What causes gray poop? Which drugs can lead to liver damage? Discover the surprising answers and learn how to prevent and manage drug-induced liver injury.

The Surprising Causes of Liver Damage: Understanding Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Liver damage can be a serious and unexpected consequence of taking certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. This condition, known as drug-induced liver injury (DILI), can be caused by more than 1,000 different drugs and chemicals. The liver is a key site for drug metabolism, making it particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these substances.

Drugs that Can Damage the Liver

A wide range of medications can potentially cause liver damage, including antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, and even some herbal supplements such as green tea extract. The risk of liver damage is dependent on factors such as the dosage, individual genetic and environmental factors, and pre-existing medical conditions.

Understanding the Types of Drug-Induced Liver Injury

DILI can be classified as either intrinsic or idiosyncratic. Intrinsic DILI is predictable and depends on the dosage of the drug, while idiosyncratic DILI is more unpredictable and relies on individual risk factors. Recognizing the differences between these two types is crucial for early detection and management of liver damage.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Drug-Induced Liver Injury

The symptoms of DILI can vary widely, with some individuals experiencing no symptoms at all. The most common sign is jaundice, which causes the eyes and skin to take on a yellow-green hue due to the buildup of bilirubin. Other symptoms may include weakness, abdominal pain, dark stool, dark urine, nausea, and itchy skin. Diagnosing DILI can be challenging, as it often resembles other liver and gastrointestinal disorders.

Risk Factors for Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Numerous factors can contribute to the development of DILI, including genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and pre-existing medical conditions. Older age, female sex, poor nutrition, alcohol use, and certain combinations of drugs can all increase the risk of liver damage. Understanding these risk factors is crucial for identifying and managing DILI.

Preventing and Treating Drug-Induced Liver Injury

To prevent DILI, it’s important to be aware of the potential liver-damaging effects of the medications and supplements you’re taking. Healthcare providers may recommend regular liver function tests, dose adjustments, or the use of alternative medications to minimize the risk of liver damage. In the event of DILI, prompt recognition and discontinuation of the offending drug are essential, along with supportive care and monitoring of liver function.

The Importance of Reporting and Tracking Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Reporting cases of DILI is crucial for improving our understanding of this condition and developing better prevention and treatment strategies. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases maintains a comprehensive database called LiverTox, which tracks medications and herbal compounds that can cause liver damage. By sharing information and collaborating on research, healthcare professionals can work to reduce the burden of drug-induced liver injury.

Managing Gray Poop and Other Symptoms of Liver Damage

One of the most noticeable symptoms of liver damage is the appearance of gray or pale-colored stool, often referred to as “gray poop.” This coloration is due to a decrease in the production of bile, which is normally responsible for giving stool its brown hue. While gray poop can be an indicator of liver problems, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.

The Role of Genetics and Environment in Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Genetic factors play a significant role in an individual’s susceptibility to DILI. Mutations in enzymes involved in drug metabolism, as well as variations in immune system components, can increase the risk of liver damage. Environmental factors, such as age, sex, nutrition, alcohol intake, and pre-existing conditions, can also contribute to the development and severity of DILI. Understanding the interplay between these genetic and environmental factors is crucial for identifying high-risk individuals and tailoring preventive strategies.

The Challenges of Diagnosing and Treating Drug-Induced Liver Injury

DILI can be a complex and challenging condition to diagnose, as the symptoms often resemble those of other liver and gastrointestinal disorders. The difficulty is further compounded when the culprit is a herbal or dietary supplement, as these products are not as well-regulated as prescription medications. Prompt recognition and discontinuation of the offending drug are essential, but treatment may also require supportive care and close monitoring of liver function.

The Importance of Reporting and Tracking Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Reporting cases of DILI is crucial for improving our understanding of this condition and developing better prevention and treatment strategies. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases maintains a comprehensive database called LiverTox, which tracks medications and herbal compounds that can cause liver damage. By sharing information and collaborating on research, healthcare professionals can work to reduce the burden of drug-induced liver injury.

