What do different stool colors mean? Explore the meaning behind normal and abnormal poop colors, including green, yellow, white, pale, clay-colored, black, and red poop. Get answers to your questions about the causes of changes in stool color.

Understanding Normal Poop Color

Poop is normally brown in color, a result of the bile pigments that travel through the digestive system. The brown hue is a typical sign of a healthy digestive system.

Causes of Green Poop

Green poop can be caused by a variety of factors, including consuming green vegetables, green food coloring, or iron supplements. It can also be a sign of food moving too quickly through the gut, not allowing enough time for the bile to turn the waste brown.

Yellow Poop Explained

Yellow poop is common, especially in babies who breastfeed. It can also be a sign of issues with fat digestion, such as in cases of celiac disease or other digestive disorders.

White, Pale, and Clay-Colored Poop

Pale or clay-colored poop can indicate a lack of bile in the stool, which can be a sign of liver disease, gallstones, or a blockage in the bile ducts.

Black Poop: Causes and Concerns

Black poop can be caused by dark-colored foods or supplements, but it can also be a sign of bleeding in the upper digestive tract. If the black poop is tar-like, it’s important to consult a doctor.

Red or Reddish Poop

Red or reddish poop can be caused by foods like beets or tomato soup, but it can also be a sign of bleeding in the lower digestive tract, which should be evaluated by a medical professional.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you notice any persistent or unexplained changes in the color of your stool, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider. While many color changes are due to diet, some can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Remember, the color of your poop can provide valuable insights into your digestive health. By understanding the different causes of poop color changes, you can be better equipped to identify potential issues and seek appropriate medical care if necessary.

How can I tell if my poop color is normal?
Your poop is generally considered normal if it is a brown color. The brown color is a result of the bile pigments that travel through your digestive system. As long as your poop is a consistent brown shade, it is likely a sign of a healthy digestive system.

Why is my poop green?
There are a few common reasons why your poop may be green in color:
– Eating green vegetables like spinach or kale
– Consuming green food coloring, such as in drinks or popsicles
– Taking iron supplements
– Passing food through your digestive system too quickly, not allowing enough time for the bile to turn the waste brown

What does it mean if my poop is yellow?
Yellow poop is fairly common, especially in breastfed babies. It can also be a sign of issues with fat digestion, such as in cases of celiac disease or other digestive disorders. If your yellow poop is greasy and has a very strong odor, it may indicate your body is not properly digesting fats.

Can pale or white poop be a sign of a health problem?
Yes, pale or clay-colored poop can be a sign of an underlying health issue. It may indicate a lack of bile in the stool, which can be caused by liver disease, gallstones, or a blockage in the bile ducts. If you notice persistent pale or white poop, it’s important to see your doctor.

What causes black poop?
There are a few potential causes of black poop:
– Consuming dark-colored foods or supplements like black licorice, blueberries, or iron supplements
– Medications containing bismuth subsalicylate, like Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol
– Bleeding in the upper digestive tract, which can cause the poop to appear tar-like
If the black poop is not due to diet or medications, it’s important to see your doctor to rule out any serious underlying conditions.

Is red poop always a cause for concern?
Not necessarily. Red or reddish poop can be caused by consuming foods like beets, tomato soup, or red gelatin desserts. However, if the red color is not attributable to your diet, it may be a sign of bleeding in the lower digestive tract. In this case, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider.

What Do Different Poop Colors Mean?

What Do Different Stool Colors Mean?

Different stool colors can mean different things, mostly depending on what you’ve eaten.

You’d probably notice if your poop is a different hue than normal. But what does it mean if it’s green? What about red, yellow, white, or black? Or orange?

Most of the time, minor changes in the color of your waste are due to diet. After all, we don’t eat the same thing at every meal, every day. But sometimes a color change can signal a minor health issue. In rare cases, it means something serious is wrong in your digestive system.

If the color you see before you flush worries you, call your doctor.

Normal Poop Color

Poop is normally brown. The color is the result of what you eat and how much bile is in your stool.

Bile is a fluid your liver makes to digest fats. It starts out as a yellowish green color. But as the pigments that give bile its color travel through your digestive system, they go through chemical changes and turn brown.

Green Poop

Your poop can sometimes have a slightly greenish hue, or even be a more vivid green. Most of the time, green or greenish poop is normal.

Is your diet causing green poop?

Think back on what you’ve been eating. These foods and supplements can cause your poop to be green:

• Green veggies, like spinach or kale
• Green food coloring, such as in drink mixes or ice pops
• Iron supplements

Other causes of green poop

If you have green diarrhea, the color of your food may not be to blame. It’s likely that your meal moved through your gut too quickly, so the fat-digesting bile didn’t have time to turn brown.

Yellow Poop

There may be times when your poop looks more yellow than brown.

This shade is also normal for many people. It’s common for babies, especially those who breastfeed. But if you have yellow poop that looks greasy and smells very bad, it may have too much fat. That could be a sign your body isn’t digesting food properly.

Continued

Is your diet causing yellow poop?

Indirectly, your diet could cause yellow poop. If you have celiac disease, your body can’t handle a protein called gluten, which is in wheat, barley, and rye. If you have the condition and eat foods that have gluten, like many breads, pastas, and cookies, your intestines won’t work as they should. So, if you’re eating those foods, and your poop is yellow, it may be time to see a doctor.

Other causes of yellow poop

There may be other causes of yellow poop that’s greasy and smelly. If it happens to you often, tell your doctor.

White, Pale, or Clay-Colored Poop

Sometimes, poop may not have much color at all.

Is your diet causing pale poop?

If your poop is pale, it’s not likely directly due to a food. But medicines for diarrhea like bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) can sometimes cause pale or clay-colored poop. So can barium, a chalky liquid you drink before you get X-rays of the upper part of your digestive tract.

Continued

Other causes of pale poop

A more serious cause is a lack of bile in your stool. (Remember, bile gives poop its brown color.) Your body makes bile in the liver, stores it in the gallbladder, and releases it into your small intestine to help digest your food. If there’s not enough of it to give your poop its typical brown color, it could be a sign of a problem along the way.

Liver disease, such as hepatitis, can keep bile from getting into your body waste. So can a blockage in the tubes (called ducts) that carry bile. This can happen because of:

• Gallstones
• A tumor
• A condition you’re born with called biliary atresia

Black Poop

Babies’ poop is black for the first few days after they’re born. Otherwise, it may be because you ate something very dark-colored or took a medicine or supplement that causes black poop. But this color can be a sign of a more serious problem: bleeding in the upper part of your digestive tract.

Continued

Is your diet causing black poop?

Foods and supplements that turn poop black include:

• Black licorice
• Blueberries
• Iron supplements

Medicines that have bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) can also cause very dark stools.

Other causes of black poop

Poop that looks like tar is often a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract. Some causes include:

If you don’t think black poop came from what you ate, you need to talk to your doctor.

Red or Reddish Poop

If you see red or reddish poop in the toilet, don’t be alarmed right away. First ask yourself if you’ve had red foods lately.

Is your diet causing red or reddish poop?

Several foods can change the color of your stool to a pink or reddish color:

• Beets
• Tomato soup
• Gelatin dessert
• Red drinks

Other causes of red or reddish poop

Continued

If you don’t think your diet is the cause, the red you see may be blood. And if it’s bright red, the blood likely comes from the lower part of your digestive tract. Common causes include:

• Noncancerous tumors
• Cancer
• Inflammation in the colon, called colitis
• Growths called polyps in your colon
• Conditions caused by small sacs in the wall of the colon, called diverticular disease
• Hemorrhoids

Call your doctor if you see red that’s probably not from food you ate.

Orange Poop

Poop can often come out the color of the food that went in, especially if you have diarrhea. If your poop has an orange hue, it’s most likely due to some orange foods.

Is your diet causing orange poop?

Foods that have beta-carotene can turn your poop orange, such as:

Foods with orange coloring, such as sodas, candy, or gelatin dessert, can also give your poop an orange color.

Continued

Also, antibiotics and antacids that have aluminum hydroxide in them can make your stool orange.

Other causes of orange poop

Rarely, poop can be orange if you have a problem with your liver that causes it to make less bile than normal, or a blockage that keeps bile from leaving the liver and entering your system. But usually, if this is the case, your poop will be pale or clay-colored.

When to Get Help for Poop Color Changes

Most of the time, poop that’s a different color from what you’re used to isn’t something to worry about. It’s rare for it to be a sign of a serious condition in your digestive system. But if it’s white, bright red, or black, and you don’t think it’s from something you ate, call your doctor.

Appearance, color, and what is normal

Poop, also known as stool or feces, is a normal part of the digestive process. Poop consists of waste products that are being eliminated from the body. It may include undigested food particles, bacteria, salts, and other substances.

Sometimes, poop can vary in its color, texture, amount, and odor. These differences can be worrying, but usually, these changes are not significant and will resolve in a day or two. Other times, however, changes in poop indicate a more serious condition.

Keep reading to discover more about the different types of poop, including what is and is not normal.

Normal poop is generally:

• Medium to dark brown: This is because it contains a pigment called bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down.
• Strong-smelling: Bacteria in excrement emit gases that contain the unpleasant odor associated with poop.
• Pain-free to pass: A healthy bowel movement should be painless and require minimal strain.
• Soft to firm in texture: Poop that is passed in one single piece or a few smaller pieces is typically considered to be a sign of a healthy bowel. The long, sausage-like shape of poop is due to the shape of the intestines.
• Passed once or twice daily: Most people pass stool once a day, although others may poop every other day or up to three times daily. At a minimum, a person should pass stool three times a week.
• Consistent in its characteristics: A healthy poop varies from person to person. However, a person should monitor any changes in the smell, firmness, frequency, or color of poop as it can indicate there is a problem.

Image credit: Kylet, 2011.

Devised by doctors in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, England, and based on the bowel movements of nearly 2,000 people, the Bristol stool chart characterizes the different types of poop as shown above.

Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 are considered healthy stool, while types 5 to 7 suggest diarrhea and urgency.

While brown poop is considered the “normal” color of poop, some greenish-brown hues may also be acceptable.

