I am a 75 year-old , very slim retired Marine who is always engaged in a physical fitness regimen. I developed gas, bloating with back pains three months ago. Now I have had 4-5 days of fluffy black stools. I am very energetic, and all tests the past11 years to determine the cause of my weight-loss comes back negative. Any clues??? Thank you for your time, Ray
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Hello, Ray. While I cannot provide a definitive diagnosis, I can suggest a few possible causes for your symptoms:
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Gastrointestinal bleeding: Black, tarry stools (called melena) can be a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which could be caused by ulcers, gastritis, or other conditions. This bleeding could lead to iron being digested and appearing as black stools.
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Gastrointestinal infection or inflammation: Certain infections or inflammatory conditions, such as diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease, may cause symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel movements.
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Medications or dietary factors: Some medications or dietary substances can cause changes in stool color. For example, certain supplements, iron medications, or bismuth-containing compounds can darken the stool.
Given your history of weight loss and the persistence of your symptoms, it's important to consult a healthcare professional. They will be able to conduct a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination and potentially further diagnostic tests, to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.
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