Conclusion

Drug-induced liver injury is a significant and often unexpected consequence of taking certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. Understanding the causes, risk factors, and symptoms of DILI is essential for healthcare providers and patients to work together to prevent, diagnose, and manage this potentially serious condition. By staying informed and reporting any cases of suspected DILI, we can contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve the safety and well-being of those who rely on medications for their health and well-being.

Which drugs cause liver damage?

More than 1,000 different drugs and chemicals can cause liver damage. This occurs in a process called drug-induced liver injury (DILI), toxicity, or damage.

The liver is a key site for metabolizing drugs. As a result, it is the area that the toxins within drugs most affect.

Examples of drugs that can damage the liver include antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, and herbal supplements such as green tea extract. The effects are dependent on the dosage and certain environmental and genetic risk factors.

This article looks at how some drugs can affect the liver. It also discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of liver damage.

DILI is the technical term for liver damage that results from toxins within drugs. The condition can be a temporary or long-term response to the toxins, and the compounds containing the toxic substances can be either naturally occurring or artificially manufactured.

DILI can be intrinsic or idiosyncratic. Intrinsic means that the injury depends on the dosage, which makes it easier to predict and avoid. There is also a short latency period, meaning that there is not much time between taking the drug and experiencing the condition.

Idiosyncratic DILI is harder to control. It has a long latency period, as the condition tends to begin 1–2 weeks after taking the drug. Idiosyncratic cases tend to depend more on individual risk factors than factors relating to the drug itself, which makes them difficult to predict.

DILI is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases keeps a searchable database called LiverTox, which lists the medicines and herbal compounds that can damage the liver.

There are more than 1,000 types that can cause damage. These include prescription and nonprescription medications and selected dietary and herbal supplements.

The table below gives some examples of these drugs.

Herbal and dietary supplements are responsible for 20% of DILI cases, while antibiotics account for 45.4% of idiosyncratic cases.

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, causes the highest number of intrinsic DILI cases. This is because when the liver metabolizes the drug, it can cause too many reactive metabolites to build up, leading to cell and bodily tissue death.

The duration of the symptoms of DILI varies. Some cases are acute, with the condition being only temporary, while others are chronic, meaning that it lasts for an extended period. However, people typically develop signs and symptoms within 3–6 months of taking the drug.

The type and extent of the symptoms can also differ, with many people not experiencing any symptoms.

For those who do, the most common symptom is jaundice, which causes the eyes to appear yellow and the skin to look green-yellow due to too much bilirubin collecting in the cells.

Other common symptoms include:

• weakness
• abdominal pain
• dark stool
• dark urine
• nausea
• pruritis, which is the term for itchy skin

The primary cause of DILI is whichever drug has injured the liver, but the process varies depending on whether the condition is intrinsic or idiosyncratic.

When the condition is intrinsic, the dosage of a drug is the leading cause.

The cause of idiosyncratic DILI is a combination of risk factors that relate to the drug, the individual, and the environment.

The level of risk varies according to the drug. However, additional factors can dictate the severity of DILI. This is particularly the case with idiosyncratic DILI, although risk factors can also contribute to intrinsic DILI.

According to a 2020 study, the main risk factors fall under genetic and environmental categories. Genetic factors are unique to the individual and may include the following:

• mutation within an enzyme called the cytochrome P450 enzyme
• genetic expression in transport proteins
• genetic expression in nuclear receptors
• changes to the levels of immune components

Environmental factors are more general and can include:

• older age
• female sex
• nutritional status
• alcohol intake
• pregnancy
• high body mass index (BMI)
• inflammation
• pre-existing conditions
• the particular combination of drugs
• any previous reactions to drugs

Alterations in gut microbiota are also a key risk factor, as they affect the function of the immune system and how the body metabolizes drugs.

The risk does not depend on these factors independently. The area requires more research, but studies suggest that the risk comes from how the drug, individual, and environmental factors combine and interact.

DILI can be difficult to diagnose, as many people do not experience symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the condition appears similar to other disorders relating to the liver and nearby organs.

The condition is particularly challenging to diagnose when the cause is a herbal or dietary supplement. This is because people are less likely to be aware of toxic substances within the compound, and it is harder to establish a link between the cause and condition.