Poop can be other colors too, such as:

Black

Stools that are black, especially if they have the appearance of coffee grounds, suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. Substances such as iron supplements, black licorice, black stout, and bismuth medications also cause black poop.

White

If stools are white, gray, or pale, a person may have an issue with the liver or gallbladder as pale stools suggest a lack of bile. Some anti-diarrhea medications cause white stools.

Green

Spinach, kale, or other green foods can cause green poop. However, green-colored stool may be a sign that there is too much bile and not enough bilirubin in the poop.

Red

Share on PinterestWhile normal poop is usually brown, other colors are possible, including black or white.

Poop that is red-colored may be the result of gastrointestinal bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the stool can indicate hemorrhoids.

Eating beets or red berries, or drinking beet or tomato juice, also turns poop red. Once these foods have passed through the digestive tract, poop should become brown again.

Orange

Consuming many orange-colored foods, which are rich in a pigment called beta-carotene, causes orange stool.

Carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash are among the many foods that contain this pigment.

However, blocked bile ducts or certain medications including some antacids and the antibiotic rifampin can cause orange poop.

Yellow

If stool appears yellow or is greasy-looking, it suggests the poop contains too much fat. This may be the result of absorption issues, or difficulty producing enzymes or bile.

Most people will experience variations in stool color at some stage. Usually, this is down to diet or some other minor cause. However, anyone who experiences changes in poop color that last for 2 or more weeks or has red or black stool should see their doctor.

How long should a poop take?

At most, it should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to pass stool.

People that take longer than this may have constipation, hemorrhoids, or another condition.

The following situations may suggest a digestive issue:

• pooping too often (more than three times daily)
• not pooping often enough (less than three times a week)
• excessive straining when pooping.
• poop that is colored red, black, green, yellow, or white
• greasy, fatty stools
• pain when pooping
• blood in the stool
• bleeding while passing stool
• watery poop (diarrhea)
• very hard, dry poop that is difficult to pass

People experiencing any of these types of poop should see a doctor.

Share on PinterestExcessive caffeine consumption may cause abnormal poop. Staying hydrated can prevent constipation.

Abnormal poop can have many causes, ranging from minor to severe. Causes can include:

Stress

Digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can be triggered or exacerbated by stress. In some people, it can manifest as diarrhea and in others as constipation.

Dehydration

Not drinking enough water and other fluids can lead to constipation, as stool requires moisture to be able to move through the digestive tract. Too much caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration.

Lack of dietary fiber

Fiber acts as a binding substance to give stool its form. It also helps poop to move smoothly through the digestive tract. A diet that is low in fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can lead to bowel problems.

Food intolerances and allergies

People with an intolerance or allergy to certain foods can often experience diarrhea, constipation, or other traits of abnormal poop when they consume a problematic food.

For example, people with lactose intolerance often experience diarrhea if they have dairy, while those with celiac disease will have an adverse reaction to gluten.

Medical conditions

Certain conditions can cause constipation, diarrhea, or other poop abnormalities. Examples of such conditions include:

See a doctor if changes to poop persist for 2 or more weeks.

Seek immediate medical treatment if the stool is bright red, black, or resembles coffee grounds. This suggests blood loss, which could become a medical emergency if left untreated.

How to ensure healthy bowels

To ensure healthy bowel function and healthy poops, follow the tips below:

• Eat enough fiber: Aim to get the recommended minimum daily amount of fiber, which is 25 grams (g) for women and 38 g for men under 50 years old; women over 50 should aim for 21 g while men over 50 should consume 30 g daily.
• Drink plenty of water: A reasonable amount is about 8 glasses (64 ounces) per day. It is especially important to stay hydrated when consuming more fiber.
• Take probiotics. These beneficial bacteria can be found in capsule form, although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics. Probiotics have been found to aid in relief from constipation, as well as infectious diarrhea.
• Try magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide is often used to treat constipation. It is safe for most people, although it is not recommended for people with renal insufficiency.
• Exercise: Staying physically active can encourage normal bowel function and can alleviate constipation. It also relieves stress, a common cause of abnormal poops.

A well-functioning digestive system is essential for health and wellbeing. It also suggests that a person is eating a balanced diet balanced diet.

Poop abnormalities that persist can lead to complications. For example, ongoing diarrhea can result in nutritional deficiencies while constipation can cause bowel obstructions.

Normal poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor the changes and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks.

To encourage a normal bowel function, a person should eat a fiber-rich diet, take regular exercise, try to reduce stress, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Appearance, color, and what is normal

Poop, also known as stool or feces, is a normal part of the digestive process. Poop consists of waste products that are being eliminated from the body. It may include undigested food particles, bacteria, salts, and other substances.

Sometimes, poop can vary in its color, texture, amount, and odor. These differences can be worrying, but usually, these changes are not significant and will resolve in a day or two. Other times, however, changes in poop indicate a more serious condition.

Keep reading to discover more about the different types of poop, including what is and is not normal.

Normal poop is generally:

• Medium to dark brown: This is because it contains a pigment called bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down.
• Strong-smelling: Bacteria in excrement emit gases that contain the unpleasant odor associated with poop.
• Pain-free to pass: A healthy bowel movement should be painless and require minimal strain.
• Soft to firm in texture: Poop that is passed in one single piece or a few smaller pieces is typically considered to be a sign of a healthy bowel. The long, sausage-like shape of poop is due to the shape of the intestines.
• Passed once or twice daily: Most people pass stool once a day, although others may poop every other day or up to three times daily. At a minimum, a person should pass stool three times a week.
• Consistent in its characteristics: A healthy poop varies from person to person. However, a person should monitor any changes in the smell, firmness, frequency, or color of poop as it can indicate there is a problem.

Image credit: Kylet, 2011.

Devised by doctors in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, England, and based on the bowel movements of nearly 2,000 people, the Bristol stool chart characterizes the different types of poop as shown above.

Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 are considered healthy stool, while types 5 to 7 suggest diarrhea and urgency.

While brown poop is considered the “normal” color of poop, some greenish-brown hues may also be acceptable.

Poop can be other colors too, such as:

Black

Stools that are black, especially if they have the appearance of coffee grounds, suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. Substances such as iron supplements, black licorice, black stout, and bismuth medications also cause black poop.

White

If stools are white, gray, or pale, a person may have an issue with the liver or gallbladder as pale stools suggest a lack of bile. Some anti-diarrhea medications cause white stools.

Green

Spinach, kale, or other green foods can cause green poop. However, green-colored stool may be a sign that there is too much bile and not enough bilirubin in the poop.

Red

Share on PinterestWhile normal poop is usually brown, other colors are possible, including black or white.

Poop that is red-colored may be the result of gastrointestinal bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the stool can indicate hemorrhoids.

Eating beets or red berries, or drinking beet or tomato juice, also turns poop red. Once these foods have passed through the digestive tract, poop should become brown again.

Orange

Consuming many orange-colored foods, which are rich in a pigment called beta-carotene, causes orange stool.

Carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash are among the many foods that contain this pigment.

However, blocked bile ducts or certain medications including some antacids and the antibiotic rifampin can cause orange poop.

Yellow

If stool appears yellow or is greasy-looking, it suggests the poop contains too much fat. This may be the result of absorption issues, or difficulty producing enzymes or bile.

Most people will experience variations in stool color at some stage. Usually, this is down to diet or some other minor cause. However, anyone who experiences changes in poop color that last for 2 or more weeks or has red or black stool should see their doctor.

How long should a poop take?

At most, it should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to pass stool.

People that take longer than this may have constipation, hemorrhoids, or another condition.

The following situations may suggest a digestive issue:

• pooping too often (more than three times daily)
• not pooping often enough (less than three times a week)
• excessive straining when pooping.
• poop that is colored red, black, green, yellow, or white
• greasy, fatty stools
• pain when pooping
• blood in the stool
• bleeding while passing stool
• watery poop (diarrhea)
• very hard, dry poop that is difficult to pass

People experiencing any of these types of poop should see a doctor.

Share on PinterestExcessive caffeine consumption may cause abnormal poop. Staying hydrated can prevent constipation.

Abnormal poop can have many causes, ranging from minor to severe. Causes can include:

Stress

Digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can be triggered or exacerbated by stress. In some people, it can manifest as diarrhea and in others as constipation.

Dehydration

Not drinking enough water and other fluids can lead to constipation, as stool requires moisture to be able to move through the digestive tract. Too much caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration.

Lack of dietary fiber

Fiber acts as a binding substance to give stool its form. It also helps poop to move smoothly through the digestive tract. A diet that is low in fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can lead to bowel problems.

Food intolerances and allergies

People with an intolerance or allergy to certain foods can often experience diarrhea, constipation, or other traits of abnormal poop when they consume a problematic food.

For example, people with lactose intolerance often experience diarrhea if they have dairy, while those with celiac disease will have an adverse reaction to gluten.

Medical conditions

Certain conditions can cause constipation, diarrhea, or other poop abnormalities. Examples of such conditions include:

See a doctor if changes to poop persist for 2 or more weeks.

Seek immediate medical treatment if the stool is bright red, black, or resembles coffee grounds. This suggests blood loss, which could become a medical emergency if left untreated.

How to ensure healthy bowels

To ensure healthy bowel function and healthy poops, follow the tips below:

• Eat enough fiber: Aim to get the recommended minimum daily amount of fiber, which is 25 grams (g) for women and 38 g for men under 50 years old; women over 50 should aim for 21 g while men over 50 should consume 30 g daily.
• Drink plenty of water: A reasonable amount is about 8 glasses (64 ounces) per day. It is especially important to stay hydrated when consuming more fiber.
• Take probiotics. These beneficial bacteria can be found in capsule form, although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics. Probiotics have been found to aid in relief from constipation, as well as infectious diarrhea.
• Try magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide is often used to treat constipation. It is safe for most people, although it is not recommended for people with renal insufficiency.
• Exercise: Staying physically active can encourage normal bowel function and can alleviate constipation. It also relieves stress, a common cause of abnormal poops.

