Special Feature: Ten Health Symptoms You Should Never Ignore Page 4 | ThirdAge

Ten Health Symptoms You Should Never Ignore Page 4 | ThirdAge: (pls go to link for complete article)

"Dark Blood In The Toilet Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the bowel doesn't require immediate attention. The causes may be hemorrhoids or a tear in rectal tissue from straining. However if the blood is black or maroon and tarlike, this is a medical emergency. While the iron in vitamin supplements and in certain vegetables can color the stool black, as can Pepto-Bismol, we're talking here about bloody discharge and not just the stool itself. You may have a bleeding ulcer, bleeding diverticulitis, other colon problem, or colon cancer. Report your symptom to your doctor. He or she may want to see you the same day or tell you to go to the ER."