Black stool -- is this a medical emergency?? (Please help -- I'm really panicking!)

About a couple hours ago I had diarrhea and the stool was black. I started panicking and after some online research found that this could be due to either 1) black-colored food (which makes sense -- I had relatively little to eat today but I did eat a large black chocolate cupcake) or 2) GI tract bleeding.

I'm really panicking and what I need to know is if this is a medical emergency, or if it can wait until tomorrow morning when I can see my doctor?

I am very panicky about my health and I frequently worry about having something so I don't want to embarrass myself and call 911 if this can wait until tomorrow.

[worrywart89]

Also, I forgot to mention, about 10 minutes after the black stool I had to use the bathroom again. There was much, much less stool this time but it was brown, not black.

[worrywart89]

Bump. Anyone?

[Morecambe]

If indeed your motions are black/tarry from upper intestinal bleeding then the medical name is MELENA.

You may like to look this up on google/yahoo etc to learn more.

Prompt medical advice would be appropriate but unless you are expelling significant quantities of blood (~100 mls+) ex rectum then it is not an emergency.

regards
Morecambe

[SHANMUGAN]

the black stool may be due to internal bleeding in stomach area and if yiu have vomitting sensation too then bleeding may be in esophagus also due to varices.better to consult gastro speacialist immediately.

with regards

shanmugan

[TrudieC]

A lot of red wine or taking bismuth (pepto bismal) can cause dark stools as well.