What causes gray or pale stools. How are pale stools diagnosed. What treatments are available for gray stool. When should you see a doctor for pale stools. How does diet affect stool color. What health conditions can lead to clay-colored stools. Are pale stools ever normal.

Understanding Gray and Pale Stool Colors

Stool color can provide valuable insights into our digestive health. While normal stools typically range in shades of brown, pale or gray stools may indicate underlying health issues. These unusual colors often suggest problems with the biliary system, which includes the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Bile, produced by the liver, is responsible for giving stool its characteristic brown color. When bile production or flow is compromised, it can result in pale or clay-colored stools. While occasional pale stools may not be cause for immediate concern, persistent occurrences warrant medical attention.

What causes gray or pale stools?

Several factors can contribute to the appearance of gray or pale stools:

• Reduced bile production by the liver
• Blockage in the bile ducts
• Certain medications
• Liver diseases
• Gallbladder problems
• Pancreatic disorders

Common Causes of Pale Stools

Understanding the potential causes of pale stools can help in identifying and addressing underlying health issues. Here are some common factors that may lead to gray or clay-colored stools:

Medications and Their Impact on Stool Color

Certain medications can affect liver function and bile production, potentially resulting in pale stools. These include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen
• Birth control pills
• Some antibiotics
• Anabolic steroids

In many cases, drug-induced changes in stool color resolve within a few weeks after discontinuing the medication. However, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to prescribed medications.

Viral Hepatitis and Its Effects on Stool Color

Viral hepatitis, caused by viruses such as hepatitis A, B, or C, can lead to liver inflammation and affect bile production. This inflammation may result in pale or clay-colored stools. Proper diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis are crucial for managing symptoms and preventing complications.

Alcoholic Hepatitis: A Serious Cause of Pale Stools

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, characterized by liver inflammation. This condition can significantly impact bile production and result in pale stools. Treatment typically involves complete abstinence from alcohol and may include nutritional support and medications to manage inflammation.

Biliary System Disorders and Stool Color Changes

The biliary system plays a crucial role in digestion and waste elimination. Disorders affecting this system can lead to significant changes in stool color, particularly resulting in pale or gray stools.

Biliary Cirrhosis: Causes and Consequences

Biliary cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts. This condition can obstruct bile flow, leading to pale stools. While there’s no cure for biliary cirrhosis, treatments focus on managing symptoms and preventing complications.

Gallstones: A Common Culprit for Pale Stools

Gallstones can block bile ducts, impeding the flow of bile into the intestines. This blockage can result in clay-colored stools. Treatment options for gallstones range from medication to dissolve small stones to surgical removal for larger ones or when medications prove ineffective.

Sclerosing Cholangitis: Understanding Its Impact on Stool Color

Sclerosing cholangitis is a progressive liver disease characterized by inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts. This condition can significantly affect bile flow, leading to pale stools. Treatment approaches may include medications to manage symptoms and, in severe cases, liver transplantation.

Diagnostic Approaches for Pale Stools

When faced with persistent pale or gray stools, healthcare professionals employ various diagnostic methods to identify the underlying cause. These may include:

• Physical examination
• Blood tests to assess liver function and detect infections
• Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI
• Endoscopic procedures to examine the bile ducts
• Stool sample analysis

Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of potential complications associated with pale stools.

When should you see a doctor for pale stools?

While occasional changes in stool color may not be cause for alarm, it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience:

• Persistent pale or clay-colored stools
• Accompanying symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, or unexplained weight loss
• Changes in stool consistency or frequency
• Dark urine alongside pale stools

Prompt medical evaluation can help identify and address underlying health issues before they progress.

Treatment Options for Gray or Pale Stools

The treatment approach for pale stools depends on the underlying cause. Here are some common treatment strategies:

Medication-Based Treatments

Depending on the cause of pale stools, healthcare providers may prescribe various medications, including:

• Ursodeoxycholic acid to improve bile flow
• Cholestyramine to manage itching associated with bile flow problems
• Antibiotics for infections affecting the biliary system
• Immunosuppressants for autoimmune-related biliary disorders

Lifestyle and Dietary Modifications

In some cases, lifestyle changes can help manage pale stools and improve overall digestive health. These may include:

• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Adopting a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
• Staying hydrated
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques

Surgical Interventions for Severe Cases

In more severe cases or when other treatments prove ineffective, surgical interventions may be necessary. These can include:

• Gallbladder removal for persistent gallstone problems
• Bile duct repair or reconstruction
• Liver transplantation in cases of advanced liver disease

Preventing Pale Stools and Promoting Digestive Health

While not all causes of pale stools are preventable, certain measures can help maintain digestive health and reduce the risk of developing biliary system issues:

Dietary Considerations for Optimal Bile Production

A balanced diet rich in nutrients can support liver function and bile production. Consider incorporating:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Healthy fats from sources like avocados and nuts

Lifestyle Habits to Support Biliary Health

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can contribute to overall digestive wellness:

• Regular exercise to promote healthy digestion
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying hydrated
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or mindfulness practices

Regular Health Check-ups and Screenings

Regular medical check-ups can help detect potential issues early. Discuss with your healthcare provider about appropriate screening tests based on your age, risk factors, and family history.

