I have a reflex at night. While I am sleeping, this comes on.  It wakes me up as it reaches my mouth.  Recently I have brought up a black substance.  Following this I find that I am coughing and coughing.  I am going to have an endoscopy in a week with a bean camera inserted to review my acid flow.  At time this stuff is drawn into my lungs.  Then I cough harder.  I am recovering from Lung Cancer with URL removed Jan2011.  Do you think this black is coming from my lungs or my stomach.  Why is it black?  Doesnt appear to be bloody- just very black.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Black colored stuff can be degenerated blood or fungal tissue. So possibility of either from stomach (degenerated blood from acid reflux) or from lungs (fungal infection in cancerous part of lung) is more. So better to get done 1. Upper GIs copy for acid reflux. 2. CT thorax and bronchoscopy to rule out lung infection. 3. Microscopic examination of that black stuff. So, better to consult first diagnose yourself and then start appropriate treatment. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.