Doctors may use different criteria when making a diagnosis. There are currently no tests available for diagnosing DILI specifically, so the process of elimination plays a large role in the diagnosis. However, certain biomarkers within the body may support a diagnosis. These include glutamate dehydrogenase and keratin-18.

A healthcare professional will generally begin a diagnosis by evaluating a person’s medical history, including any pre-existing liver conditions and their history of drug use, and establishing when the condition started and how it has progressed. The next steps will depend on the outcome of this stage, but the doctor is likely to conduct blood tests.

A doctor may also request a liver biopsy. This will not determine whether a person has DILI, but they can use the results to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms.

A key preventive measure is to understand a drug’s effects before taking it. If people are aware of the possible effects, they are more likely to identify them and link them back to the drug.

People should always speak with a doctor before taking any new medications or herbal or dietary supplements.

Doctors may sometimes use the following compounds to prevent liver injury from drugs.

• Rapamycin: This compound induces autophagy, which is the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells and producing new, healthier cells.
• Chloroquine: This compound inhibits autophagy.
• 3-methyladenine: This compound also inhibits autophagy.

Autophagy is the mechanism that enables cells to respond to stress. By controlling this process, scientists hope to reduce or prevent DILI.

The liver is responsible for metabolizing drugs, and, as a result, the organ has high exposure to toxins that may occur within them. More than 1,000 drugs and herbal compounds can cause liver damage.

DILI can be intrinsic, meaning that it results from too high a dosage, or idiosyncratic, which occurs due to a combination of risk factors.

Currently, no specific tests are available for diagnosing DILI, so doctors may use different diagnostic criteria when confirming the condition.

Best foods to eat and avoid

A diet beneficial for pancreatitis may be rich in fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils, whole grains, lean meats, fish, and healthy fats such as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).

Certain foods may make abdominal pain caused by pancreatitis worse. It is important to choose foods that will not make symptoms worse and cause discomfort while recovering from pancreatitis.

Read on to learn more about the best foods to eat and those to avoid during episodes of pancreatitis.

The first treatment for pancreatitis sometimes requires a person to refrain from consuming all food and liquids for several hours or even days.

Some people may need an alternate way of getting nutrition if they are unable to consume the required amounts for their body to work properly. This can involve specialized oral nutritional supplements, liquid nutrients administered though an IV, or a combination of methods.

When a doctor allows a person to eat again, they will likely recommend that a person eats small meals frequently throughout the day and avoids fast food, fried foods, and highly processed foods.

Here is a list of foods that may be recommended and why:

• vegetables
• beans and lentils
• fruits
• whole grains
• other plant-based foods that are not fried

These foods are recommended for people with pancreatitis because they tend to be naturally low in fat, which eases the amount of work the pancreas needs to do to aid digestion.

Fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, and whole grains are also beneficial because of their fiber content. Eating more fiber may lower the chances of developing gallstones and acute pancreatitis.

In addition to fiber, the foods listed above also provide antioxidants. Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition, and antioxidants may help reduce inflammation.

Lean meats and fish

Lean meats can help people with pancreatitis meet their protein needs. Some examples include:

• skinless chicken or turkey
• lean or extra-lean ground chicken or turkey
• 95% lean ground beef
• loin or round cuts of beef or pork

Certain types of fish are also lower in fat while providing plenty of protein. These include white fish, such as cod or haddock, and canned fish packed in water (not oil). Some research suggests that eating approximately 2 to 3 servings of fish per week may even help to prevent non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term condition that can make it harder for the body to absorb nutrients from food. If dietary changes and medication are not helping a person to absorb enough nutrition, a doctor may prescribe oral nutritional supplements to help a person gain weight and get the nuritients they need.

According to the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), oral nutritional supplements containing medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) may be helpful for some people with chronic pancreatitis.

However, these supplements are not the same as MCT oil products that people may purchase to pursue weight loss or fitness goals.

MCT oil is a type of fat, and it may not be suitable for everyone. For example, people recovering from acute pancreatitits may be advised to follow a low-fat diet that limits added fats.