Understanding the Link Between Stool Color and Overall Health

Stool color can serve as a valuable indicator of digestive health and overall well-being. While variations in color are often harmless and related to diet, persistent changes, especially to pale or gray hues, warrant attention.

How does diet affect stool color?

Diet plays a significant role in determining stool color. Foods rich in certain pigments can temporarily alter stool color:

• Green vegetables may lead to greenish stools
• Beets can cause reddish stools
• Iron supplements may result in dark, almost black stools

Understanding these dietary influences can help distinguish between normal variations and potential health concerns.

Are pale stools ever normal?

While occasional pale stools may not always indicate a serious problem, persistent gray or clay-colored stools are generally not considered normal. They often suggest issues with bile production or flow, which requires medical evaluation.

The Role of Bile in Digestion and Stool Color

Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, plays a crucial role in digestion and waste elimination. Understanding its functions can provide insights into the significance of stool color changes.

What is the function of bile in digestion?

Bile serves several important functions in the digestive process:

• Emulsifies fats, aiding in their breakdown and absorption
• Helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K)
• Aids in the elimination of certain waste products from the body
• Provides the characteristic brown color to stools

How do bile production issues affect stool color?

Problems with bile production or flow can significantly impact stool color:

• Reduced bile production may result in pale or clay-colored stools
• Bile duct obstruction can lead to light-colored stools and dark urine
• Excess bile can cause greenish stools

These color changes serve as important indicators of potential biliary system issues, highlighting the need for medical attention when persistent abnormalities occur.

Complications Associated with Persistent Pale Stools

While pale stools themselves are not typically harmful, they can be a sign of underlying conditions that may lead to complications if left untreated. Understanding these potential complications emphasizes the importance of timely medical intervention.

What are the potential long-term effects of untreated biliary issues?

Persistent biliary system problems can lead to various complications:

• Chronic liver disease
• Nutritional deficiencies, particularly of fat-soluble vitamins
• Increased risk of gallbladder or bile duct cancers
• Development of liver cirrhosis in severe cases

How can early detection of pale stools prevent serious health issues?

Recognizing and addressing pale stools early can have significant health benefits:

• Allows for timely diagnosis of underlying conditions
• Enables early treatment, potentially preventing disease progression
• Helps maintain proper nutrient absorption and overall digestive health
• Reduces the risk of developing chronic liver diseases

By paying attention to stool color and seeking medical advice when persistent changes occur, individuals can play an active role in maintaining their digestive and overall health.

Pale Stools: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Pale stools are may suggest issues with your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. If your bowel movements are a light clay color instead of brown, a healthcare professional can help you find the cause and recommend treatment.

Normal stools can vary in shades of brown, mostly due to your diet. Pale stools are not normal.

If your stools are pale or clay-colored, you may have a problem with the drainage of your biliary system, which includes your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.

Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color. If your liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow of the bile is blocked and not draining from your liver, your stools may become pale or clay-colored.

Having pale stools once in a while may not be a cause for concern. If it occurs frequently, you may have a serious illness. You should see your doctor whenever you have pale or clay-colored stools in order to rule out illness and disease.

There are many possible causes of pale stools. Some of the common causes include:

Medications

Certain medications, such as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (EC-Naprosyn), birth control pills, some antibiotics, and anabolic steroids can cause drug-induced hepatitis. This is a swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by medications.

For most people affected, drug-induced hepatitis and the related discolored stools usually go away within a few weeks after the medications are discontinued.

Viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is a swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by viruses such as hepatitis A, B, or C viruses. Hepatitis C often leads to liver disease.

Your doctor can diagnose the type of hepatitis virus you have and help you figure out the best treatment plan for you.

Alcoholic hepatitis

Alcoholic hepatitis is swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis can lead to liver disease or liver failure.

To treat this form of hepatitis, you’ll have to stop drinking alcohol. Your doctor can help you if you’ve become dependent on alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis can also cause malnutrition, so you may also need to be put on a special diet to get the vitamins and other nutrients you need.

Medications such as prednisone (Rayos) and pentoxifylline (Pentopak) can also treat liver inflammation.

In severe cases, a liver transplant may be needed.

Biliary cirrhosis

Biliary cirrhosis is an inflammation or irritation of the bile ducts in the liver. The inflammation or irritation blocks the flow of bile to the intestines. The exact cause of biliary cirrhosis is unknown. There’s no cure for biliary cirrhosis, and the disease can be fatal.

