i am a 31 year old female and for the past 3 days, i have had black, tarrystools. i have no pain and no history of stomach problems. i have not takenany medication or vitamins/supplements and i have not eaten anything differentthan i normally eat. any

	Asked by reese4183 (Female; 31; endometriosis; Relevant drugs:none ) on Fri 20, Nov 2009 01:29pm :
	i am a 31 year old female and for the past 3 days, i have had black, tarry stools. i have no pain and no history of stomach problems. i have not taken any medication or vitamins/supplements and i have not eaten anything different than i normally eat. any ideas on what could be causing this? i am really freaking out. please help. thank you!
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	Answer by Dr. Rajgopal, MBBS (doctor) on Sat 21, Nov 2009 06:49pm: Hi, A black stool means bleeding from upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It includes the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. Blood looks like tar after being exposed to the digestive juices. Stomach ulcers or inflammation are the most common causes of upper GI bleeding. Other causes are- Abnormal blood vessels (vascular malformation), Esophageal tear, Gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining, lack of proper blood flow to the intestines (bowel ischemia), Esophageal and stomach varices. Please go for a USG of the abdomen and consult a gastroenterologist for diagnosis and treatment. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!
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