With pancreatitis, a person should only consume supplements containing MCTs under a doctor’s advice.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol during an acute pancreatitis attack can worsen the condition or contribute to chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic alcohol use can also cause high triglyceride levels, a major risk factor for pancreatitis.

For people whose chronic pancreatitis is caused by alcohol use, drinking alcohol can result in severe health issues and even death.

Fried foods and high-fat foods

Fried foods and high-fat foods, such as burgers and french fries, can be problematic for people with pancreatitis. The pancreas helps with fat digestion, so foods with more fat make the pancreas work harder.

Other examples of high-fat foods to avoid include:

• high-fat dairy products, such as cream, whole milk, and full fat cheeses
• processed meats, such as hot dogs and sausage
• mayonnaise
• potato chips

Eating these types of processed, high-fat foods can also lead to heart disease.

Refined carbohydrates

Registered dietitian Deborah Gerszberg recommends that people with chronic pancreatitis limit their intake of refined carbohydrates such as white bread, sugary snacks, and sweetened drinks such as soda. Refined carbohydrates can lead to the pancreas releasing larger amounts of insulin.

Foods that are high in sugar can also raise triglycerides. High triglyceride levels are a risk factor for acute pancreatitis.

People recovering from pancreatitis may find that they tolerate smaller, more frequent meals. Eating six times per day may work better than eating three meals per day.

During recovery from acute pancreatitis, doctors typically recommend a low-fat diet. This may reduce symptoms and help prevent acute pancreatitis from recurring. But with chronic pancreatitis, the recommendations may be different.

According to ESPEN guidelines, most people with chronic pancreatitis do not need to limit their overall fat intake. Instead, they should try to consume a balanced diet.

However, people with chronic pancreatitis may be advised to avoid a very high fiber diet. With this condition, a very high fiber diet may reduce nutrient absorption.

People with pancreatitis can talk with a doctor or a registered dietitian to create an eating plan that meets their specific needs.

Certain risk factors for pancreatitis, such as family history, cannot be changed. However, people can change some lifestyle factors that impact risk.

Obesity increases the risk for pancreatitis, so achieving and maintaining a healthy weight may help lower risk of developing pancreatitis. A healthy weight also lowers risk for gallstones, which are a common cause of pancreatitis.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol and smoking also raise an individual’s risk for pancreatitis, so cutting back or avoiding these can help with preventing the condition.

Treatment for pancreatitis may involve hospitalization, intravenous fluids, pain medicine, and antibiotics. A doctor may prescribe a low-fat diet, but people who are unable to eat by mouth may need an alternate way of receiving nutrition.

Surgery or other medical procedures may be recommended for some cases of pancreatitis.

People with chronic pancreatitis may have difficulty digesting and absorbing certain nutrients. These issues raise the risk of the person becoming malnourished. People with chronic pancreatitis may need to take digestive enzyme pills to help with digestion and absorbing nutrients.

Depending on the person, certain vitamin supplements may be recommended. Supplements may include the following:

• multivitamin
• calcium
• iron
• folate
• vitamin A
• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• vitamin K
• vitamin B-12

People should ask their healthcare provider before starting any vitamins or supplements. Consuming adequate amounts of fluid is also important.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, acute pancreatitis typically resolves after a few days of treatment. However, some cases of acute pancreatitis can be more serious and involve a long hospital admission.

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-term condition that can permanently damage the pancreas.

It is essential to seek medical attention for pancreatitis, as both acute and chronic forms can have serious complications.

Following dietary recommendations can help people to improve the symptoms of pancreatitis and allow for a quicker recovery in some cases.

Light-coloured feces – the reasons for changing the color of feces to white or gray

Light-colored feces on a bright sunny day is far from a good sign. Poops are different. Their normal color should range from brown to tan. If you notice that your feces has acquired a light shade – discolored, turned gray or white, then you should think about it. This phenomenon is not normal and it is possible that negative changes in the work of your body have affected the lightening of feces. With the help of poop, the body can give us signals and talk about any deviations in its work, ask you to help it. Therefore, let’s learn to understand what our body says when poop takes on a light color – white or gray.