Treatment can help manage your symptoms and prevent complications. Commonly prescribed medications include cholestyramine (Questran), which treats itching, and ursodiol (Urso Forte), which aids in removing bile from the bloodstream.

Your doctor may also suggest taking vitamins A, K, E, and D, to replace the nutrients that are lost in the fatty stools. Calcium supplements can also help prevent loss of bone density.

In severe cases, your doctor may suggest a liver treatment.

Gallstones

Gallstones are hardened deposits in the gallbladder that can block the flow of bile.

Medications can sometimes dissolve gallstones. You may need surgery to remove your gallstones if they’re large or medication isn’t effective.

Sclerosing cholangitis

Sclerosing cholangitis is an inflammation or scarring of the bile ducts, which are the tubes that carry bile throughout the body. The exact cause of this disease is unknown, but genetic factors may be partially responsible.

Both medications and surgeries are possible treatments for sclerosing cholangitis. Commonly prescribed medications include:

• cholestyramine (Questran)
• prednisone (RAYOS)
• ursodiol (Urso Forte)
• azathioprine (Azasan)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune)

Your doctor may also prescribe supplements for vitamins A, D, E, and K to replace what the body has lost. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics.

Common surgeries used to treat sclerosing cholangitis include:

• endoscopic balloon, which involves inserting a balloon at the end of a long tube into the bile ducts to open any narrowing
• biliary drainage catheter, which involves placing a drain in the narrowing of the bile ducts
• removal of the colon and rectum in severe cases
• liver transplant

Structural defects in the biliary system

You may have been born with structural defects in your biliary system that prevent the flow of bile.

After a physical exam, your doctor may order several tests to determine if you have structural defects. These tests include blood tests, scans, and X-rays.

Your doctor may be able to surgically repair the defects. The type of defect will determine the type of surgical procedure the doctor will use.

Biliary stricture

Gallbladder removal surgery can result in the narrowing of the bile ducts. This condition is known as biliary stricture.

Your doctor may be able to correct the problems using surgery or a stent. A stent is a small tube that a surgeon places inside the ducts to keep them open so that bile can flow freely.

Tumors

Benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumors in the biliary system can interfere with bile flow or inflame the liver.

Your doctor may be able to remove the tumor surgically. If the tumor is cancerous, you may need radiation, a therapy that uses X-rays or gamma rays to destroy cancerous cells. You may also need chemotherapy, which involves powerful drugs that kill cancer cells.

Cysts

Cysts on the bile ducts can prevent the flow of bile.

The cysts may go away without treatment, or your doctor may perform surgery to remove them. The surgery is done laparoscopically and with small incisions and less discomfort than common surgery.

One of the most common complications of pale stools is jaundice. This is due to a buildup of bile in your body. Jaundice is a yellowing of your skin or around the whites of your eyes.

See your doctor immediately if you have signs of jaundice because it may also be a symptom of liver disease.

Brightly colored stools in children are usually caused by colorful foods like breakfast cereal. However, pale, white, or clay-colored stools in children can be caused by something more serious. Some of the causes are:

• a milk-only diet
• barium sulfate from barium enema
• antacids
• blocked bile ducts or liver disease

You should contact your doctor any time your child’s stool changes color, especially if they haven’t had any brightly colored foods or if the stools are pale, white, or clay-colored. Only your doctor can determine the exact cause and provide the proper treatment.

If the cause is a food or medication, removing it from the child’s diet will clear up the condition. If the cause is liver disease or a blocked bile duct, this can be life threatening and may require surgery or medications.

Your doctor will ask you questions about the accompanying symptoms and medications you’re taking. Your doctor may also perform tests to help diagnose the cause of your pale stools. Possible tests include:

• blood tests, to check for infections and jaundice
• computed tomography (CT) scans, to see if you have any swelling of your liver or bile ducts
• magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that captures detailed images of the biliary system
• abdominal ultrasound, to develop a picture of your organs

Once the underlying cause of pale stools is treated, your stools should return to a normal brown color.

However, some causes, such as liver disease and some cancerous tumors, are incurable. If the cause is incurable, you’ll continue to have pale or clay-colored stools.

Some of the causes of pale stools are not preventable, but others are. Some forms of hepatitis have vaccines for prevention. Alcoholic hepatitis can be prevented by not drinking alcohol in excess.

If the cause is unknown, work toward having healthy bowel movements by eating a balanced diet that is high in fiber.

Pale Stools: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Pale stools are may suggest issues with your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. If your bowel movements are a light clay color instead of brown, a healthcare professional can help you find the cause and recommend treatment.

Normal stools can vary in shades of brown, mostly due to your diet. Pale stools are not normal.

