Coffee Ground Looking Stool

Nurses General Nursing Nursing Q/A

Okay, here is the question. I am a nursing student, I graduate in May but I haven't really had to deal with this. My own husband, who is 29, has been having some abdominal pain and this evening he asked me to look at his stool which looked very much like coffee grounds and there was a very large amount with no form to the stool at all. I know that a bleeding ulcer can cause you to have coffee ground looking material in your stool but what else can do it? Also, any suggestions on how to make a "big, tough man" go to the doctor to have this checked out??? Please try to help me if you can. Thanks.

17 Answers

Yikes! There are many possible reasons for coffee ground stools - yes, one can be a bleeding ulcer, or bleeding in the intestines, hemmorhoids, GI cancers, colitis. One must not assume that this is something that can wait. Hemmorhage is a possibility and can prove fatal. Now that is absolutely WORST case scenario, but I always err on the side of caution. Don't panic, but do have him go to the doc's ASAP!!

As for the tough macho man thing, I know it is a hard thing for men to give up on sometimes. The only thing I can suggest is telling him the seriousness of this!! This cannot wait a few weeks or days. I would, if it were me, go in right away. Just persist in trying to persuade him. Also tell him you are only pressuring him out of love and concern!! I have no other tips for that issue. However, if he chooses to not go in right away than you need to keep a close eye on him! Track his stools, see how frequent they are, how much, if he gets severe or worsening pain, make sure he is getting enough fluids as to not dehydrate and be prepared to call an ambulance if he lets this persist for any length of time. Having all the info by keeping track will help the docs/nurses out. Good luck- I'm rooting for everything to be OK!!:)

Hi!

I had the same thing happen to me when I had 2 bleeding ulcers. I was also throwing up and when the nurse saw it - (I thought it was bile) he said "oh that's coffee grinds of your intestines. I would pay a visit to the ER if it doesn't stop. If it is a bleeding ulcer he might need a blood transfusion. I needed 3.

Good luck

Tracy

That's scary....

You could always try the old... Honey, blood is really not supposed to be coming out from there and maybe it would be a good idea to find out why it is...

Hope he listens to you... keep us posted.

Sending "rational man" vibes....K :)

Well, he is saying that if he is STILL doing this tomorrow, then he will go to the doctor then. I am just hoping that he follows through. He has had diarrhea type action for the last couple days, and today alone, has gone 6 times. As for dehydration, he is acting like he can't get enough to drink, which he probably can't. Water is his really good friend right now. And I appreciate all of you responding to this. Thank you.

Cyndi

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

If he is drinking that much he probly shouldnt wait till morning. Drinking to much water has ramifications of its own. His body is telling him he doesnt have enough veinous fluid whether it be water or blood, and its making him feel thirsty. Not to mention that he will start feeling the hypovolemia soon and will become sympomatic with dizziness, faintness, drop in BP, thready increased pulse rate, possibly shortness of breath due to the ability of the decrease in RBC's to carry enough oxygen through the system. 6 stools in one day are to many to wait to have checked. If he continues to get up in the night ,, night is a good time to go to the ER.

I'm with meownsmile on this one! Get him there now while he can go on his own. I'd hate for him to go into shock.

meownsmile said:
If he is drinking that much he probly shouldnt wait till morning. Drinking to much water has ramifications of its own. His body is telling him he doesnt have enough veinous fluid whether it be water or blood, and its making him feel thirsty. Not to mention that he will start feeling the hypovolemia soon and will become sympomatic with dizziness, faintness, drop in BP, thready increased pulse rate, possibly shortness of breath due to the ability of the decrease in RBC's to carry enough oxygen through the system. 6 stools in one day are to many to wait to have checked. If he continues to get up in the night ,, night is a good time to go to the ER.

I work in Triage and any patient who calls with these symptoms would get a clear suggestion that they are putting their lives in danger by not seeking help IMMEDIATELY.

Get his macho butt to the ER NOW!!

Dark black to tarry appearing stools is a sign of bleeding somewhere in the GI system.

Agree with everyone else on this....get him seen now....dont mess with it. Show him this thread if needed.....

When I had the ulcers - I could not get enough to drink. He is eating? I was not hungry at all.

Good luck

You know, I have been thinking about this since I posted yesterday and I really hope you got him to go in!! Especially considering the extreme thirst. You don't want to take chances with someone so important to you. Keep insisting if he hasn't gone in yet. Let us know how you make out!

That's nursing school for you, you'll never be able to look at bowel movements the same again.

Please tell him to get to a doctor or ER ASAP. Any type of GI bleed is not good, but especially since it is accompanied by pain. Since he is so thirsty you may want to have him drink something like Gatorade that will at least attempt to replace the electrolytes that he is loosing through diarrhea and possibly blood loss. Please keep an eye for him for symptoms that meownsmile described.

I hope he will be ok,

Col

Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Try this...

"Honey, you have 2 choices... go to the ER via car driven by me or go to the ER via an ambulance." If he refuses, dial 911. This is an emergency.

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