What causes pale or clay-colored stools. How are pale stools diagnosed. What treatments are available for pale stools. When should you see a doctor for pale stools. How do medications affect stool color. What role does the liver play in stool color. How do gallstones impact stool appearance.

Understanding Pale Stools: A Comprehensive Guide

Stool color can be an important indicator of your overall health. While normal stools typically range in shades of brown, pale or clay-colored stools may signal an underlying health issue. This article delves into the causes, diagnosis, and treatments of pale stools, providing you with essential information to better understand this condition.

The Role of Bile in Stool Color

Why are normal stools brown? The answer lies in the bile produced by your liver. Bile salts are released into your stool, giving it its characteristic brown color. When your liver isn’t producing enough bile, or if the flow is blocked, your stools may become pale or clay-colored.

Is pale stool always a cause for concern? Not necessarily. Occasional pale stools may not indicate a serious problem. However, persistent pale or clay-colored stools warrant a visit to your healthcare provider to rule out potential illnesses or diseases.

Common Causes of Pale Stools

Several factors can contribute to the appearance of pale stools. Let’s explore some of the most common causes:

1. Medications

Certain medications can induce hepatitis, causing inflammation of the liver that may lead to pale stools. Some examples include:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil)
• Naproxen (EC-Naprosyn)
• Birth control pills
• Some antibiotics
• Anabolic steroids
• Many herbal supplements
• Statins (Lipitor)

How long does drug-induced hepatitis last? For most people, drug-induced hepatitis and the associated discolored stools typically resolve within a few weeks after discontinuing the medication.

2. Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis, caused by viruses such as hepatitis A, B, or C, can lead to liver inflammation and pale stools. Hepatitis C, in particular, often progresses to liver disease if left untreated.

3. Alcoholic Hepatitis

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause alcoholic hepatitis, resulting in liver inflammation and potentially pale stools. This condition can progress to liver disease or liver failure if not addressed.

What’s the primary treatment for alcoholic hepatitis? The most crucial step is to stop drinking alcohol. In some cases, a special diet may be necessary to address malnutrition. Medications like prednisone (Rayos) and pentoxifylline (Pentopak) can temporarily treat liver inflammation, but long-term abstinence from alcohol is essential for survival.

Biliary System Disorders and Pale Stools

Several conditions affecting the biliary system can result in pale stools:

1. Biliary Cirrhosis

Biliary cirrhosis is an inflammation of the bile ducts in the liver, blocking bile flow to the intestines. While the exact cause remains unknown, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications.

How is biliary cirrhosis treated? Common medications include cholestyramine (Questran) for itching and ursodiol (Urso Forte) to aid in removing bile from the bloodstream. Vitamin supplements (A, K, E, and D) may be recommended to replace nutrients lost in fatty stools.

2. Gallstones

Gallstones can obstruct bile flow, leading to pale stools. Treatment options vary depending on the size and severity of the gallstones.

Can gallstones be treated without surgery? In some cases, medications can dissolve gallstones. However, if the stones are large or medication proves ineffective, surgical removal may be necessary.

3. Sclerosing Cholangitis

This condition involves inflammation or scarring of the bile ducts. While the exact cause is unknown, genetic factors may play a role.

What treatments are available for sclerosing cholangitis? There’s no cure other than liver transplantation, but symptoms can be managed with medications and surgical procedures. Common medications include cholestyramine, prednisone, ursodiol, azathioprine, and cyclosporine. Surgical options may include endoscopic balloon dilation or biliary drainage catheter placement.

Diagnostic Approaches for Pale Stools

When you present with pale stools, your healthcare provider will likely conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause. This may include:

1. Physical examination
2. Detailed medical history
3. Blood tests to assess liver function and check for infections
4. Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI
5. Stool sample analysis
6. Endoscopic procedures in some cases

How long does the diagnostic process typically take? The duration can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the tests required. Your healthcare provider will work to provide a diagnosis as quickly and accurately as possible.

Treatment Options for Pale Stools

The treatment for pale stools depends on the underlying cause. Some general approaches include:

• Discontinuing medications that may be causing the issue
• Treating underlying infections or inflammatory conditions
• Managing liver diseases through lifestyle changes and medications
• Addressing blockages in the biliary system, which may require surgical intervention
• Providing nutritional support and supplements as needed

Can pale stools be cured completely? In many cases, yes. Once the underlying cause is addressed, stool color often returns to normal. However, some chronic conditions may require ongoing management.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While occasional changes in stool color are normal, persistent pale or clay-colored stools warrant medical attention. You should consult a healthcare provider if:

• Your stools remain pale for more than a day or two
• You experience other symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, or weight loss
• You notice blood in your stool
• You develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

What information should you prepare before your doctor’s appointment? Keep a record of your symptoms, including when they started and any changes you’ve noticed. Also, make a list of all medications and supplements you’re taking, as this can be crucial in identifying the cause of pale stools.