If your stools are pale or clay-colored, you may have a problem with the drainage of your biliary system, which includes your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.

Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color. If your liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow of the bile is blocked and not draining from your liver, your stools may become pale or clay-colored.

Having pale stools once in a while may not be a cause for concern. If it occurs frequently, you may have a serious illness. You should see your doctor whenever you have pale or clay-colored stools in order to rule out illness and disease.

There are many possible causes of pale stools. Some of the common causes include:

Medications

Certain medications, such as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (EC-Naprosyn), birth control pills, some antibiotics, and anabolic steroids can cause drug-induced hepatitis. This is a swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by medications.

For most people affected, drug-induced hepatitis and the related discolored stools usually go away within a few weeks after the medications are discontinued.

Viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is a swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by viruses such as hepatitis A, B, or C viruses. Hepatitis C often leads to liver disease.

Your doctor can diagnose the type of hepatitis virus you have and help you figure out the best treatment plan for you.

Alcoholic hepatitis

Alcoholic hepatitis is swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis can lead to liver disease or liver failure.

To treat this form of hepatitis, you’ll have to stop drinking alcohol. Your doctor can help you if you’ve become dependent on alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis can also cause malnutrition, so you may also need to be put on a special diet to get the vitamins and other nutrients you need.

Medications such as prednisone (Rayos) and pentoxifylline (Pentopak) can also treat liver inflammation.

In severe cases, a liver transplant may be needed.

Biliary cirrhosis

Biliary cirrhosis is an inflammation or irritation of the bile ducts in the liver. The inflammation or irritation blocks the flow of bile to the intestines. The exact cause of biliary cirrhosis is unknown. There’s no cure for biliary cirrhosis, and the disease can be fatal.

Treatment can help manage your symptoms and prevent complications. Commonly prescribed medications include cholestyramine (Questran), which treats itching, and ursodiol (Urso Forte), which aids in removing bile from the bloodstream.

Your doctor may also suggest taking vitamins A, K, E, and D, to replace the nutrients that are lost in the fatty stools. Calcium supplements can also help prevent loss of bone density.

In severe cases, your doctor may suggest a liver treatment.

Gallstones

Gallstones are hardened deposits in the gallbladder that can block the flow of bile.

Medications can sometimes dissolve gallstones. You may need surgery to remove your gallstones if they’re large or medication isn’t effective.

Sclerosing cholangitis

Sclerosing cholangitis is an inflammation or scarring of the bile ducts, which are the tubes that carry bile throughout the body. The exact cause of this disease is unknown, but genetic factors may be partially responsible.

Both medications and surgeries are possible treatments for sclerosing cholangitis. Commonly prescribed medications include:

• cholestyramine (Questran)
• prednisone (RAYOS)
• ursodiol (Urso Forte)
• azathioprine (Azasan)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune)

Your doctor may also prescribe supplements for vitamins A, D, E, and K to replace what the body has lost. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics.

Common surgeries used to treat sclerosing cholangitis include:

• endoscopic balloon, which involves inserting a balloon at the end of a long tube into the bile ducts to open any narrowing
• biliary drainage catheter, which involves placing a drain in the narrowing of the bile ducts
• removal of the colon and rectum in severe cases
• liver transplant

Structural defects in the biliary system

You may have been born with structural defects in your biliary system that prevent the flow of bile.

After a physical exam, your doctor may order several tests to determine if you have structural defects. These tests include blood tests, scans, and X-rays.

Your doctor may be able to surgically repair the defects. The type of defect will determine the type of surgical procedure the doctor will use.

Biliary stricture

Gallbladder removal surgery can result in the narrowing of the bile ducts. This condition is known as biliary stricture.

Your doctor may be able to correct the problems using surgery or a stent. A stent is a small tube that a surgeon places inside the ducts to keep them open so that bile can flow freely.

Tumors

Benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumors in the biliary system can interfere with bile flow or inflame the liver.

Your doctor may be able to remove the tumor surgically. If the tumor is cancerous, you may need radiation, a therapy that uses X-rays or gamma rays to destroy cancerous cells. You may also need chemotherapy, which involves powerful drugs that kill cancer cells.

Cysts

Cysts on the bile ducts can prevent the flow of bile.

The cysts may go away without treatment, or your doctor may perform surgery to remove them. The surgery is done laparoscopically and with small incisions and less discomfort than common surgery.

One of the most common complications of pale stools is jaundice. This is due to a buildup of bile in your body. Jaundice is a yellowing of your skin or around the whites of your eyes.

See your doctor immediately if you have signs of jaundice because it may also be a symptom of liver disease.