A well-functioning digestive system is essential for health and wellbeing. It also suggests that a person is eating a balanced diet balanced diet.

Poop abnormalities that persist can lead to complications. For example, ongoing diarrhea can result in nutritional deficiencies while constipation can cause bowel obstructions.

Normal poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor the changes and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks.

To encourage a normal bowel function, a person should eat a fiber-rich diet, take regular exercise, try to reduce stress, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Appearance, color, and what is normal

Poop, also known as stool or feces, is a normal part of the digestive process. Poop consists of waste products that are being eliminated from the body. It may include undigested food particles, bacteria, salts, and other substances.

Sometimes, poop can vary in its color, texture, amount, and odor. These differences can be worrying, but usually, these changes are not significant and will resolve in a day or two. Other times, however, changes in poop indicate a more serious condition.

Keep reading to discover more about the different types of poop, including what is and is not normal.

Normal poop is generally:

• Medium to dark brown: This is because it contains a pigment called bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down.
• Strong-smelling: Bacteria in excrement emit gases that contain the unpleasant odor associated with poop.
• Pain-free to pass: A healthy bowel movement should be painless and require minimal strain.
• Soft to firm in texture: Poop that is passed in one single piece or a few smaller pieces is typically considered to be a sign of a healthy bowel. The long, sausage-like shape of poop is due to the shape of the intestines.
• Passed once or twice daily: Most people pass stool once a day, although others may poop every other day or up to three times daily. At a minimum, a person should pass stool three times a week.
• Consistent in its characteristics: A healthy poop varies from person to person. However, a person should monitor any changes in the smell, firmness, frequency, or color of poop as it can indicate there is a problem.

Image credit: Kylet, 2011.

Devised by doctors in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, England, and based on the bowel movements of nearly 2,000 people, the Bristol stool chart characterizes the different types of poop as shown above.

Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 are considered healthy stool, while types 5 to 7 suggest diarrhea and urgency.

While brown poop is considered the “normal” color of poop, some greenish-brown hues may also be acceptable.

Poop can be other colors too, such as:

Black

Stools that are black, especially if they have the appearance of coffee grounds, suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. Substances such as iron supplements, black licorice, black stout, and bismuth medications also cause black poop.

White

If stools are white, gray, or pale, a person may have an issue with the liver or gallbladder as pale stools suggest a lack of bile. Some anti-diarrhea medications cause white stools.

Green

Spinach, kale, or other green foods can cause green poop. However, green-colored stool may be a sign that there is too much bile and not enough bilirubin in the poop.

Red

Share on PinterestWhile normal poop is usually brown, other colors are possible, including black or white.

Poop that is red-colored may be the result of gastrointestinal bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the stool can indicate hemorrhoids.

Eating beets or red berries, or drinking beet or tomato juice, also turns poop red. Once these foods have passed through the digestive tract, poop should become brown again.

Orange

Consuming many orange-colored foods, which are rich in a pigment called beta-carotene, causes orange stool.

Carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash are among the many foods that contain this pigment.

However, blocked bile ducts or certain medications including some antacids and the antibiotic rifampin can cause orange poop.

Yellow

If stool appears yellow or is greasy-looking, it suggests the poop contains too much fat. This may be the result of absorption issues, or difficulty producing enzymes or bile.

Most people will experience variations in stool color at some stage. Usually, this is down to diet or some other minor cause. However, anyone who experiences changes in poop color that last for 2 or more weeks or has red or black stool should see their doctor.

How long should a poop take?

At most, it should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to pass stool.

People that take longer than this may have constipation, hemorrhoids, or another condition.

The following situations may suggest a digestive issue:

• pooping too often (more than three times daily)
• not pooping often enough (less than three times a week)
• excessive straining when pooping.
• poop that is colored red, black, green, yellow, or white
• greasy, fatty stools
• pain when pooping
• blood in the stool
• bleeding while passing stool
• watery poop (diarrhea)
• very hard, dry poop that is difficult to pass

People experiencing any of these types of poop should see a doctor.

Share on PinterestExcessive caffeine consumption may cause abnormal poop. Staying hydrated can prevent constipation.

Abnormal poop can have many causes, ranging from minor to severe. Causes can include:

Stress

Digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can be triggered or exacerbated by stress. In some people, it can manifest as diarrhea and in others as constipation.

Dehydration

Not drinking enough water and other fluids can lead to constipation, as stool requires moisture to be able to move through the digestive tract. Too much caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration.

Lack of dietary fiber

Fiber acts as a binding substance to give stool its form. It also helps poop to move smoothly through the digestive tract. A diet that is low in fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can lead to bowel problems.

Food intolerances and allergies

People with an intolerance or allergy to certain foods can often experience diarrhea, constipation, or other traits of abnormal poop when they consume a problematic food.

For example, people with lactose intolerance often experience diarrhea if they have dairy, while those with celiac disease will have an adverse reaction to gluten.

Medical conditions

Certain conditions can cause constipation, diarrhea, or other poop abnormalities. Examples of such conditions include:

See a doctor if changes to poop persist for 2 or more weeks.

Seek immediate medical treatment if the stool is bright red, black, or resembles coffee grounds. This suggests blood loss, which could become a medical emergency if left untreated.

How to ensure healthy bowels

To ensure healthy bowel function and healthy poops, follow the tips below:

• Eat enough fiber: Aim to get the recommended minimum daily amount of fiber, which is 25 grams (g) for women and 38 g for men under 50 years old; women over 50 should aim for 21 g while men over 50 should consume 30 g daily.
• Drink plenty of water: A reasonable amount is about 8 glasses (64 ounces) per day. It is especially important to stay hydrated when consuming more fiber.
• Take probiotics. These beneficial bacteria can be found in capsule form, although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics. Probiotics have been found to aid in relief from constipation, as well as infectious diarrhea.
• Try magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide is often used to treat constipation. It is safe for most people, although it is not recommended for people with renal insufficiency.
• Exercise: Staying physically active can encourage normal bowel function and can alleviate constipation. It also relieves stress, a common cause of abnormal poops.

A well-functioning digestive system is essential for health and wellbeing. It also suggests that a person is eating a balanced diet balanced diet.

Poop abnormalities that persist can lead to complications. For example, ongoing diarrhea can result in nutritional deficiencies while constipation can cause bowel obstructions.

Normal poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor the changes and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks.

To encourage a normal bowel function, a person should eat a fiber-rich diet, take regular exercise, try to reduce stress, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Healthy and Unhealthy Stool: Poop Colors Explained

Although you may not pay much attention to your stools, inspecting them regularly will give you a sense of which colors, shapes, and textures are typical for you. That way, you will know when something is off and when you should contact your doctor.

This article discusses the meaning of different types of poop—from stool that is yellow, green, pale, dark, or red, to stool that is pebble-shaped or that contains mucus. Keep in mind that you should always talk to your doctor about any new or concerning symptoms.

 Verywell / Gary Ferster

Yellow Stool or Diarrhea

Having yellow poop may simply mean that you’ve been eating yellow food items, like sweet potatoes, carrots, turmeric, or yellow food coloring. In addition, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and those taking medication for GERD sometimes have yellow poop.

Stool that has suddenly become yellow can also be a sign of an intestinal infection, particularly if you also have diarrhea, fever, flu-like symptoms, or stomach cramps. Giardiasis, a small intestine infection caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, can also lead to yellow stool or diarrhea.

In some cases, yellow poop can mean there is excess fat in the stool—a condition known as steatorrhea. This can be caused by anything that disrupts the intestinal lining, such as celiac disease or disorders that affect the pancreas, liver, or gallbladder.

Steatorrhea usually looks greasy and may be foul-smelling, frothy, or float in the toilet bowl. It often sticks to the side of the bowl and is difficult to flush away.

Green Stool

There are some common reasons for green stool. Eating lots of leafy vegetables like kale or spinach can give stool a greenish color. But this is normal, and it shouldn’t stop you from getting your fill of these antioxidant-rich foods. Iron supplements and food coloring, including green, purple, and blue dye, can also turn feces an emerald color.

Conditions that speed up intestinal activity, such as a bowel disorder or food poisoning, can also lead to green stool. In women, green stool may occur at certain times during pregnancy.

Stool That Sinks Quickly

Although normal stool shape and frequency varies from person to person, if your stool sinks quickly, you may not be getting enough fluids or fiber in your diet. This type of stool is often dark because it stays in the intestines longer.

The FDA recommends a fiber intake of 28 grams per day. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables, beans, unsalted nuts and seeds are all great sources of fiber.

Floating Stool

If your stool floats every now and then, it’s probably not something to worry about. Most likely, the stool just has an increased amount of gas in it. This can happen after consuming carbonated drinks, beans, and sugary foods. Some gastrointestinal disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause floating stool as well.

However, stool that consistently floats may be a sign that your body is not absorbing fat properly. When this happens, you may have steatorrhea.

Pebble Stool

Stool excreted in small pieces is sometimes called pebble or pellet stool.Fiber forms a gel in the intestines when it is fermented by bacteria in the colon and combined with water. If there is a lack of fiber holding stool together, it may be shaped like small pebbles.

Upping your fiber intake may help; to do this, slowly increase your intake to the recommended daily value of 28 grams. If you are finding it difficult to consume this amount with fiber-rich foods, consider adding a fiber supplement.

Loose Stool

Loose stool (diarrhea) lasting a couple of days or less is common and usually isn’t serious. It can be triggered by a number of different foods, supplements, and medications. For example, consuming too much fructose—a sugar found in honey and many soft drinks and processed foods—can cause loose stool.

Another common cause of loose stool is a gastrointestinal infection—otherwise known as the stomach flu.

Infrequent Stool

If your bowel movements are dry, hard to pass, or infrequent (occurring less than three times a week), you may have constipation.

Certain medications and conditions can result in constipation. But, for many people, the cause is a lack of dietary fiber. Legumes and raspberries are just some of the foods that can help constipation. In some cases, natural remedies may also help.