Lifestyle Considerations and Pale Stools

While medical treatment is often necessary for pale stools, certain lifestyle factors can also play a role in maintaining healthy bowel function:

Diet and Nutrition

A balanced diet rich in fiber can promote regular bowel movements and overall digestive health. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet.

How much fiber should you consume daily? The general recommendation is 25-30 grams of fiber per day for adults. However, individual needs may vary, so consult with a healthcare provider or nutritionist for personalized advice.

Hydration

Adequate hydration is crucial for maintaining proper digestion and stool consistency. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Exercise

Regular physical activity can help stimulate bowel movements and promote overall digestive health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Stress Management

Chronic stress can impact digestive function. Incorporate stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine.

How does stress affect digestion? Stress can alter gut motility, affect the balance of gut bacteria, and influence the production of digestive enzymes, all of which can impact stool color and consistency.

Preventing Pale Stools

While not all causes of pale stools are preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Limit alcohol consumption
• Practice safe behaviors to avoid viral hepatitis
• Take medications as prescribed and inform your healthcare provider of any side effects
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Follow a balanced diet
• Stay hydrated
• Manage chronic conditions effectively

Can lifestyle changes alone prevent pale stools? While a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of certain conditions that cause pale stools, it’s important to remember that some causes are beyond individual control. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help detect and address potential issues early.

The Future of Pale Stool Diagnosis and Treatment

Medical research continues to advance our understanding of digestive health and the causes of pale stools. Some emerging areas of study include:

Microbiome Research

Scientists are investigating how the gut microbiome influences digestive health and stool characteristics. This research may lead to new treatments targeting the gut bacteria population.

Genetic Testing

Advancements in genetic testing may help identify individuals at higher risk for certain conditions that cause pale stools, allowing for earlier intervention and prevention strategies.

Novel Therapies

Researchers are exploring new medications and treatment approaches for liver and biliary system disorders, which could improve outcomes for patients experiencing pale stools.

What role might artificial intelligence play in diagnosing pale stools? AI technologies are being developed to assist in analyzing medical images and patient data, potentially leading to faster and more accurate diagnoses of conditions causing pale stools.

Understanding pale stools and their potential causes is crucial for maintaining good health. While changes in stool color can be concerning, remember that many causes are treatable. By staying informed, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and seeking medical attention when needed, you can effectively manage your digestive health and address any issues that arise. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options if you experience persistent pale stools or other digestive symptoms.

Pale Stools: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Pale stools 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 or light-colored stools, however, are not typical and may be a sign of an underlying health condition.

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.

Your liver releases bile salts into your stools, giving the stools a brown color. If your liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow of the bile is blocked and can’t drain from your liver, your stools may become pale or clay-colored.

Having occasional pale stools may not be a cause for concern. But if you persistently see pale stools, you may have a serious illness.

You should see a doctor whenever you have consistent pale or clay-colored stools to rule out illness and disease.

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

Medications

Certain medications can cause drug-induced hepatitis. This is a swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by medications.

Some examples include:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• ibuprofen (Advil)
• naproxen (EC-Naprosyn)
• birth control pills
• some antibiotics
• anabolic steroids
• many herbal supplements
• statins (Lipitor)

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.

A 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, it’s recommended to stop drinking alcohol. A doctor can help you if have alcohol dependence.

Alcoholic hepatitis can also cause malnutrition, so a special diet may be required to get the vitamins and other nutrients you need.

Medications such as prednisone (Rayos) and pentoxifylline (Pentopak) can also treat liver inflammation temporarily. However, abstinence from alcohol is essential for long-term survival.

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. Ursodiol (Urso Forte) may also be prescribed, which aids in removing bile from the bloodstream.

A doctor may also suggest taking vitamins A, K, E, and D to replace the nutrients that are lost in fatty stools.

Calcium supplements can also help prevent loss of bone density.

In severe cases, a 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.

There’s no cure for sclerosing cholangitis other than a liver transplant. But certain medications and surgical procedures can help manage symptoms and reduce episodic flares.

Commonly prescribed medications include:

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

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

Some people are born with structural defects in their biliary system that prevent the flow of bile.

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

A 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.

A 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.

A 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 destroy cancer cells.

Cysts

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

The cysts may go away without treatment, or a doctor may perform surgery to remove them. The surgery is typically performed laparoscopically, allowing the doctor to see inside your abdomen by creating small incisions. This minimally invasive surgery causes less discomfort than open surgery.

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

Seek medical care if your child has more than one abnormally colored stool, especially if they haven’t had any brightly colored foods or if the stools are pale, white, or clay-colored. Only a doctor can determine the exact cause and provide the proper treatment.

If the cause is 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.