Brightly colored stools in children are usually caused by colorful foods like breakfast cereal. However, pale, white, or clay-colored stools in children can be caused by something more serious. Some of the causes are:

• a milk-only diet
• barium sulfate from barium enema
• antacids
• blocked bile ducts or liver disease

You should contact your doctor any time your child’s stool changes color, especially if they haven’t had any brightly colored foods or if the stools are pale, white, or clay-colored. Only your doctor can determine the exact cause and provide the proper treatment.

If the cause is a food or medication, removing it from the child’s diet will clear up the condition. If the cause is liver disease or a blocked bile duct, this can be life threatening and may require surgery or medications.

Your doctor will ask you questions about the accompanying symptoms and medications you’re taking. Your doctor may also perform tests to help diagnose the cause of your pale stools. Possible tests include:

• blood tests, to check for infections and jaundice
• computed tomography (CT) scans, to see if you have any swelling of your liver or bile ducts
• magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that captures detailed images of the biliary system
• abdominal ultrasound, to develop a picture of your organs

Once the underlying cause of pale stools is treated, your stools should return to a normal brown color.

However, some causes, such as liver disease and some cancerous tumors, are incurable. If the cause is incurable, you’ll continue to have pale or clay-colored stools.

Some of the causes of pale stools are not preventable, but others are. Some forms of hepatitis have vaccines for prevention. Alcoholic hepatitis can be prevented by not drinking alcohol in excess.

If the cause is unknown, work toward having healthy bowel movements by eating a balanced diet that is high in fiber.

Grayish-white stools – causes, diagnosis and treatment

Grayish-white stools is a discoloration of stools, often accompanied by a violation of the consistency and frequency of stools. A change in the color of feces is characteristic of dysbacteriosis, diseases of the liver and gallbladder, and damage to the pancreas. To determine the cause of the appearance of gray or white feces, a coprogram, ultrasound and radiography of the gastrointestinal tract, endoscopy are prescribed. To eliminate the symptom, probiotics, enzyme preparations, specific antiviral and detoxifying agents are used.

Causes of grayish-white feces

Errors in diet

Passage of gray feces in an adult is observed after the abuse of fatty foods. An excess amount of neutral fats accumulates in the intestine, due to the increased load on the pancreas, lipids are not digested and are excreted in the stool. The consistency changes – the feces become soft, “fat”, leave marks on the walls of the toilet bowl. Typically, stools increase up to 3-4 times a day.

Usually the symptoms disappear on their own, normalization of stool color occurs the next day. The reasons that provoke the discharge of grayish-white stools in infants are the incorrect introduction of complementary foods, the use of unbalanced milk formulas. A change in the color of feces occurs against the background of general weakness and lethargy of the child, constant crying and refusal to feed. These symptoms are an indication for consulting a pediatrician.

Dysbacteriosis

Violation of the composition of the intestinal microflora causes digestive disorders, insufficient digestion of incoming food. The feces become liquid, grayish-white or dark gray in color. The frequency of stool with dysbacteriosis increases up to 5-7 times a day, defecation is preceded by cramps and discomfort in the left abdomen. The stools have a fetid odor, a light gray coating can be seen on the surface.

Hepatitis

Infectious causes cause destruction of liver cells and disorders of bilirubin metabolism, due to which the supply of stercobilin to the intestine decreases, which stains feces in a brown hue. Gray feces appear at the height of hepatitis, the symptom is combined with a sharp darkening of the urine and yellowing of the skin. Characterized by an increase in stool and a change in its consistency, before defecation, patients feel rumbling and “seething” in the abdomen.

The duration of the symptom depends on the type of liver inflammation. In non-severe forms of viral hepatitis A and E, grayish-white feces persist for 2-3 weeks. With hepatitis B, the color of feces returns to normal after 1-2 months, in case of severe damage to the hepatic parenchyma, dark gray stools are excreted up to six months. Alcoholic hepatitis, complicated by damage to the pancreas, often cause persistent lightening of the feces.

Cholelithiasis

Isolation of grayish-white stool indicates an exacerbation of cholelithiasis and blockage of the bile duct by a calculus. In this case, bile does not enter the intestines, symptoms of obstructive jaundice develop. A person notices that the stool becomes light, almost white, the consistency of the stool often remains normal. Discoloration of the stool occurs simultaneously with severe pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, bitterness in the mouth.

Pancreatitis

A change in the color of feces to white in adults occurs in chronic pancreatitis, which is characterized by pancreatic enzyme deficiency. The light color is due to the accumulation of undigested food in the stool. Fecal masses are abundant, grayish-white in color, with a sharp fetid odor. There is an increase in stool, during defecation, patients experience diffuse pain in the abdomen.

Disorders of the pancreas function are often irreversible, therefore, without the appointment of replacement therapy, the restoration of normal stool color is impossible. The patient’s condition worsens under the influence of external causes – with the abuse of heavy food, alcohol intake, the disease worsens. During this period, diarrhea is disturbing with the release of a large amount of light feces, accompanied by intense pain in the left hypochondrium and epigastrium.