What influences changes in the color of feces to white or gray – the causes of its discoloration

An element such as stercobilin is responsible for the color of feces, it is the end product of the breakdown of bilirubin. Stercobilin stains feces brown. Therefore, light stool indicates a lack of stercobilin. For more information about the process of coloring feces and the color variations that it can take, you can read in the article about the color of feces.

Now let’s find out what the lack of coloring pigment can be connected with.

White feces as a result of malfunction of the gallbladder

One of the most common causes of white stools is blockage of the gallbladder ducts. Stercobilin is a bile pigment and, as a result of the difficulty of its transportation, the feces become discolored, becoming white, gray or clay-colored. Other symptoms may indicate problems with bile transport, the most obvious being yellowing of the eyes and skin. Blockage of the bile ducts can occur when they are swollen or stones form. Stones, in turn, are very dangerous, since the bile duct connects with the pancreatic duct, which will lead to a violation of its secretions.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW!

Stones in the gallbladder are formed with abnormal nutrition or frequent fasting. The gallbladder needs regular contractions, they occur during meals. The contracting gallbladder releases bile into the intestines to break down fats. When fasting, there are no contractions and, accordingly, the release of bile, which leads to the formation of stones!

When the pancreatic ducts are clogged, its juices will begin to corrode its own tissues, which will further contribute to the leakage of pancreatic juice, which in turn will begin to break down the body from the inside and can lead to death. Therefore, white feces is one of the signs of the need for an urgent medical examination.

Light-coloured stools as a symptom of abnormal liver function

The liver plays one of the main roles in digestion. It is in it that bile acids are formed, which then accumulate in the gallbladder. This is not the only process that occurs in the liver that changes the color of feces to gray or white. A lot of different processes and metabolisms of various kinds of substances take place in the liver. In particular, the metabolism of bilirubin, during the decay of which the coloring pigment stercobilin is formed. Various kinds of liver dysfunction can also appear as white stools.

Other causes of white stool in adults

White feces can be caused not only by the above reasons, the microflora of the intestine itself can affect the color change of the poop. Light-colored feces occur when bile pigments do not interact properly due to changes in the intestinal microflora.

The microflora, in turn, may change for the following reasons:

• The use of any drugs that contribute to intestinal dysbacteriosis. Most often this phenomenon against the background of taking antibiotics.
• You may have experienced a lot of stress lately, which could have contributed to changes in the intestines causing lightening of the stool.
• A sudden change in diet or an unhealthy diet also leads to disruption of the intestines. For the body, this is a stressful situation. Therefore, this factor can be attributed to the above. Most often, this factor affects the change in the color of feces to gray in children, when changing the diet.

The above causes of changes in the intestinal microflora most often cause white feces.

If your stool has changed color to white, gray or clayey and this is accompanied by other changes in your body, such as nausea, sudden changes in temperature, pain in the liver, yellowing of the eyes or skin, then the most likely cause of white stool is an abnormality in work of the liver and gallbladder. In such cases, you should not self-medicate. Problems with these organs can lead to serious consequences, including death. And improper self-treatment will only negatively affect the situation, and instead of providing treatment, you only finish off your organs. Our body is a holistic system, everything is interconnected in it. And if some organ fails, perhaps the source of the problem is in a completely different place. To identify the cause, it is necessary to pass a series of tests and conduct an examination; this cannot be done at home.

Causes of light stools in pregnant women and children

Before a child appears, it must be conceived and then endured. So let’s start first with pregnant women and then move on to children.

In pregnant women, gray feces can be observed due to the use of a large amount of fruits and all kinds of vitamin complexes. A child needs a lot of vitamins. If this is not accompanied by abdominal pain and other types of ailments, then most likely there is no cause for concern. When changing the diet, the color of feces should return to normal. But it is better to consult a doctor.

Newborns may also show abnormal stool color. Babies’ poop may contain white patches. These inclusions are nothing more than lumps of fat from the mother’s breast milk. Also, with abundant feeding with milk mixtures, baby shit can take on a light color. Diet adjustment is needed to normalize the color of the newborn’s stool. But do not lose vigilance, carefully monitor the behavior and possible changes in the mood of your child, maybe something hurts him. In this case, the cause of light poop is no longer food, but something else. In any case, it is better to play it safe and consult a pediatrician.