Mucus in Stool

Mucus is a thick, jellylike substance that lubricates your intestines, protecting them from stomach acid, bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It also makes bowel movements slippery and easy to pass.Although mucus is commonly found in stool, you normally don’t notice it because it tends to be clear.

If you start seeing mucus in your stool or notice that the mucus is white or yellow, mention it to your healthcare provider at your next visit. In some cases, it could be a sign of inflammation or irritation in the intestinal wall due to an underlying health issue.

Pencil-Thin Stool

Excessive straining when you are on the toilet can result in a stool that is long and thin. Bearing down causes the anal muscle to contract and narrows the opening of the anus. Stool that is squeezed through the narrowed opening is thin.  

Consistently thin stools, however, could signal a medical problem.Any condition that obstructs the bowels, such as benign rectal polyps, hemorrhoids, prostate enlargement, or cancer of the colon, rectum, or prostate could cause pencil-thin stool.

Pale Stool

Bile salts in the intestines give stool its usual brown color. Stool that is light-colored (either pale, white, grey, or clay-colored) could indicate a lack of bile in the stool. A blockage of the bile ducts from gallstones, or a condition affecting your gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, can cause decreased bile output.

If you notice that your stools are white, clay-colored, or chalky grey, you should see your doctor, especially if the color continues beyond a few days.When there is steatorrhea, pale or light-colored stool may also be shiny or greasy, floating, and foul-smelling.

Additionally, stool may become temporarily pale after a barium enema test.​

Anytime you have changes in your bowel habits that are accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or pain in your abdomen, you should see your doctor right away. Sometimes, stool changes that do not resolve within a few days can be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

Undigested Food in Stool

Seeing undigested food in your stool on occasion typically isn’t anything to worry about. Certain plant foods, such as corn and grape skins, are often recognizable in stool. That’s because the human body lacks the enzymes needed to digest certain parts of plant cell walls.

Eating more slowly and chewing each bite thoroughly can help. If you see undigested food in your stool regularly and you also have other changes in your bowel habits, like diarrhea or stomach cramps, it’s a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider.

Bright Red Stool

Bright red stool can be caused by beets, cranberries, tomato juice or soup, or products containing red food coloring, like Kool-Aid or red licorice. Red medicines, such as amoxicillin, may also turn stool red.

If there is blood in your stool, the color depends on where the bleeding takes place in the digestive tract. Blood from the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach or esophagus, will look dark by the time it exits the body as a bowel movement.

Blood that is bright red is more likely to come from the lower gastrointestinal tract, such as the large intestine or rectum. This may be caused by hemorrhoids, anal fissures, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, or colon cancer, among other conditions.

Blood in the stool doesn’t always appear bright red. Blood may be also present in stool but not visible—this is known as “occult” blood. The fecal occult blood test is a common test used to detect hidden blood in the stool.

Black or Dark Stool

Certain foods, supplements, and medications can temporarily turn stool black, such as:

• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate)
• Iron supplements
• Activated charcoal supplements
• Dark foods, such as black licorice, blueberries, Oreo cookies, blackberries, grape juice, or blueberries

Stool can also appear darker with constipation. Dark green stool from bile that hasn’t had time to break down may look black in certain lighting.

Stool that is almost black, dark, or tar-like with a thick consistency may mean there is bleeding in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. Medical conditions that can cause dark, tar-like stool include duodenal or gastric ulcers, esophageal varices, a Mallory-Weiss tear, and gastritis.

If you experience black stool and it is not from food or supplements, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

When to See Your Doctor

While it’s normal for bowel movements to vary from day to day depending on what you eat and drink, stool should generally be some shade of brown. Stools should leave the body with little straining or discomfort, have a toothpaste-like consistency, and look more like a banana than a pencil. You shouldn’t see mucus or blood.

Be sure to see your doctor right away if your stool is bright red, black, or pale, or if you have additional symptoms like abdominal pain. You should also see your doctor if it is consistently thin or pencil-like, loose or watery, or accompanied by mucus or pus.

Summary

Most day-to-day variations in the appearance of your stool have to do with what you eat or drink. While the biggest concerns are unusual poop colors or shapes that persist, consult your doctor if you’re concerned about your stool, or if you notice any changes in your bowel habits or additional symptoms.

A Word From Verywell

A number of factors could be causing a change in your stool’s color, shape, or consistency. Some factors are less concerning than others. For example, if you are constipated, if your stool is pebble-shaped, or if it sinks quickly, you may simply need to add more fiber to your diet.

However, keep in mind that seemingly harmless changes, like stool that is pencil-thin, can actually be a sign of a life-threatening condition. Since pencil-thin stool is also a sign of colon cancer, being able to recognize the change in shape may, in turn, help your doctor make an early diagnosis.

What color is your poop and other pressing fecal matters

​There is no really genteel way to discuss the topic, but the bottom line is that fecal matters. What comes out is a clue to what goes on inside, and knowledge is a terrible thing to waste. Consider this your school on stool.

1. It’s a bunch of crap

In a typical bowel movement, roughly three-quarters of stool volume is water. The remaining 25 percent is a mixture of bacteria (live and dead), undigested food (such as seeds, nuts, corn and beans) and substances contributed by the intestines and liver, such as mucus and bile, which aids in the digestion of fats.

2. Shape of (stuff in) water

In truth, no two stools are the same, but there’s an actual chart that categorizes discharged waste by its shape. It’s called the Bristol Stool Scale, developed at England’s
Bristol Royal Infirmary as a clinical assessment tool. The scale was devised after Stephen Lewis and Ken Heaton noticed in a 1992 study that an unexpected prevalence of defecation disorders were related to the shape and type of stool. They published their new scale in 1997 in the
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. The Bristol scale categorizes stool by seven types:

• 
  Type 1: Separate hard lumps, like nuts (severe constipation)
• 
  Type 2: Sausage-shaped, but lumpy (mild constipation)
• 
  Type 3: Like a sausage but with cracks on its surface (normal)
• 
  Type 4: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft (normal)
• 
  Type 5: Soft blobs with clear cut edges (lacking fiber)
• 
  Type 6: Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool (mild diarrhea)
• 
  Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces, entirely liquid (severe diarrhea)

In their initial studies, Lewis and Heaton found that types 1 and 2 were more prevalent in females, while types 5 and 6 were more prevalent in males.

3. Color My Whirled

The color of stool is most broadly influenced by what you eat and the amount of bile present. As yellowish-green bile pigments travel through your gastrointestinal tract, enzymes chemically alter their color, changing them from green to brown. The brown is also due to the presence of bilirubin, a product resulting from dead red blood cells being broken down in the intestine. All shades of brown and even green are considered normal. Only rarely does the color of stool suggest a serious health problem.

• 
  Green: It could be due to the consumption of leafy green vegetables, green food coloring, iron supplements or possibly food moving too quickly through the large intestine (diarrhea) so that bile doesn’t have enough time to break down completely.
• 
  Light-colored, white or clay-colored: Lack of bile; may indicate duct obstruction. Certain medications, such as anti-diarrheal drugs containing large doses of bismuth subsalicylate like Pepto-Bismol, can also be the cause.
• 
  Gray: May indicate a liver or gallbladder problem or be symptomatic of viral hepatitis, gallstones or alcoholic hepatitis.
• 
  Yellow, greasy, foul-smelling: Excess fat in the stool, possibly due to a malabsorption disorder like celiac disease.
• 
  Orange: May be due to beta carotene, a compound found in many vegetables, such as carrots and winter squash. Some antibiotics and antacids contain aluminum hydroxide, which can also turn stool orange.
• 
  Blue: Likely due to eating lots of blue foods (blueberries) or beverages with blue coloring.
• 
  Black or tarry: Iron supplements and black licorice. Bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach, can blacken stool, as can diseases like colorectal cancer or cirrhosis.
• 
  Bright red: Red food coloring, red-colored fruits and vegetables (beets, cranberries, etc.) and red drinks. Bleeding in the lower intestinal tract, such as large intestine or rectum, often from hemorrhoids.
• 
  Note: Occasional color changes in stool aren’t typically cause for concern. However, red or black stool — or other color changes that persist for more than two weeks — should prompt a visit to the doctor.

4. Essence-tial facts

Normal stool normally smells unpleasant, the result of bacteria in the colon breaking down digested food. Stool may smell different due to changes in diet. Spicier foods and meat tend to produce stronger smells than vegetables. Very foul-smelling excrement can be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, infection or malabsorption.

5. Going to pot

Stool frequency is regulated by the amount of fiber and fluid you consume, with exercise and staying active playing a role. There is a lot of natural, healthy variance, from three bowel movements a day to three per week. Going longer than three days between movements is cause for concern. After three days, stool becomes harder and more difficult to pass, leading to more serious issues. The important thing to know is what’s normal for you and pay attention to notable or persistence changes.

To learn more about the featured medical specialties, please visit:

How Your Diet Can Affect Your Poop Color – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

What goes in must come out — and it usually comes out in shades of brown. So it can be quite a surprise if your poo is suddenly red, green or orange.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

In some cases, crayon-colored doo is a clue that there’s a medical problem, says gastroenterologist Christine Dr. Lee, MD. But more often than not, it comes down to diet.

“A lot of foods we eat can change the color of a bowel movement,” Dr. Lee says.

The science of stool color

Stool gets its brown hue from bile, a greenish-brown fluid that aids digestion. “But the exact shade varies from person to person and from day to day,” Dr. Lee says.

Different people produce different amounts of bile, due to causes such as genetics and the health of the gallbladder (the body’s bile storage unit). And even within your gut, bile levels naturally fluctuate over time.

“Variability is the norm,” says Dr. Lee. Factor in the influence of the foods you eat, and you’re looking at a rainbow of possibilities.

Here are common causes of colorful number twos.

Green vegetables

Shades of yellow and green are common hues on the poo color wheel. But if you eat a lot of dark, leafy greens, you might be surprised with bright green poop.

Beets

“Beets tend to scare people,” Dr. Lee says. That’s because a big serving can turn your stool a (harmless) blood-red color.

Blueberries and cherries

Cherries can turn the stool reddish, while blueberries can paint your poo shades of deep blue or even black. Dr. Lee says in both cases, you’d have to eat more than a handful to see such rainbow shades. (One more reason to avoid an all-blueberry diet.)