Other pathologies of the liver

Damage to liver cells of various etiologies is accompanied by parenchymal jaundice, which is typically characterized by the appearance of a grayish-white stool. Such changes persist for a long time, for several months. Violation of the chair is combined with dull pain and heaviness in the right hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting with bile. Most often, discoloration of feces is caused by such reasons as:

• Cirrhosis : alcoholic, postnecrotic, biliary.
• Massive lesions : hepatocellular carcinoma, echinococcal cyst, polycystic liver.
• Functional disorders : Gilbert’s syndrome, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, cholestasis of pregnancy.

Complications of pharmacotherapy

A short-term change in the color of stools to grayish-white is a natural reaction after oral administration of barium sulfate for x-ray of the digestive tract. Light fecal masses depart 10-12 hours after the study, atypical coloring of fecal masses persists for 2-3 days. Normally, these changes are not accompanied by dyspeptic disorders or abdominal pain.

Other reasons also provoke gray feces: taking antacids, iron. Trace elements, which are found in large quantities in these drugs, accumulate in the feces and cause the appearance of a characteristic grayish-white color. With the use of iron preparations, the color is darker up to black. Discoloration of feces is possible with prolonged use of antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Rare causes

• Inflammatory bowel disease : Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, chronic enteritis.
• Celiac disease .
• Malignant tumors : cancer of the head of the pancreas, cancer of the duodenum.
• Bile duct atresia .

Diagnosis

A gastroenterologist is in charge of identifying the cause of gray stool. The specialist collects an anamnesis and complaints to establish why dyspeptic disorders appeared. Diagnostics includes instrumental imaging methods, which, according to indications, are supplemented with invasive techniques. To clarify the diagnosis, laboratory tests are prescribed. Most informative methods:

• Coprogram . Microscopic analysis of grayish-white feces reveals the remains of undigested food, muscle fibers, starch grains. The absence of stercobilin is pathognomonic. To confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis, a study of the level of fecal elastase is done. Bacteriological analysis is necessary to detect dysbacteriosis and bacterial overgrowth syndrome.
• Biochemical blood test . With obstructive jaundice, cholestasis syndrome is determined – an increase in the amount of cholesterol and the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. An increase in the level of ALT and AST indicates cytolysis and parenchymal jaundice. To check the exocrine function of the pancreas, the concentration of pancreatic lipase and amylase is measured.
• Ultrasound . In order to detect the organic cause of the grayish-white hue of feces, a survey ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is performed with targeted scanning of the organs of the hepatobiliary zone. The study allows you to visualize signs of the inflammatory process of the gallbladder, heterogeneous echogenicity of the liver parenchyma, rounded volumetric neoplasms.
• Duodenal sounding . To assess the flow of bile into the intestine, several portions of bile are sequentially taken after stimulation with secretory drugs. Typically, slow bile flow or its complete absence in case of blockage of the common bile duct. The collected material is sent to the laboratory for bacteriological analysis.
• Cholangiopancreatography . White feces usually appear when the biliary tract is affected, so ERCP is required. The method involves examining the Vater papilla and bile ducts using endoscopic technologies. The study reveals stones in the bile ducts, signs of inflammatory and tumor pathologies.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

Grayish-white stools caused by dietary errors do not need to be treated. The patient is advised to consume easily digestible foods (stewed vegetables, soups, lean meat) for several days, to reduce the amount of portions. You can’t take alcohol. If during this time the stool has not returned to normal, you should consult a doctor to determine the cause of the disorder.

To avoid diarrhea and stool discoloration when taking antibiotics and other toxic drugs, it is advisable to drink natural kefir and yogurt, which are rich in beneficial bifidus and lactobacilli. Self-administration of enzyme preparations to improve digestion is not recommended, as this can provoke violations of the pancreas.

Conservative therapy

Treatment of dyspeptic disorders, including grayish-white stools, is mainly aimed at eliminating the cause of the symptoms, after which the color and consistency of the stool normalizes. Medications must be supplemented with a special therapeutic diet, which is selected depending on the disease. In clinical practice, drugs such as:

• Enzyme preparations . Medicines containing pancreatic extract improve the processes of parietal and abdominal digestion in the small intestine. Gray feces disappear a few days after the start of medication, the severity of other dyspeptic disorders decreases.
• Probiotics . They are a mixture of beneficial bacteria that inhabit the colon and prevent the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. In adults, they are prescribed for long-term antibiotic therapy, combined with prebiotics, which stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria.
• Cholagogues . They increase the contractility of the gallbladder and expand the ducts, improve the colloidal properties of bile, so that it is excreted in the right quantities into the intestine. Additionally, hepatoprotectors are recommended, which protect cells from the toxic effects of bile acids.
• Antivirals . In chronic hepatitis of viral etiology, special treatment regimens are used with interferons, RNA polymerase inhibitors. Medicines reduce the viral load in the blood, inhibit the replication of the virus in the liver cells. They are combined with detoxifying agents.