So the couple came to take stock. Know that you need to regularly check what you got there when you go to the toilet for the most part. What if for you there is a message or a distress signal? In some cases, timely noticed changes will play a significant role in the treatment. Be attentive to all the changes in your body, it has its own alphabet to communicate with you, and sometimes its letters are poop.

And remember, a site about poop will always be glad to you and will gladly come to the rescue in any life situation. We wish you healthy feces and excellent digestion and appetite!

With relief!

White stools – causes, signs, examinations and treatments

The stool of a healthy person is predominantly brown in color, the shades of which vary depending on the type of diet. Pale stools, in turn, are not the norm. Most often, it indicates the presence of problems with the outflow of bile, damage to the gallbladder, liver or pancreas. The problem itself does not cause discomfort (except aesthetic), but if it is detected, it is recommended to contact a gastroenterologist or hepatologist as soon as possible. Doctors will help diagnose the underlying disease that provokes pale stools, and start treatment in a timely manner.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver tissue due to a toxic, infectious or autoimmune process. The 5 main viral classifications of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Different viruses are responsible for each type of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis A is caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus. This type of hepatitis is a short-term illness. The hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B. This is a persistent chronic disease. Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is one of the most common blood-borne viral infections. It is a rare form of hepatitis that occurs only in association with hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that results from infection with the hepatitis E virus. The disease is especially dangerous in pregnant women.

Associated symptoms:

• pain in the right iliac region
• abdominal pain
• pale stools
• dark urine
• general weakness in the body

9003 3 yellowing of the skin and pupils of the eye – jaundice

• loss of appetite
• loss weight
• muscle pain – myalgia
• joint pain – arthralgia

Neonatal jaundice is a physiological or pathological condition caused by hyperbilirubinemia and manifested by icteric coloration of the skin and visible mucous membranes in children in the first days of their life. Neonatal jaundice is a common condition, especially in babies born before 38 weeks of gestation (term babies). The condition can also develop during breastfeeding. Newborn jaundice usually occurs because the baby’s liver is not developed enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream. In some patients, jaundice may be caused by an underlying disease as one of the symptoms. Excess bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia) is the main cause of jaundice.

Associated symptoms:

• dark urine
• pale stool
• vomiting
• severe regurgitation
• complete or partial refusal to eat
• drowsiness – hypersomnia
• high fever – hyperpyrexia
• crying
• yellowing of the skin and eye pupils – jaundice
• loss of appetite

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas with possible involvement of surrounding tissues. The disease occurs when digestive juices or enzymes attack the pancreas. The most common causes of pancreatitis include: alcohol abuse and gallstones found in the gallbladder. Other causes of pancreatitis include: abdominal trauma or surgery; high levels of triglycerides in the blood; high levels of calcium in the blood; certain medications such as estrogens, steroids, and thiazide diuretics; infections such as mumps, hepatitis a or b, or salmonella; cystic fibrosis; tumor; certain genetic defects; congenital anomalies of the pancreas; pancreatic injury; smoking cigarettes.

Associated symptoms:

• pain near the umbilicus
• pain in the solar plexus
• pain in the pancreas
• high temperature – hyperpyrexia
• low blood pressure
• yellowing of the skin and pupils of the eye – jaundice
• vomiting
• nausea
• palpitations – tachycardia
• bad breath – halitosis
• abdominal pain

A pyogenic liver abscess is a focus of pus that forms in the liver due to a bacterial infection. Pus is a fluid made up of white blood cells and dead cells that usually forms when the body is fighting an infection. In the case of a pyogenic liver abscess, instead of flowing out of the site of infection, pus accumulates in a pocket inside the organ. The most common cause of a pyogenic liver abscess is a biliary abscess. This is a broad term for diseases of the biliary tract that affect the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Other causes and risk factors include: bacteria from a ruptured appendix, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, bloodstream infection or septicemia, and liver injury from an accident or injury.

