you're right to be on top of the issue of bowel changes. colon cancer for example and other serious conditions respond better to treatment with a rapid diagnosis changes in the elimination habits can signal medical concerns. some of these noteworthy stool qualities may include: muscus in the stool undigested food particles foul odor the ability of stool to float size of the stool formation as being solid hard loose banded in a ribbon fashion and of course. color. colors such as clay colored bloody streaked black and tary and green should send off alarm bells to see your physican as they could indicate some serious medical condition. some changes in color are due to temporary dietary changes and various medications. in your case the dark brown stools are most likely due over eating during the past day or two excess body sodium a lack of dietary nutrients found in fruits and vegtables and a general lack of dietary fiber. it could also mean that you are processing meals in a perfectly normal manner. in summary dark brown stools may be indicative of dietary issues some medical conditions or even be perfectly normal. i recommend that you decrease your salt intake (including canned goods and processed meats such as luncheons) take a bulking agent supplement eat more fruits and vegatables do not overeat and stay hydrated with water. observe for color changes after implementating these suggestions. if you still have concerns a visit to your family doctor is approipriate. it really is a challenge to eat healthy as a college student. i remember peanut butter and jelly sandwiches being a food stape during my days in college.
causes of dark brown stool? . i just passed a dark brown stool not black but pretty dark brown. i was constipated as well; i hadn't gone to the bathroom in almost two days. i'm a college student so i don't have a very nourishing diet at all. no diarrhea. slight dull abdominal pain--but i think that may just be my mind worrying about it too much.