Carrots

All that beta carotene is good for you, but it can turn your waste orange. “You’d have to eat a lot of carrots, though,” Dr. Lee says. “We tend to see this more in people who guzzle carrot juice.”

Food dyes

Artificial food coloring can go in one end and out the other, turning stool to just about any shade in the rainbow. And if you scarf handfuls of rainbow-colored candy, the colors might mix to turn your poo black. Food dyes tend to change stool color more often in kids, who are (possibly) more likely than their parents to eat an entire bag of colorful candy in one sitting.

Supplements and medicines

Medicines can do weird things to the color of your bowel movements. Some antibiotics reportedly tint them yellow or green. And that bubblegum-pink Pepto-Bismol® you swallow for an upset stomach can turn them jet black.

When should you worry about the color of your poop?

If you eat a ton of blueberries or go overboard on the carrot juice, expect it to affect your stool color for a couple of days. But if the color changes persist, or you can’t connect them to anything you ate, it might be a sign for concern.

Some of the more worrisome colors:

• Red to black: Red or black poop can be a sign of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. “Blood in the stool can be anything from bright red to maroon to black, depending on where the bleeding is happening in the GI tract,” Dr. Lee says.
• Gray: Pale or clay-colored stool can indicate a problem with the pancreas or bile ducts.

In both cases, Dr. Lee recommends calling your doctor. Also check in with your doctor if you have other symptoms, such as diarrhea, fever or pain. “Ask yourself: How are you feeling? Put it into context,” Dr. Lee says. “If you feel normal and don’t have diarrhea, 99% of the time, colored stool stems from something you ate.”

90,000 What should be the shape and color of feces in a healthy person?

The main sources of data about our health are analyzes. For example, stool analysis, scientifically, is a coprogram.

Coprogram (feces analysis) – a study of the physical, chemical and microscopic characteristics of feces, which allows you to diagnose dysfunctions and diseases of many organs, as well as dangerous parasites. It is by the analysis of feces that it is possible to determine whether the intestinal microflora is normal.

We will teach you to independently examine your feces in order to understand what is wrong in your body.

READ ALSO: Why are there problems with erection?

How often do you go to the toilet in a big way? The norm is considered once a day or two. Although some doctors consider how many meals there are, as many bowel movements.

What do you think, how much of a person comes out of feces at one time? The normal weight of feces in the stool with a mixed diet is 100-250 g per day.

Do I need to treat my feces? This is a very necessary and informative occupation in terms of health. It is by discovering something unusual in your own feces that sometimes you can notice a particular disease in time and, accordingly, start treatment earlier.

Feces, feces – this is what is excreted from our body after digestion and assimilation of food. Feces pass through the entire digestive tract. Therefore, by its composition, one can judge the work of almost all organs associated with the digestive system.

SEE ALSO: Worms, symptoms and causes of their appearance

Bristol Stool Form Scale, or Bristol Stool Form Scale, or Bristol Stool Scale, sometimes simply the Bristol Scale – a medical grade classification of the shape and consistency of human stool; has an important diagnostic value. The
Scale was developed by Dr. Ken W. Heaton of the University of Bristol (UK) and first published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 1997 (co-authored with Stephen J.Lewis of the School of Medicine], Cardiff University). Also known as the Meyers Scale.

Bristol scale

Types of stool
The type of stool depends on the length of time it stays in the rectum and colon.
According to the Bristol scale, seven types of stool are distinguished:

Type 1: Individual, hard, nut-like lumps, difficult to pass through the rectum.

Type 2: Sausage-like lumpy feces (larger than type 3).

Type 3: Sausage-like feces with cracked surfaces (smaller diameter than type 2).

Type 4: Sausage or serpentine stool with a soft and smooth surface.

Type 5: Feces in the form of soft lumps with clear edges, easily passing through the rectum.

Type 6: Porous, loose, soft feces in the form of fluffy lumps with ragged edges.

Type 7: Watery stool, no hard pieces; or completely liquid.

Type 1 and 2 are used to identify constipation, types 3 and 4 are considered “ideal stools” (especially type 4, since such stool passes more easily through the rectum during bowel movements), types 6 and 7 are used to identify diarrhea], while The 7th type indicates a possible serious illness.

The consistency of feces depends on the content of water, plant fiber, mucus and fat. The normal water content is 80-85% and depends on the residence time of feces in the distal colon, where it is absorbed. With constipation, the water content decreases to 70-75%, with diarrhea it increases to 90-95%. Non-absorbed water in case of damage to the epithelium of the colon, hypersecretion of mucus by cells of the colon and rectum and inflammatory exudate give the feces a liquid or watery consistency.In the presence of a large amount of unchanged or split fat, feces become ointment or pasty, and with a high content of digestible fiber – mushy, “slimy”.

Dense, formalized feces are excreted normally in practically healthy people and in case of insufficiency of digestion in the stomach of the type of achilia, achlorhydria, hyperchlorhydria and hypochlorhydria or accelerated evacuation of food from the stomach (insufficiency of digestion in the stomach).

The oily character of feces is acquired when the secretion of the pancreas is disturbed (acute pancreatitis, pancreatic necrosis, cystic fibrosis).

Liquid, watery stool is characteristic of insufficient digestion in the small intestine with enteritis, accelerated evacuation, acholia (malabsorption syndrome in the small intestine). The same character of feces can be observed with lesions of the colon (colitis with ulceration, putrid colitis), mainly as a result of impaired absorption of water in the distal colon. The increased secretory function of the colon mucosa leads to false diarrhea.

Gruel-like feces acquire character with fermentative dyspepsia, colitis, chronic enterocolitis and accelerated evacuation of the contents of the large intestine.

Foamy feces occur with fermentative colitis, dysbiosis and dysbiosis.

Tiny shaped and colorless feces are characteristic of acholia.

Large lumps dense feces are excreted once every few days with constipation.

“ Sheep ” feces, in the form of small, rounded fragments, is formed with spastic colitis.

Ribbon-like, pencil-shaped feces acquire if the patient has hemorrhoids, spasm of the rectal sphincter, fissure of the anus, rectal tumor.

COLOR

The color of normal feces brown , due to the presence of stercobilin. With dairy food, the color of feces is less intense, yellow, with meat food – dark brown. The color of feces is influenced by pigments of plant food, medicines. The color of feces changes during pathological processes in the gastrointestinal system.

Black or tarry color feces acquire when bleeding from the stomach, duodenum and small intestine.It is half-digested own blood.

Dark brown color is noted in case of insufficiency of gastric digestion, putrefactive dyspepsia, colitis with constipation, colitis with ulceration, increased secretory function of the colon, constipation and is caused by stercobilin and a poor content of colorless stercobilinogen.

Light brown feces acquire color during accelerated evacuation from the colon due to the high content of colorless stercobilinogen in them.

Reddish stool is excreted in colitis with ulceration and is caused by the addition of fresh blood.

Yellow feces have color in case of insufficient digestion in the small intestine, fermentative dyspepsia, accelerated evacuation of chyme through the intestine (stercobilinogen).

Gray, pale yellow The color of feces is typical for pancreatic insufficiency and is caused by frequent bowel movements, in which feces contain only stercobilinogen.When standing, the colorless feces become covered with a dark brown crust. Stercobilinogen is oxidized to brown sercobilin.

White feces are excreted during intrahepatic congestion or complete obstruction of the common bile duct.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter .

90,000 Stool color: what color of stool should we worry about | The human body

Glad to see you on the Human Body channel! Lately there are very few likes and this is a shame for our team! We hope for your support in the form of a like and a subscription to the channel!

Today we will talk about the colors of the stool and the reasons for the color change.

Normal stool color

Stool color, consistency or content may cause concern. And it is right! It should be remembered that they indicate a state of health, and deviations from the normal color of the stool can indicate various ailments.

Stool color depends on many factors, including food and drink. Stool is mainly composed of fluid, food, and bacteria. The correct color of the stool is brown. In addition, healthy faeces should be well formed (not too soft or too hard) and free from visible food debris.

Stool color may not always be a cause for concern, because the color of fecal matter most often depends on the type of food contained in the diet.

However, when:

• stool discoloration persists for more than a few days, although the diet is varied,
• stools are poorly formed, too loose or too dense (diarrhea or constipation appears),
• stool discoloration is accompanied by other conditions, such like stomach pain.

You should contact a specialist who will carry out the appropriate analyzes and diagnose the problem.

Which stool colors should be of concern?

Black feces

Black feces should always be a cause for concern as it can signal life-threatening health problems. The most important cause of black stools is gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be caused by:

• gastric and duodenal ulcers,
• esophageal ulcers,
• esophageal varices
• rupture of the gastric mucosa.

This symptom also raises suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease or bowel cancer. However, after you notice black stools, you shouldn’t panic. This is not always a sign of bleeding and does not have to be caused by illness.

Black stools can also appear after consuming certain foods, such as:

• black berries,
• cherries,
• beets,

as well as after the use of preparations containing iron, bismuth compounds and other coloring pharmacological agents …To test the origin of troublesome stools, it is helpful to check for occult blood in the stool, a tester is sold in almost every pharmacy without a prescription. If the test is positive, you must inform your doctor!

Green stool

Green stool can also be a symptom of many serious medical conditions, but is not necessarily associated with a specific condition.

Green faeces can occur in the following cases:

• Food poisoning.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Crohn’s disease.
• Suction problems.
• Food allergy.
• Parasitic infections.
• Celiac disease.

The green color of feces is also influenced by bile, which, passing through the intestines, changes its color from green to yellow, and then, under the influence of the bacterial flora of the digestive tract, to brown, from where the correct color of feces occurs. The green color of stool can be caused by the acceleration of the digestive tract, due to which the bile does not change color from green to brown.This state of affairs can occur, for example, when using laxatives.

In addition to accelerating the passage through the digestive tract, a change in stool color to green can also be caused by antibiotic therapy, which disrupts the natural intestinal flora and the appearance of unfavorable microbes, the activity of which affects the color of the stool. For this reason, when taking antibiotics, it is extremely important to take probiotics and consume yogurt and kefir.