Accompanying symptoms:

• pain in the upper abdomen – epigastric region
• pain in the right hypochondrium
• high fever – hyperpyrexia
• diarrhea – diarrhea
• pale-colored feces
• dark urine
• chills and trembling
• weight loss
• vomiting

Biliary sludge is a bile sediment that consists of particles of cholesterol and calcium salts. The listed components tend to thicken if the bile involved in the processes of digestion is not completely released from the gallbladder. Usually, biliary sludge resolves on its own and does not require treatment. In other cases, the sediment crystallizes and forms gallstones. Calculi, in turn, threaten the development of pancreatitis or blockage of the bile ducts, which can only be cured through surgical intervention.

Concomitant symptoms:

• right hypochondrium pain
• pale stools
• vomiting
• clay-colored stools
• nausea
• chest pain
• shoulder pain

Choledocholithiasis is the presence of gallstones in the common bile duct. Gallstones usually form in the gallbladder. The bile duct is a small tube that carries bile from the gallbladder to the intestines. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ below the liver in the upper right part of the abdomen. Stones usually remain in the gallbladder or pass unhindered through the common bile duct. Cholesterol gallstones often look yellow and are the most common type. Scientists believe that cholesterol gallstones are formed due to bile containing: too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, not enough bile salts. They also occur when the gallbladder does not empty completely or often enough. The cause of pigment stones is unknown. They appear in patients suffering from: cirrhosis of the liver, infection of the biliary tract, hereditary blood diseases.

Associated symptoms:

• high fever – hyperpyrexia
• yellowing of the skin and pupils of the eye – jaundice
• loss of appetite
• vomiting
• nausea

900 33 dark urine

• pale stool
• right hypochondrium pain
• pain in the upper abdomen – the epigastric region

Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of cancer that forms in the bile ducts that connect the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. Cholangiocarcinoma occurs mainly in patients over 50 years of age. Cholangiocarcinoma occurs when the DNA of cells in the bile ducts has mutations that cause the cells to multiply out of control and form a tumor. Subsequently, the tumor affects healthy tissue. It is not clear what causes the changes that lead to cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma; heredity. Some DNA changes passed from parents to children cause the development of factors that increase the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. Examples of these conditions are cystic fibrosis and Lynch syndrome.

Concomitant symptoms:

• right hypochondrium pain
• vomiting
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• pale stool
• dark urine
• sweating
• fever – hyperpyrexia
• weight loss
• abdominal pain
• general weakness in the body
• itching of the skin
• yellowing of the skin and pupils of the eye – jaundice

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammation of the digestive tract can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. The inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease affects various areas of the digestive tract. The lesion often extends to the deeper layers of the intestine. The exact cause of Crohn’s disease remains unknown. Previously, diet and stress were considered the main causes, but now these manifestations are attributed by doctors to aggravating factors. An important role in the development of Crohn’s disease is played by heredity and damage to the immune system.

Associated symptoms:

• pain in the anus
• pain in the intestines
• fever – hyperpyrexia
• diarrhea – diarrhea
• blood in the stool
• general weakness in the body
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• convulsions in stomach
• mouth ulcers
• pain in the lower abdomen
• pain in the left iliac region
• skin irritation in the anus

part of the digestive system. Cancer can be caused by genetic mutations. They do not guarantee the development of colon cancer, but increase the chances. Some mutations cause abnormal cells to accumulate in the lining of the colon, forming polyps. These are small benign neoplasms. However, untreated polyps can become cancerous. Removal of these growths by surgery may be a preventive measure. Some factors that increase the risk of colorectal cancer cannot be changed. For example, age and family history affect the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Risk factors that cannot be controlled include: age over 50; a history of colon polyps; previous history of bowel disease; family history of colorectal cancer; the presence of certain genetic syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis.

Accompanying symptoms:

• pain in the central part of the abdomen
• pain in the lower abdomen
• swollen lymph nodes
• dark-colored stools
• pale-colored stools

9003 3 farting and flatulence

• rectal bleeding
• blood in stool
• diarrhea – diarrhea
• constipation

Which doctor to contact

White stool is a non-specific symptom.