An experienced healthcare professional will complete a thorough medical interview, including a history of your symptoms, the medications you take, your family history, and how much alcohol and other substances you take.

A physical exam will also be performed to help identify the cause of your pale stools.

Possible tests include:

• Blood tests: These can check for infections and jaundice.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans: These can determine if you have any swelling of your liver or bile ducts.
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): This is a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that can capture detailed images of the biliary system.
• Abdominal ultrasound: This can 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.

Are pale stools normal?

The color of your stools can be an indicator of your overall health. Color can range from dark brown to green. Normally, stools are a shade of brown.

If you observe pale stools that occur more than once, it can be a sign of bile duct blockage or liver problems.

When should I worry about pale stools?

Occasional pale stools may not be something to worry about.

However, if you’re experiencing frequent pale or light-colored stools, you may want to seek medical attention. This could be a sign of an underlying health condition.

Can fatty liver disease cause pale stools?

Pale stools may be a sign of liver disease or a blocked bile duct, especially in children.

Seek a doctor if you notice pale stools, as this may be a sign of liver disease.

Pale Stools: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Pale stools 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 or light-colored stools, however, are not typical and may be a sign of an underlying health condition.

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.

Your liver releases bile salts into your stools, giving the stools a brown color. If your liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow of the bile is blocked and can’t drain from your liver, your stools may become pale or clay-colored.

Having occasional pale stools may not be a cause for concern. But if you persistently see pale stools, you may have a serious illness.

You should see a doctor whenever you have consistent pale or clay-colored stools to rule out illness and disease.

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

Medications

Certain medications can cause drug-induced hepatitis. This is a swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by medications.

Some examples include:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• ibuprofen (Advil)
• naproxen (EC-Naprosyn)
• birth control pills
• some antibiotics
• anabolic steroids
• many herbal supplements
• statins (Lipitor)

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.

A 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, it’s recommended to stop drinking alcohol. A doctor can help you if have alcohol dependence.

Alcoholic hepatitis can also cause malnutrition, so a special diet may be required to get the vitamins and other nutrients you need.

Medications such as prednisone (Rayos) and pentoxifylline (Pentopak) can also treat liver inflammation temporarily. However, abstinence from alcohol is essential for long-term survival.

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. Ursodiol (Urso Forte) may also be prescribed, which aids in removing bile from the bloodstream.

A doctor may also suggest taking vitamins A, K, E, and D to replace the nutrients that are lost in fatty stools.

Calcium supplements can also help prevent loss of bone density.

In severe cases, a 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.

There’s no cure for sclerosing cholangitis other than a liver transplant. But certain medications and surgical procedures can help manage symptoms and reduce episodic flares.

Commonly prescribed medications include:

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

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

Some people are born with structural defects in their biliary system that prevent the flow of bile.

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

A 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.

A 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.

A 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 destroy cancer cells.

Cysts

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

The cysts may go away without treatment, or a doctor may perform surgery to remove them. The surgery is typically performed laparoscopically, allowing the doctor to see inside your abdomen by creating small incisions. This minimally invasive surgery causes less discomfort than open surgery.

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

Seek medical care if your child has more than one abnormally colored stool, especially if they haven’t had any brightly colored foods or if the stools are pale, white, or clay-colored. Only a doctor can determine the exact cause and provide the proper treatment.

If the cause is 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.

An experienced healthcare professional will complete a thorough medical interview, including a history of your symptoms, the medications you take, your family history, and how much alcohol and other substances you take.

A physical exam will also be performed to help identify the cause of your pale stools.

Possible tests include:

• Blood tests: These can check for infections and jaundice.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans: These can determine if you have any swelling of your liver or bile ducts.
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): This is a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that can capture detailed images of the biliary system.
• Abdominal ultrasound: This can 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.

Are pale stools normal?

The color of your stools can be an indicator of your overall health. Color can range from dark brown to green. Normally, stools are a shade of brown.

If you observe pale stools that occur more than once, it can be a sign of bile duct blockage or liver problems.

When should I worry about pale stools?

Occasional pale stools may not be something to worry about.

However, if you’re experiencing frequent pale or light-colored stools, you may want to seek medical attention. This could be a sign of an underlying health condition.

Can fatty liver disease cause pale stools?

Pale stools may be a sign of liver disease or a blocked bile duct, especially in children.

Seek a doctor if you notice pale stools, as this may be a sign of liver disease.

💩 Wrong Dog Stool Color: A Guide

Did you know that you can learn a lot about your dog’s health and well-being by checking the color of his stool?

It turns out that its color can be a harbinger of health problems and, if you know what to look for, it will help you recognize the disease in time.

Have you ever encountered black or yellow dog stool and wondered what could be causing it?

Very dark or even black dog poop can be a sign of stomach ulcers in dogs or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Black dog feces get their color because the blood is not fresh – it has been digested and has darkened.

