Black poop can be harmless, caused by certain foods or medications, or it can be a sign of melena, meaning there’s blood in your stool. Melena happens when bleeding occurs in the upper digestive tract ...

If your stool appears black, you may be confused — and worried. But while black stool may be unusual, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern. "Oftentimes, black stools are caused by medications or ...

At this point in life, you likely have a good idea of what your average bowel movements look like. So if you happen to notice they’re darker than usual, it’s understandable to wonder, “Why is my poop ...

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for how often you should poop, but when it comes to what color your stool should be, expert consensus is much narrower. And deviations from it can be a cause for ...

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. Why is my poop brown? – Ethan J., age 9, Potomac ...