Surgical treatment

Complicated cholelithiasis, which is accompanied by grayish-white stool, requires surgical intervention. Removal of small calculi is carried out during therapeutic and diagnostic ERCP, and the method of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is also used. With pronounced changes in the biliary tract, drainage according to Kerr or Halstead or the formation of a choledochodigestive anastomosis is indicated.

Cal off-white – Quanta-System

Grey-white stool is a change in the color of the stool, often accompanied by a change in the consistency and frequency of the stool. A change in the color of the stool is characteristic of dysbacteriosis, diseases of the liver and gallbladder, and damage to the pancreas. To find out the cause of the appearance of gray or white stools, a coprogram, ultrasound and X-ray of the gastrointestinal tract, endoscopy are prescribed. To eliminate the symptom, probiotics, enzyme preparations, antiviral agents and specific detoxifiers are used.

Contents

• 1 Causes of grayish-white stool
  • 1.1 Errors in diet
  • 1.2 Dysbacteriosis
  • 1.3 Hepatitis
  • 1.4 Gallstone disease
  • 1.5 Pancreatitis
  • 1.6 Other liver pathologies 9 0042
  • 1.7 Complications of pharmacotherapy
  • 1.8 Rare causes
• 2 Diagnosis
• 3 Treatment
  • 3.1 Care before diagnosis
  • 3.2 Medical treatment
  • 3.3 Surgical treatment

Causes of grayish-white stools

Errors in diet

Passage of gray feces in an adult is observed after the abuse of fatty foods. An excessive amount of neutral fats accumulate in the intestines, due to the increased load on the pancreas, lipids are not digested and are excreted in the feces. The consistency changes: the stool becomes soft, “fat”, leaving marks on the walls of the toilet bowl. Usually the chair increases up to 3-4 times a day.

Usually the symptoms resolve on their own, normalization of stool color occurs the next day. The reasons that provoke the release of grayish-white feces in newborns are the incorrect introduction of complementary foods, the use of unbalanced milk formulas. A change in the color of the stool occurs against the background of general weakness and lethargy of the child, constant crying and refusal to eat. These symptoms are an indication for contacting a pediatrician.

Dysbacteriosis

Violation of the composition of the intestinal microflora causes indigestion, insufficient digestion of the food taken. The stool becomes liquid, grayish-white or dark gray in color. The frequency of stool with dysbacteriosis increases up to 5-7 times a day, defecation is preceded by cramps and discomfort in the left side of the abdomen. The stool has a fetid odor, a light gray coating is visible on the surface.

Hepatitis

Infectious causes cause destruction of liver cells and disorders of bilirubin metabolism, resulting in a decrease in the supply of stercobilin to the intestines, which turns the stool brown. Gray feces appear in the middle of hepatitis, the symptom is combined with a sharp darkening of the urine and yellowing of the skin. Characterized by an increase in stool and a change in its consistency; before defecation, patients experience rumbling and “gurgling” in the abdomen.

The duration of the symptom depends on the type of liver inflammation. In mild forms of viral hepatitis A and E, grayish-white stool discharge lasts 2-3 weeks. With hepatitis B, the color of the stool returns to normal after 1-2 months, with severe damage to the liver parenchyma, a dark gray stool is released for up to six months. Alcoholic hepatitis, complicated by damage to the pancreas, often causes persistent lightening of the stool.

Cholelithiasis

Grayish-white stool indicates an exacerbation of gallstone disease and blockage of the bile duct by a stone. In this case, bile does not enter the intestine, symptoms of obstructive jaundice develop. The person notes that the stool becomes transparent, almost white, the consistency of the stool often remains normal. A change in the color of the stool occurs simultaneously with severe pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, bitterness in the mouth.

Pancreatitis

A change in the color of the stool to white in adults occurs with chronic pancreatitis, which is characterized by enzymatic insufficiency of the pancreas. The light color is due to the accumulation of undigested food in the stool. Feces are profuse, greyish-white, with a sharp fetid odor. There is an increase in stool, during defecation, patients experience widespread pain in the lower abdomen.

Pancreatic dysfunction is often irreversible, so it is impossible to restore the normal color of the stool without prescribing substitution therapy. The patient’s condition worsens under the influence of external causes – with the abuse of heavy food, alcohol intake, the disease worsens. During this period, diarrhea is disturbing with the release of a large amount of light stool, accompanied by intense pain in the left hypochondrium and epigastrium.