Green color in faeces can also occur when we eat too much chlorophyll-containing foods.Which are found in lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, and many dietary supplements that we consume. The principle is that if a change in stool color to green is not the reason for consuming these products, see your doctor if the stool color does not return to normal within 2-3 days. This concludes the article. But that’s not all. Since the article turned out to be a little long, I will continue to release it tomorrow. So do not forget to subscribe to the channel and like it, for me is very important!

Five unexpected uses of feces

• Katie Silver
• BBC Earth

July 29, 2016

Photo by Rolf Nussbaumer Photography / Alamy Stock Photo

Photo caption,

Dung beetles kata.And at night they do it using the stars

It’s amazing how many ways you can find excrement! BBC Earth columnist talks about how dung helps in the study of ancient history, and how feces can be used to save endangered species.

Many will call today’s topic the most unpleasant in the world. Not to mention the subject of the conversation itself. It’s about feces.

Man invented many different names for this substance and the process of its “production”, mostly allegorical.

But few people think about the fact that feces, or excrement, play an essential role in the system of life on Earth.

This article is about how varied functions are performed by feces. They have at least five unexpected and very important uses.

Excrement Museum: Everyone wants to talk about faeces

Honestly! Scientists at the Isle of Wight Zoo in the UK have carefully placed twenty stool samples side by side in individual vacuum capsules for zoo visitors to get to know them better.

Samples of excrement of various animals are presented: lions, meerkats and skunks living in the zoo. And along with human babies.

“They all have different sizes, shapes, textures … This is an inexhaustible storehouse of information,” says museum curator Nigel George.

None of the zoo staff specialize in scatology, but as George says, even an average person can tell a lot about an animal from the appearance of feces.

You can immediately understand what animals eat – the waste of crows, for example, contains a lot of undigested bones and chitinous shells of beetles.

“In general, carnivore feces give off a pungent odor than herbivore feces,” adds George.

In a sample of herring gull feces, pieces of plastic can be seen – a reminder that the effects of technological progress can be seen even in feces.

The proportion of water in excreta averages about 75%. Through trial and error, the researchers found a way to “isolate the samples so that they do not emit an odor and are generally safe for the public.”

This required the creation of a stool dryer.Development took a year. “The setup is simple, but it works,” notes George.

Photo by Eric Carr / Alamy Stock Photo

Caption,

A whale defecates with fashionable pink feces

According to him, a long pipe is inserted into the dryer, in which fecal samples are snugly placed on special trays.

Depending on the size of the samples, they are kept in the dryer for different times – from a day to several weeks.

Then they are placed in a transparent resin and a vacuum is created, evacuating any air bubbles.

It turns out something like a crystal ball. The only difference is the turd in the middle of this capsule.

“I think hardly anyone realizes, looking at these balls on the pedestals, how much human labor is put into them,” says George.

He says that the reaction of the public came as a surprise to them: “We noticed that people themselves are surprised by their own reaction. Disgust quickly gives way to curiosity, and people are already resting their nose on the ball, examining what is inside.”

George says the concept has spread worldwide since the museum opened in March this year.”It seems that everyone wants to talk about excrement!”

The importance of whale faeces to the ocean

Most marine animals feed closer to the surface and defecate in the deeper layers of the sea, but whales do the opposite.

That is why, according to Joe Roman, their feces are of special importance.

“Before finally diving into the depths, a whale that has risen to the surface properly empties its intestines” – Roman, a biologist at the University of Vermont, USA.

This faecal plume, as it is called, contains many nutrients and enriches surface waters with nitrogen, iron and phosphorus.

“They fertilize the ocean,” Roman concludes. “They bring nutrients to the surface.”

This effect is called the whale pump – it has been studied by Joe Roman for the last 10 years.

Once the nutrients are on the surface, they are consumed by fish such as salmon.

Photo by Laurie Campbell / naturepl.com

Photo caption,

Salmon carry nutrients up the river

These fish, in turn, are eaten by seabirds, which carry nutrients from the sea to the shore, where they are devoured by other land animals, such as bears.

In this sense, as Roman says, “whales play an important role in the mechanism of lifting nutrients from the bottom of the ecosystem.”

Roman and his colleagues have already tracked how the pattern of nutrient transport has changed over the course of earth’s history.

So, whales appeared about 60 million years ago.

Around this time, one of the groups of land mammals got into the habit of splashing in the river more often than usual – and after some time it developed into a completely aquatic species.

Transformed into whales and dolphins, mammals colonized the ocean.

Whales began to feed on fish and crustaceans and developed the ability to digest chitin, which consists of the hard shell of a number of mollusks – their so-called exoskeleton.

“Most mammals cannot digest it. Consequently, the microflora in the intestinal tract of a whale is radically different from what we imagined it to be,” he says.

The composition of whale feces depends on the characteristics of the individual and its diet, says Joe Roman.

If a whale feeds on krill, its faeces are most often in the form of red or pink clots the size of a human fist.

However, for those whales whose diet consists of fish, the mass of excrement is dark green and more liquid, due to which the fecal cloud spreads to the size of a research vessel, says the scientist.

“This is a huge burst of nutrients at one time. In other words, the result is the same for both options, even if the process is slightly different.”

Some living things eat feces – and that’s smart!

For most of us, feces are waste that is thrown out of the body as unnecessary, but a number of animals see them as a valuable resource and do not even mind eating them.

Photo author, blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo

Photo caption,

Beautiful butterflies eat excrement and are not embarrassed by it

“Coprophagous animals squeeze out nutrients from the feces of other animals that they themselves could not extract,” explains Markus Byrne from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.“There are very few such substances left.”

In Australia in the late 1980s, Byrne began to study coprophages, which include dung beetles, fly larvae and even – oh god! – beautiful butterflies.

“Australia already had 300 species of its own dung beetles, but they are used to eating kangaroo excrement, not cows, he says. “Cow dung is 80% water and comes out in large liquid cakes, while kangaroo excrement looks more like small hard balls.”

“Australian dung beetles are not used to this [bovine] material,” continues the scientist. Therefore, for the processing of manure produced by cattle farms, it was decided to bring in those beetles that had managed to adapt to it in the course of evolution.

An extremely important biological regulation program has been developed that has been in effect for 20 years.

The brain of a dung beetle is about the size of a grain of rice, no more, but these insects are a treasure trove of talent, says Byrne.

They roll manure into balls and steal it where no one else can covet it.

And if you look at how they reproduce and fight for partners, it will be difficult to believe that we are just a small insect, the scientist notes.

For example, males demonstrate their superiority in combat with huge horns. “These crumbs fight as if they were antelope, deer, or caribou!”

In addition, despite their small size, males of this species have larger testicles than many of the larger beetles.

But these beauties succeeded not only in seducing the fair sex and rolling balls. Their real talent is navigation.

“They look at the sky and navigate by it,” says Byrne.

People use the map in such cases, but the beetle can see the polarization of light, which we do not see, and better distinguishes shades and degrees of brightness.

Byrne proved that one of the species uses the Milky Way as a reference point, thanks to which it successfully rolls its dung balls at night.

“It is breathtaking. Just think: a stupid little beetle peers into the distant corners of our galaxy,” he says.

Ancient horse manure – the key to ancient history

For those who are not friends with ancient history (as your humble servant), we recall that Hannibal is a commander who led the army of Carthage during the war with Rome, which lasted from 218 to 201 BC e.

Hannibal is considered one of the greatest military leaders in history, and archaeologists have long been trying to figure out in detail how his army moved during that 16-year war.

Photo author, World History Archive / Alamy Stock Photo

Photo caption,

Hannibal’s army left traces of itself. And not only victories

However, one episode – the passage of Hannibal’s army across the Alps with 15 thousand horses (and several war elephants) – remains a mystery.

Some suggest that Hannibal crossed the Alps (making his way from present-day France to Italy) through the Col de la Traversette pass, located at an altitude of 3 thousand meters above sea level.

“A lot of evidence indirectly indicates that he used this particular pass, but no one found scientific evidence – nothing that could be verified,” says Chris Allen, a microbiologist ecologist at Queen’s University in Belfast, UK.

For two thousand years, historians, politicians, scientists and even Napoleon fought over this mystery. However, soon it will probably be unraveled – thanks to a hefty pile of dung.

“A two-day parking lot with 15-20 thousand horses – you can be sure it won’t pass without a trace,” says Allen, nicknamed “the dung scientist” by the local press.

Not far from the Col de la Traversette, Allen’s group, along with fellow archaeologists, found a hole in an area the size of a football field. After conducting genetic analysis and studying the local environment, the group discovered massive deposits of animal excrement.

Samples were taken at 5 cm intervals to a depth of 70 cm – enough to penetrate the soil horizon that was formed 2,200 years ago during Hannibal’s lifetime.

“From this layer, something very concrete happened about 2,180 years ago,” says Allen.“The elements of interest to us were scattered over a large area.”

The removed layer of soil contained a lot of ancient horse dung, radiocarbon dating of which suggests that it could be produced in 200 BC – which is very close to 218 BC, in which Hannibal is believed to have crossed the Alps

Many Clostridia bacteria were found in the samples, which are often found in horse feces.

“Clostridia was in 12% of the samples, and it is dated to this period.On the date we need, the concentration becomes six times greater, “says Allen, adding that this find is a real” genetic letter to the future. “

These and some other observations allow us to” confidently say that 2200 years ago here a large number of mammals have passed, leaving a definite footprint. “

So far, archeology hasn’t paid any significant attention to faeces, Allen says. But if archaeologists start collaborating more often with” dung scientists, “who knows what they might discover…

Snoopers, trained on feces, guarding endangered species

From seasoned bloodhounds tracking criminals to sniffer in airports, dogs are second to none in their scent search.

“A robot that can detect odors will never replace a dog,” says Robert John Young, a wildlife biologist at the University of Salford in the UK.