What to do: Keep an eye on your dog’s litter. If they lose weight and vomit regularly, as well as leaving black dog poop, call your veterinarian.

Gray stool appears if your dog’s digestive system struggles with the breakdown of fats.

This can happen either as a result of eating too much fatty food or because of a more complex problem with the pancreas.

What to do: Review your dog’s diet, he may be eating too many fatty foods, or he has the ability to secretly absorb them from you.

It is unlikely that you will see white dog feces , but if there are many white spots in the feces (which look like small grains of rice), this is a sure sign that they have tapeworms.

What to do: Deworm your dog as soon as possible! Your veterinarian will be able to help you find the right tapeworm product for you.

Red stool that contains red streaks can be a sign of several things:

• Colitis
• Anal gland infection 2 There is always a possibility that the cause of the appearance of red stool is also a cut on the the anus of the dog, which does not cause immediate concern.

  What to do: If you see red streaks in your dog’s stool, contact your veterinarian if this happens repeatedly.

  If your dog has stool that is pink or purple like jam, contact your veterinarian immediately. This may be a sign of severe gastroenteritis.

  Yellow stool in a dog is usually a sign of a food intolerance.

  What to do: If you have recently changed your dog’s diet or know that he has eaten something he shouldn’t, consider changing his diet. If you haven’t made any changes and don’t know why your dog has yellow stools, talk to your veterinarian.

  Orange stool may indicate that the dog’s digestive system is effectively getting rid of digested food ahead of time.

  Look at the liver or gallbladder. Bile breaks down food, turning stool brown.

  Green feces . The dog was eating grass again. But green stool can also be a sign of poisons or parasites.

  What to do: It all comes down to circumstances. You probably don’t have anything to worry about if you know your dog has eaten a lot of grass, but if other symptoms are showing, such as restlessness and vomiting, see your veterinarian.

  Black feces in a child – Life

  Black stools can be a symptom of serious diseases of the digestive system, but there are also non-dangerous reasons for such coloring of stools. It is also important to note that the black color for the baby’s stool immediately after birth is absolutely normal. This stool is called meconium.

  Harmless reasons
  

  Acquisition of black stool can be caused by the use of prunes, blueberries, dark grapes, blackberries, cherries, pomegranates, beets and other products.

  Some foods may turn stool black, this should not be a cause for concern

  Black grains
  

  If you notice inclusions of various forms of black color in the feces, then most often these are food residues that have not been digested in the children’s intestines. In the form of black dots with the feces of a child, fragments of the skin and seeds of grapes, currants, raspberries and other food can be excreted.

  Worms, threads, veins
  

  Black worm-like inclusions in the stool may result from eating bananas. Such inclusions are often perceived by adults as worms, but in reality there are no black worms (almost always they are white or yellowish worms).

  The use of bananas can cause black inclusions in the form of worms in the feces. Don’t worry, there are no black worms

  Iron preparations, activated charcoal
  

  Black stools are caused by drugs containing iron. These can be both iron preparations and vitamins or dietary supplements that include this element. In artificial children, mixtures with a large amount of iron can lead to black coloring of feces. Also, the stool of a child who was given activated charcoal takes on a black color.

  Drugs that can cause black stools also include anti-clotting drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs. By themselves, they do not change the color of the stool, but they can cause internal bleeding, manifested by black diarrhea.

  Serious causes
  

  One of the most dangerous causes of black stools is internal bleeding from one of the sections of the digestive tract. Discharge with such bleeding looks like black diarrhea. The blood that is secreted from the esophagus and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract changes color under the influence of intestinal bacteria and enzymes. Pathology is manifested not only by the black color of the stool, but also by dizziness, weakness, pallor.

  In case of black diarrhea in a child, do not hesitate and call a doctor

  With blood
  

  If your baby has black, bloody stools, this may be a symptom of some serious bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease). With this type of feces, you must definitely call a doctor.

  After surgery
  

  Black stools in the postoperative period may indicate internal bleeding.

  Temperature and black-green
  

  These symptoms are characteristic of an intestinal infection and are also accompanied by nausea and abdominal pain.

  Gray
  

  This coloration of the feces often appears after the introduction of a new mixture in the diet of the artificial crumbs. Also, a grayish tint is characteristic of the stool of babies receiving undiluted cow’s milk. Some complementary foods and medicines can also cause this shade of feces.

  Gray color of feces is most often harmless and caused by introduction of complementary foods.

  Gray color of liquefied feces is characteristic of rotavirus infection, which, along with diarrhea, is manifested by fever, abdominal pain. In addition, a light gray color of feces is possible with pathologies of the liver and pancreas.

  What to do?
  

  Having noticed the darkening of the child’s feces, it is necessary to analyze what foods, medicines and drinks the baby has consumed in recent days.