...
Iron supplements are used to treat iron deficiency anemia. Iron tablets affect your bowel habits and the color of your stools. Color change is normal, and some health professionals feel this is a good sign your supplement is working properly. If...
A child with black stool can lead parents to wonder if something is seriously wrong. Although black stools may look startling, they may not be the result of significant illness. Various factors can cause a black stool, and parents must consider...
Although bathroom habits are typically a private matter, you might occasionally need to go public with your poop color. Typically, a healthy stool is brown and has a soft, formed consistency. When your stool turns bloody or black, it could...
Most people don't need to take iron supplements. However, if your doctor has diagnosed you with iron deficiency anemia, you'll likely need to remedy the problem by supplementing your iron intake. When you do, expect to see black spots in your...
Iron supplements are generally safe for consumption, but may have unpleasant side effects. Iron tablets invariably affect stools. Some level of color change in the stool is normal, but there are certain variations in feces that are cause for...
Black, tarry stools are the result of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Specifically, they may originate from the stomach, the esophagus or the upper portion of the small intestine. The bowel movement appears to look like black, soft tar as...
Blood in the stool is never normal. The symptom is known as hematochezia, which means the stools are red or maroon colored. Hematochezia should always be reported to a doctor, as it can indicate a serious health condition or injury. Blood can come...
Because of the short time food spends in the digestive tract of a baby, your child's stools can come out in all sorts of colors, depending on what she has eaten, according to the Children's Hospital. However, some colors can be particularly...
If you have a potassium deficiency, you can replenish the mineral through diet, prescription medication or the use of supplements. When you have a low level of potassium in your blood, you might have hypokalemia, a potentially serious condition....
Infant stool comes in an astonishing array of colors and textures, and it often serves as a helpful guidepost in assessing your baby's gastrointestinal health. Although mucus and blood may appear in a healthy infant's stool, they could also be a...
Normal stool color varies from brown to green. Your stool color might change based on changes in your diet, although color changes sometimes indicate a serious condition. Because of this, see your doctor if the abnormal stool colors are ongoing,...
Your stool can change color for a variety of reasons: from certain medications to medical conditions. Food can also change the color of your stool. While the color of your stool can vary, certain colors can indicate a potentially serious problem....
Black diarrhea is often the sign of blood in the digestive tract that can have multiple causes depending on where the bleeding is coming from. Locations can range from anywhere from the nose or mouth to the colon, though bleeding lower in the GI...
Blood in the stools is an alarming sight, particularly when it affects your child. However, bloody stools are surprisingly common in babies and young children, and they don't necessarily warrant a panic-stricken trip to the emergency room, reports...
Celebrex (celecoxib) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that interferes with the substances in your body that cause you to feel pain. Your dose of Celebrex is based upon the disease you are being treated for. The National Library of...
Diarrhea is an unfortunate fact of life for babies and children at various times in their lives. The most common cause of diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, but diarrhea can also result from food poisoning, certain...
Imodium A-D was once a prescription medication, but it can now be purchased over-the-counter to treat diarrhea. The active ingredient in this medicine that slows the movement of the intestines to stop diarrhea is called loperamide HCl. As with any...
According to Penn State College of Medicine, a duodenal (peptic) ulcer is an area of the upper small intestine that becomes raw. They are four times more prevalent in men over 50 years than in women. Duodenal ulcers are somewhat hereditary and are...
Omega fatty acids, which include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are fatty acids your body needs to operate properly. Omega-3 is primarily responsible for supporting brain function while omega-6 regulates bone health, hair growth and supports...
Your infant's diaper can be a window into her health, but a baby's stool can appear in a wide variety of colors and textures. Even when it appears in a color you're not used to seeing, it's not necessarily a reason for panic. A few colors,...
Having bloody stool sends adults to the doctor's office for fear that they have colorectal cancer, but the presence of blood in infants' stool is rarely tied to such a serious disease. Common health issues in infants are the likely cause, and in...
Gastric ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are sores that form on the thin lining of your stomach, intestines or esophagus, says the Mayo Clinic. Typical symptoms of a gastric ulcer include a burning pain anywhere between your chest and navel...
Iron supplements are prescribed to treat iron deficiency and anemia arising from low iron in the body. Nausea is a common side effect of iron supplements, but you should not discontinue the supplements unless directed to do so by a doctor. Left...
Temozolomide, a drug that belongs to a family of drugs called antineoplastics, is used to treat certain types of brain cancer in adults. According to the Mayo Clinic, it may also be used to treat metastatic melanoma, a type of brain cancer that...
An ulcer is an open painful sore on the lining of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. Helicobacter pylori bacteria is the most common cause of ulcers. Other causes include regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications and...
Caffeine is a stimulant that triggers several changes in the body. It is consumed by many people as a means of improving alertness and energy. But caffeine can also affect the gastrointestinal system, and not necessarily in ways you would like. It...
Coumadin is the brand name for the medication warfarin. It is typically prescribed as a blood-thinning medication, and some dietary restrictions are required when you are on the medication. Coumadin patients should not eat foods high in vitamin K,...
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is caused by acid washing up the esophagus. Diet can help control GERD. Learn more about what to eat if you suffer from GERD in this video.