“The dog has a very fine sense of smell. But even if such a robot does appear, it will still not be able to survey the situation as quickly.Plus, it’s cheaper to keep dogs. “

Photo by Luiz Claudio Marigo / naturepl.com

Photo caption,

A spider monkey: its feces tell everything about it

Some unlucky puppies are trained to smell feces. They help conservationists species quickly find animal excrement in the wild.

Such finds allow us to clarify the habitat of populations and at the same time their diet.

“It is not the breed of the dog that is important here, but its character,” says Samantha Bremner-Harrison of Nottingham Trent University in the UK.

According to Samantha, you can safely take a pet from a shelter – as a rule, such dogs are very energetic and respond well to encouragement.

Having worked with Californian breeders, whose charges she trained to look for excrement, Samantha now plans to open similar courses in Nottingham.

“The thing about our profession is that we are constantly looking for faeces, as they are a source of important biological information,” says Robert John Young, who has to keep samples of feces from Brazilian monkeys in his refrigerator.

25 years ago, when Young was just starting his career as a biologist, students had to examine feces under a microscope to understand what the animal ate.

“With new tests and online genetic analysis tools at our disposal, things are moving faster.”

To assess the level of stress of an animal (in particular, to understand how much ecotourists annoy it), it is enough to examine its feces for hormones. Sex hormone monitoring helps track ovulation in females.

“This has allowed us to increase our population of rufous monkeys, one of the endangered primate species in South America,” Young says.

Scientists also use animal stool samples to determine the DNA sequence.

By putting excrement on a special kind of filter paper used in DNA analysis, we can determine if there is a genetic link between two groups of gorillas separated by a mountain range, Young explains.

In turn, within promiscuous species, we will understand who is the father of the offspring and who has what genes.

“Give me a piece of monkey poop and I’ll tell you if she’s color blind,” Young assures.

Photo by Loic Poidevin / naturepl.com

Photo caption,

Rhinos are very sensitive to their territory. But if a stranger’s excrement smells familiar, it’s okay

There are many ways to regulate animal behavior through their own excrement.

For example, ecologists from the San Diego Zoo decided to transport the black rhinoceros, which lives in South Africa, to an area where there are fewer poachers.

It can be difficult to carry out such an undertaking, since rhinos are very territorial animals, and the appearance of an intruder can provoke aggression.

However, animal welfare professionals can use the rhinos’ tendency to actively mark their territory to set the stage for newcomers to settle in.

They take stool samples from individuals they plan to add, and here and there mark the territory of their new place of residence.

When rhinos are launched into their habitat after a few weeks, the old-timers are in fact already familiar with them.

“After a couple of weeks, the rhinos seem to say to each other, ‘Oh, this is Fred, we know him,” Young says.

In general, no one doubts that excrement is primarily waste. But for science and for many animals, they mean something

Stool problems: why is feces green?

It is not customary to talk about delicate problems, but they exist and need to be resolved. One of these problems is associated with defecation: its course, the state of feces.By the color, shape, size of excrement, you can determine the disorders that have arisen in the digestive system.

Normal feces are brownish due to bile pigments. The amount of pigments affects the intensity of the color of the stool: it can be discolored, or it can be almost black. Also, the food consumed the day before affects the color of the feces. Color changes in feces play a diagnostic role, as they are caused by various pathologies in the body.

Causes of the appearance of green shades in feces

1. Products with green dye

Fecal accumulations can become green, and of different saturation. The darker the green stool, the more acute the disease. If a person is practically healthy, and the feces are green, the reason is in food. Some products contain natural dyes, while others are artificial. For example, fresh greens, green fruits and vegetables, green carbonated drinks, etc. can change the color of feces.

2. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Feces of green shades may indicate diseases of the digestive system, in particular, diseases of the small intestine. The reason is also dysbiosis, as well as prolonged use of drugs with antibiotic action.

Gastrointestinal ailments are produced not only by the green color of feces, but also by a putrid odor. All these changes are due to the large number of dead leukocytes that accumulate in the intestinal tract during inflammation.

If there is dysbiosis in the small intestine, food stops being normally digested and absorbed. As a result, fermentation and decay processes occur. In the course of these processes, substances are formed that change the color of feces towards green.

3. Intestinal infections

Greenish feces can appear with intestinal infections, including dysentery. With such ailments, body temperature rises, nausea, vomiting, pain in the middle of the abdomen occurs, and general weakness is observed.For the prevention and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children from 3 months of age and adults, Acipol is prescribed.

4. Bleeding in the stomach or intestines

It is not uncommon for green feces to be triggered by internal bleeding. Bleeding occurs in the stomach cavity or in the intestines. The cause of bleeding is an exacerbation of a peptic ulcer or the presence of a cancerous tumor.

The color of the stool changes due to the oxidation of iron, which is part of the blood.If the bleeding begins in the stomach, the stool turns black as tar. This is the result of complete oxidation of the iron in the blood. With incomplete oxidation, feces acquire a green color.

Wherever the bleeding begins in the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms of anemia appear: pressure decreases, shortness of breath occurs, pulse quickens, weakness, pallor is observed.

5. Diseases of the blood and liver

Pathological processes affecting the blood and liver also affect the color of the stool.In the liver, there is an active breakdown of erythrocytes. Their hemoglobin is the basis for the formation of bilirubin, which, entering the intestinal tract, gives the feces a dark green (dark brown) color.

Any negative changes in the body require a medical examination, diagnostic tests. Early detection of the disease increases the chances of recovery.

For the symptomatic treatment of pain, spasms, dysfunction and bowel discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome; symptomatic treatment of spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, incl.including due to organic diseases, it is recommended to use duspatalin.

What your pet’s poop will tell you about its health

When everything is normal

In order to check your pet’s excrement, you do not need a protective suit, rubber gloves to the elbow and a gas mask. An ordinary examination at arm’s length is sufficient.

The stool of a healthy dog ​​should be firm, but not hard. In shape, it resembles a log with small cracks, in color – chocolate.It is very important that there is no discharge, mucus or blood on the surface of the faeces. The dog should leave “sausages” for walks once or twice a day. Normal digestion in cats is the same. Unless the volume will be different. Although if you compare the Maine Coon and the pug, it is not known who will win.

When feces are like a sheep’s

For those who spent their childhood not with their grandmother in the village, but in the concrete jungle: “like a sheep’s” – these are small lumps, like peas.Dense, hard, sometimes dry. Perhaps this is one of the signs of constipation, especially if such stools appear rarely and in small volumes. This happens when your pet does not have enough fluid for various diseases or if the motility of the colon is disturbed. Pay attention to whether the animal is drinking as much as before.

Constipation can also occur due to improper nutrition. In this case, food with a high fiber content will be useful. Check with your veterinarian to find out how changing the diet can help your pet.

Nutrition is only part of the treatment. The specialist will tell you what other additional measures need to be taken so that the pet is healthy again.

When wet and soft

Wet, soft and, as doctors say, poorly formed feces are discomfort for both the pet and the owner, including in terms of cleaning. Such a chair is a reason to take a closer look at the health of the animal and its diet.

At the appointment, the veterinarian may ask you not only how the faeces look, but also how often your pet defecates.And also find out the history of the animal’s nutrition over the past couple of months or even years – yes, everything is like that of humans.

Soft stool is one of the signs of increased motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Simply put, the walls of the digestive system contract more actively than usual. Because of this, the contents move faster towards the outlet and do not have time to form a dense mass. This can happen for various reasons: due to changes in nutrition, stress or damage to the nervous system.

Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome can help control diarrhea in dogs in just 24 hours *.It contains a blend of prebiotic dietary fiber and healthy omega-3 fatty acids to help restore normal gastrointestinal function and support healthy digestion.

* Internal data of Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

When it looks like porridge

Things are more complicated if a dog’s or cat’s stool is similar in consistency to porridge: the feces are not clear-cut, but they also do not look like water. They lie down in a bunch, they are removed from the ground or from a tray with difficulty.

One of the possible causes of digestive upset is malnutrition. For example, an improperly selected diet, spoiled foods, treats that are not intended for animals, or an abrupt change in types of food (switching from porridge to another food or vice versa). If it’s really all about feeding, then it’s easy to fix.

But diet is not the only reason for mushy stools. It can also be due to infection, neoplasm, or inflammatory bowel disease.In any case, you cannot do without the advice of a specialist.

When water alone

Perhaps the most dangerous option is diarrhea. The stool looks like brown water. At the same time, the cat literally does not leave the litter box, and the dog cannot wait for a walk.

In this case, you need to act quickly. Do not feed the animal anything that you think would help; make an appointment with the veterinary clinic right away. Loose stools can signal malabsorption, severe intoxication, and even a serious gastrointestinal infection.

When there is something wrong with the color

The second thing you should pay attention to after determining the consistency is the color of the faeces. We remind you: pets should normally have excrement of a brown-chocolate hue. Deviations indicate possible diseases.

• Black feces – one of the signs of bleeding in the anterior gastrointestinal tract (stomach, duodenum and small intestine).
• A reddish tint indicates bleeding in the lower GI tract.This happens, for example, with colitis – inflammation of the colon mucosa.
• Light brown faeces can occur with accelerated peristalsis or the predominance of plant foods in the diet.
• Green tint appears due to increased secretion of bile or bile enzymes – bilirubin and biliverdin. Also, feces can turn green if the pet eats a lot of grass.
• Gray or white feces are observed when the pancreas or liver malfunctions, as well as when bile does not enter the intestine (for example, in the case of cholelithiasis).

When it smells too strong

Finally, the third indicator of digestive problems in cats and dogs is the presence of a specific odor. Of course, excrement cannot smell like a rose, but in this case we are talking about an atypical stench.

• A putrid odor appears in diseases of the stomach, such as ulcers.
• Rancid oil gives off in case of malfunction of the pancreas, diseases of the liver and biliary tract.
• Sour smell signals about fermentation processes in the large intestine, impaired absorption of fatty acids in the small intestine.

How to collect feces for analysis

Bringing faeces for analysis is only necessary if requested by the veterinarian. In a telephone conversation, describe your observations and concerns to the doctor – if you need material for research, the specialist will tell you about it.