Other pathologies of the liver

Damage to liver cells of various etiologies is accompanied by jaundice of the parenchyma, which is characterized by the appearance of grayish-white feces. These changes persist for a long time, for several months. Violation of the chair is combined with dull pain and heaviness in the right hypochondrium, nausea and vomiting of bile. Most often, a change in the color of feces is caused by such causes as:

• Cirrhosis: alcoholic, postnecrotic, biliary.
• Volumetric formations: hepatocellular carcinoma, echinococcal cyst, polycystic liver disease.
• Functional disorders: Gilbert’s syndrome, Crigler-Nayard syndrome, cholestasis of pregnancy.

Complications of pharmacotherapy

Short-term discoloration of the stool to grayish-white is a natural reaction after oral administration of barium sulfate for x-ray of the digestive tract. Light-colored stool comes out 10-12 hours after the examination, atypical coloring of the stool persists for 2-3 days. Normally, these changes are not accompanied by dyspeptic disorders or abdominal pain.

Gray stools are also provoked by other reasons: taking antacids, iron. Trace elements, which are contained in these preparations in large quantities, accumulate in the stool and provoke the appearance of a characteristic grayish-white color. When using iron preparations, the color is darker to black. A change in the color of the stool is possible with prolonged use of antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Rare causes

• Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, chronic enteritis.
• Celiac disease.
• Malignant tumors: pancreatic head cancer, duodenal cancer.
• Atresia of the biliary tract.

Diagnosis

A gastroenterologist is in charge of identifying the cause of gray stools. The specialist collects an anamnesis and complaints in order to establish the cause of the onset of dyspeptic disorders. Diagnostics includes instrumental imaging methods, which, according to indications, are supplemented by invasive techniques. To clarify the diagnosis, laboratory tests are prescribed. More informative methods:

• Coprogram. Microscopic analysis of grayish-white stool reveals undigested food, muscle fibers and starch grains. The absence of stercobilin is pathognomonic. To confirm the diagnosis of pancreatitis, a study of the level of elastase in the feces is performed. Bacteriological analysis is necessary to detect dysbacteriosis and bacterial proliferation syndrome.
• Chemistry of blood. With obstructive jaundice, cholestasis syndrome is determined – an increase in the amount of cholesterol and the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Elevated levels of ALT and AST indicate cytolysis and parenchymal jaundice. To check the exocrine function of the pancreas, the concentration of pancreatic lipase and amylase is measured.
• Ultrasound. In order to identify the organic cause of the grayish-white hue of feces, an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity is performed with targeted scanning of the organs of the hepatobiliary zone. The study allows you to view the signs of the inflammatory process of the gallbladder, heterogeneous echogenicity of the liver parenchyma, rounded volumetric neoplasms.
• Duodenal intubation. To assess the flow of bile in the intestine, after stimulation with secretory drugs, several portions of bile are sequentially taken. Usually slow release of bile or its complete absence with obstruction of the common bile duct. The collected material is sent to the laboratory for bacteriological analysis.
• Cholangiopancreatography. White stools usually appear when the biliary tract is affected, so cardiopulmonary resuscitation is required. The method involves the study of the papilla of Vater and the bile ducts using endoscopic technologies. The study revealed stones of the biliary tract, signs of inflammatory and tumor pathology.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

Gray-white stools caused by dietary inaccuracies do not need to be treated. The patient is advised to consume easily digestible foods (stewed vegetables, soups, lean meat) for several days and reduce the size of portions. Don’t drink alcohol. If during this time the stool has not returned to normal, you should consult a doctor to determine the cause of the disorder.

To avoid diarrhea and discoloration of the stool when taking antibiotics and other toxic drugs, it is recommended to drink natural kefir and yogurt, which are rich in beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Self-administration of enzyme preparations to improve digestion is not recommended, as this can lead to malfunctions of the pancreas.

Conservative therapy

Treatment of dyspeptic disorders, including grayish-white stools, is mainly aimed at eliminating the cause of the onset of symptoms, after which the color and consistency of the stool normalize. Medicines must be supplemented with a special therapeutic diet, which is selected taking into account the disease. In clinical practice, drugs such as:

• Enzyme preparations. Medicines containing pancreatic extract improve the processes of parietal and cavitary digestion in the small intestine. The gray stool disappears a few days after the start of treatment, the severity of other dyspeptic disorders decreases.
• Probiotics. They are a mixture of beneficial bacteria that colonize the colon and prevent the growth of pathogenic microflora. Adults are prescribed long-term antibiotic therapy in combination with prebiotics that stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria.
• Cholagogue preparations. They increase the contractility of the gallbladder and expand the ducts, improve the colloidal properties of bile, so that it is secreted in the intestine in the required quantities. In addition, hepatoprotectors are recommended that protect cells from the toxic effects of bile acids.