5 Things You Need to Know About Blood In Stool

The color of your stool helps you determine the cause of your problem. When your stools are maroon or bright red, it usually means you have a lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract problem, which includes the large bowel and rectum. Sometimes there are black stools with a tar like consistency if there has been blood in the intestines for too long. Red beets and tomatoes can also cause colored stools.

Doctor takes the blood pressure of an elderly patient (Image: Design Pics/Design Pics/Getty Images)

The color of your stool helps you determine the cause of your problem. When your stools are maroon or bright red, it usually means you have a lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract problem, which includes the large bowel and rectum. Sometimes there are black stools with a tar like consistency if there has been blood in the intestines for too long. Red beets and tomatoes can also cause colored stools.