Prepare the container if necessary. A small, clean, sterile plastic container is best. It can be found in any “human” pharmacy.Use clean scoops, shovels – the same as during normal cleaning for an animal, only thoroughly wash it all first. Check with your veterinarian on how best to store samples if you cannot bring them to the clinic or laboratory within a couple of hours of collection.

To keep the stool normal, you need to monitor the nutrition of the animal. Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome for Cats and Dogs helps maintain the correct balance of the gut microbiome, which naturally helps to normalize digestion.The feed contains high quality proteins, soluble and insoluble fiber in an optimal ratio and useful essential fatty acids. A balanced diet contains everything you need to feed your cat or dog.

Learn more about diet food

What your chair will tell you

Stool information is perhaps the most important indicator of the condition of the gastrointestinal tract .

For many, talking about feces can cause laughter or embarrassment.But seriously speaking, the appearance of feces can reveal a lot about the health of your intestines and, for that matter, about your overall health.

Anything from shape, size, smell, color, can indicate disease, poor nutrition, or other gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Even the color and smell of your bowel movements can give you a clue about your overall health.

Feces (feces, feces, excrement) – contents of the distal colon, excreted during defecation.In a healthy person, feces are a mixture, consisting of about 1/3 of the remnants of food taken, 1/3 of the remnants of the secreted digestive organs and 1/3 of microbes, 95% of which are dead.

The amount of feces depends on the quantity and quality of food taken. With a mixed diet that quantitatively meets the needs of the body, the weight of feces excreted per day is 200-300 g.

The weight of feces largely depends on the content of water in it, therefore, with constipation, when the absorption of water is enhanced, the weight of daily feces decreases, and with diarrhea, it is increased.

A significant increase in feces is observed in diseases accompanied by the assimilation of food (gastric achilia, lesions of the pancreas, etc.). A special abundance of feces occurs with lesions of the pancreas, in which its weight can reach 1 kg.

The shape of the feces depends on the consistency, the content of water, mucus and fat in them. Normal stool contains about 70-75% water, has a sausage-like shape and a homogeneous dense composition. Dense, even hard feces, observed with constipation, loses its normal shape and usually consists of separate lumps from its long stay in the large intestines.With spastic colitis, “sheep feces” are often observed, which are small round lumps of dense consistency. Such dense stool contains about 60% water.

Changes in the shape of feces (ribbon, pencil) may depend on both organic stenosis and spastic narrowing of the sphincters. Unformed mushy and especially liquid feces is a pathological phenomenon, it contains 90-92% of water. Stool can also have a heterogeneous character, dense lumps can float in liquid or mucus, which happens during inflammatory processes in the large intestine.

The consistency of feces depends on a number of reasons, the main of which is the time spent in the large intestine. Acceleration of peristalsis leads to insufficient absorption of water, slowing down – to excessive absorption. Feces acquire a more liquid than normal consistency with the abundant secretion of inflammatory exudate and mucus by the intestinal wall, while taking saline laxatives. Feces, containing a lot of fat, have an oily consistency.

The color of feces in a healthy person may vary slightly depending on the food intake.Most often, there are various shades of brown – dairy food gives a light brown, even yellow color, meat food – dark brown. Vegetable products give feces their color, beets – red, blueberries, black currants, coffee, cocoa – dark brown to black. Some medicinal substances taken orally also have a significant effect on the color of feces (for example, bismuth is black, iron preparations are greenish-black, etc.).

The color of feces also changes during pathological processes in the digestive organs, there are many of these options, for example, we will give a few.If bile does not enter the intestine, feces acquire a grayish-white, clayey or sandy color. Fatty stool can be gray in color. The presence of blood in the feces gives the feces a different color depending on the place of bleeding, if in the stomach, then a dark brown, almost black color. The lower along the intestine is the focus of bleeding, the less dark color and more red.

The smell of feces depends on the presence in it of decay products of food residues, mainly protein, therefore, with an abundance of proteins in food, the smell increases.With the predominance of putrefactive processes in the intestines (putrefactive dyspepsia, decay of tumors), the feces acquire a fetid odor, during fermentation processes – sour. With poor chewing of food, and more with poor digestion, the feces may contain undigested food debris in the form of whitish or grayish lumps.

With a significant content of fat in the feces, the surface of the stool acquires a kind of slightly dull sheen, and the consistency is oily. Mucus in normal feces is present in a minimal amount in the form of a thin, shiny coating that covers the surface of the feces.In inflammatory processes, it can appear in the feces in the form of whitish or yellow lumps on the surface of the feces or between its fragments.

This article is posted for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.

Discolored stool

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication.In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For a diagnosis and correct treatment prescription, you should contact your doctor.

The color of feces depends on the amount of bile pigments (decomposition products of hemoglobin), dyes contained in food and drugs, impurities of fresh or clotted blood, metabolic products of microorganisms living in the intestine.

In the absence of highly coloring food pigments, the color of feces is normally light to dark brown.

Stercobilin, a breakdown product of bilirubin, gives the feces a brown color. A change in the color of feces from light green to yellowish gray can occur in various diseases.

If bilirubin for any reason does not enter the gastrointestinal tract, then the feces will become discolored. Such feces are called acholic. Discolored stool can have a different consistency, which is determined by the amount of water consumed, plant fibers, intestinal tone, and other factors.These factors are taken into account when diagnosing liver disease.

Possible causes

Damage to the hepatic and bile ducts . In violation of the patency of the hepatic ducts, cholestasis develops , which is characterized by acholic feces. Cholestasis can be caused by blockage of the ducts with small stones (cholelithiasis), blood clots, parasites (with opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, clonorchiasis), and can also be the result of congenital anomalies, cicatricial stenosis, the presence of tumors of the bile ducts.The lumen of the common bile duct can be narrowed due to tumor growth, due to inflammation and cysts of the pancreas, recurrent cholangitis, lymphadenitis against the background of tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, or as a result of surgical treatment and adhesions. In all cases, the flow of bile from the liver is impaired.

Symptoms of cholestasis are: itching, jaundice, discoloration of feces and darkening of urine, a severe course manifests itself as a flu-like condition (chills and fever).

Sclerosing cholangitis is a pathology that is also accompanied by discoloration of feces due to impaired outflow of bile. In this disease, sclerosis of the bile ducts occurs (replacement of healthy tissue of the organ with cicatricial connective fibers) due to inflammatory processes.

Sclerosing cholangitis in most cases is accompanied by inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease).

Patients develop jaundice of the skin, mucous membranes and sclera, itching, weakness and fatigue, weight loss, impaired motor activity due to limitation of limb mobility (symptoms of osteoporosis).

Functional disorders of the biliary tract . Functional impairment of the motility of the biliary tract – biliary dyskinesia – is one of the most common causes of discoloration of feces. This is due to the narrowing (muscle spasm) of the lumen of the bile ducts and the duodenal papilla, which regulates the flow of bile into the intestine.

Spasm can occur due to hormonal disorders, systemic diseases, pain syndrome, after surgery.In this case, fecal discoloration will not be permanent. The stool becomes light only after spastic attacks, and during the period of resumption of the motility of the biliary tract, its color returns to normal.

Considering that the brown shade of feces is due to bile pigments, any process of disrupting their synthesis or entering the gastrointestinal tract is accompanied by a change in the color of the stool. Discolored feces are not always indicative of illness: with excessive consumption of fatty foods , the usual amount of bile is not enough to process all absorbed fats, and the feces acquire a light color.With some infectious diseases (cholera, salmonellosis, dysentery), disorders of digestive processes (inadequate absorption of nutrients, irritable bowel syndrome), increased intestinal peristalsis leads to the rapid movement of feces that do not have time to change color.

With persistent formation of discolored feces, diseases of the hepatobiliary system (liver, gallbladder, hepatic and bile ducts, sphincter of Oddi) should be suspected.

Degenerative-inflammatory liver diseases (hepatitis of various etiologies, cirrhosis) affect the synthesis and metabolism of bile pigments and bilirubin, which is often manifested by unstained feces.

Damage to liver cells (hepatocytes) . Bile-producing hepatocytes can die under the influence of many factors.

The infectious nature of liver disease should be considered first and foremost.

When viruses of hepatitis enter the bloodstream, an acute infectious disease develops, which is manifested by high fever, nausea, vomiting, heaviness and pain in the right hypochondrium, a yellow color of the sclera (icterus) appears, urine darkens, and feces are discolored.When infected with hepatitis B viruses, , the process often becomes chronic. The incubation period of hepatitis C can be up to six months, and in the acute period of the disease, symptoms resemble a respiratory infection. Chronic viral hepatitis B and C, if untreated, can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis may be accompanied by cytomegalovirus infection, diseases of herpesvirus etiology, infectious mononucleosis (the causative agent is the Epstein-Barr virus).

Currently, alcoholic hepatitis is often diagnosed.

Ethyl alcohol products and its metabolites have a direct damaging effect on liver cells.

The chronic course of alcoholic liver disease ends with massive replacement of hepatocytes with connective tissue with a complete loss of their functions. In the clinical picture, the main complaints are the severity and characteristic pain in the right hypochondrium, which can be given to the arm, scapula, lumbar region. Yellowness of the skin, sclera develops, feces become discolored, urine darkens, signs of encephalopathy appear.In the last stages of alcoholic disease, cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus, etc. develop.

Among the toxins that have a destructive effect on liver cells are herbal poisons (some mushrooms, bitterness and roseberry juice) and industrial chemicals (phosphorus, arsenic, organochlorine substances, phenols, pesticides). Many drugs (anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-tuberculosis, anticonvulsant) alter the functional activity of hepatocytes, which affects the color of feces.

Liver cells die during oxygen starvation caused by circulatory failure and oxygen deficiency in the blood. With the syndrome of hepatocellular failure, there is a dysfunction of hepatocytes, which is accompanied by a general intoxication of the body.

Diagnostics and examination

For complaints of discolored, acholic stools, diagnostics include physical and laboratory tests.

Information on the functioning of the liver and gallbladder is given by general blood and urine tests; biochemical blood test (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, glucose, amylase and lipase).