Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Are your stools black or bloody?
See significance of black or bloody stools if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Note:
- Call911or other emergency services if you have blood in your stool and any signs of shock.
- Certain foods and medicines can change how the stool looks. Taking medicines that contain bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol, or iron tablets can make the stool black, and eating lots of beets may turn the stool red. Some food colorings also can change the color of your stool. Eating foods that contain black or dark blue food coloring can turn your stool black.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are mostly black or bloody?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Have you had 1 or more normal-size to large stools that are partly black or bloody?
Yes Have you had 1 or more small stools that are mostly black or bloody?
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Have you had streaks of blood in your stools?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: April 28, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
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