clay colored stool adults

Common Causes

The main causes of light-colored stool include:

• Gallstones, or hardened deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder and block your common bile duct
• Pancreatic cancer
• Liver disease

Related Conditions

There are some medications that can cause clay-colored stool, such as:

• Isoniazid- used for treating tuberculosis
• Bismuth salicylate- used for treating heartburn, indigestion, nausea and diarrhea. ...
• Kaolin- natural clay used for treating diarrhea
• Barium sulfate-used as a contrast substance for detecting various digestive tract disorders with X-ray [4,7].

What causes light colored stools in adults?

Yes, if you have persistent pale/grey stool or jaundice and any of the following:

• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness/lightheadedness, especially when sitting up or standing up
• Confusion or lethargy

What causes light clay colored stools?

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: Stools that are black, especially if they have the appearance of coffee grounds, suggest gastrointestinal bleeding.

What causes Gray stool in adults?

What color POOP is normal?

See more

Is Clay-colored stool serious?

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

What does light-colored stool mean?

Light-colored, white or clay-colored. A lack of bile in stool. This may indicate a bile duct obstruction.

Is pale stool an emergency?

White stool isn't normal and should be evaluated promptly by a doctor. White or clay-like stool is caused by a lack of bile, which may indicate a serious underlying problem.

Is peanut butter colored poop normal?

Lifestyle changes to improve stools include eating fiber, drinking water, or exercising. Stools should be brown, have a peanut-butter texture, and look like a sausage.

What is the treatment for clay colored stool?

If it is caused by use of certain medication, the agent will most likely be changed. Medication treatment is mainly used for treating hepatitis, as well as therapy for some types of cancer.

Why is my stool dark brown?

Causes. Liver disease. Bile duct obstruction. Cancer. Medications. Diagnosis. Treatment. Normally, stool is colored in light to dark brown color. The normal color of the stool comes from chemical substance-bilirubin, which is produced by liver from hemoglobin, after red blood cells have finished their life cycle and die.

What causes bile to not reach the intestines?

Bile duct obstruction. After bile is produced, it goes through a system of bile ducts and is stored in the gallbladder. In case a part of this system is obstructed, the bile does not reach intestines and stool can appear clay colored. There are several causes for bile duct obstruction: Trauma.

Why does bilirubin cause a loss of color in stool?

Liver disease. Since bilirubin is produced in the liver, lack of it can cause loss of color in stool. There are various disorders that can cause disruption of normal physiological processes in the liver. In this case, there will also be increased levels of bilirubin in the blood circulation which may cause fatigue, ...

Why does my liver turn yellow?

In this case, there will also be increased levels of bilirubin in the blood circulation which may cause fatigue, jaundice- yellowish color of skin and the whites of the eyes. One of the most common causes for liver disease is hepatitis.

What is the best medicine for diarrhea?

It limits the secretions in the digestive tract and inhibits growth of certain bacteria. Kaolin- natural clay used for treating diarrhea.

Can liver cancer cause clay stools?

Bile duct obstruction can also be caused by secondary liver cancer- metastases in liver from a different cancer. A very rare entity that can cause clay colored stool is bile duct cancer.

Why do kids have bright colored stools?

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

Why do I have pale stools?

If your liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow of the bile is blocked and not draining from your liver, your stools may become pale or clay-colored. Having pale stools once in a while may not be a cause for concern. If it occurs frequently, you may have a serious illness. You should see your doctor whenever you have pale ...

What is the best medicine for fatty stool?

Commonly prescribed medications include cholestyramine (Questran) to treat itching and ursodiol (Urso Forte), which aids in removing bile from the bloodstream. Your doctor may also suggest taking vitamins A, K, E, and D, to replace the nutrients that are lost in the fatty stools.

Why is my stool white?

Some of the causes are: a milk-only diet. barium sulfate from barium enema. antacids. blocked bile ducts or liver disease. You should contact your doctor any time your child’s stool changes color, especially if they haven’t had any brightly colored foods or if the stools are pale, white, or clay-colored.

What is the cause of biliary cirrhosis?

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

Why does stool color change?

Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition. Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile — a yellow-green fluid that digests fats — in your stool. As bile pigments travel through your gastrointestinal tract, they are chemically altered by enzymes, ...

Why is my stool red?

If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.

What does it mean when you have no bile in your stool?

A lack of bile in stool. This may indicate a bile duct obstruction. Certain medications, such as large doses of bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) and other anti-diarrheal drugs. Excess fat in the stool, such as due to a malabsorption disorder, for example, celiac disease.

Considerations

The liver releases bile salts into the stool, giving it a normal brown color. You may have clay-colored stools if you have a liver infection that reduces bile production, or if the flow of bile out of the liver is blocked.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if your stools are not the normal brown color for several days.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The provider will perform a physical exam. They will ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. Questions may include:

Why do my bowels look like clay?

Stools that are pale, white, or look like clay or putty may be the result of a lack of bile or caused by a blockage in the bile ducts. Stools that are light in color or look like clay can also occur after a test in the colon that uses barium (such as a barium enema ), because the barium may be passed in the stool.

What causes a pale stool?

Medical causes of stool that is pale or clay-colored are usually liver and biliary issues such as: 1 Alcoholic hepatitis: This disease of the liver occurs after overexposure to alcohol. 2 Biliary cirrhosis: This is a type of liver disease where the bile ducts are damaged. 3 Birth defect: Some people are born with a problem in the biliary system. 4 Cysts: A cyst may block a bile duct. 5 Gallstones: These calcium deposits in the gallbladder could block bile ducts. 6 Hepatitis A, B, or C: Infectious liver diseases that may cause a lack of bile. 7 Infection: Certain types of infections could affect the biliary system. 8 Sclerosing cholangitis: This is a disease that can cause a lack of bile production or a blockage in the bile ducts. 9 Side effects of medication: Overuse of certain medications could cause drug-induced hepatitis. These drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, hormonal birth control, and certain antibiotics. 10 Strictures: A narrowing of the intestine could block the flow of bile. 11 Tumor: A tumor could block the flow of bile.

Why is my stool brown?

Bile is what gives stool its brown color, so if bile is not being produced or if the bile ducts are blocked, and bile isn't entering the small intestine, the result could be stool that is light. Medical causes of stool that is pale or clay-colored are usually liver and biliary issues such as: Alcoholic hepatitis: This disease ...

What is the biliary system?

The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. 1  Bile is created in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and is released into the first section of the small intestine (the duodenum) while food is passing through. Ellen Lindner / Verywell.

What causes a lack of bile?

Hepatitis A, B, or C: Infectious liver diseases that may cause a lack of bile. Infection: Certain types of infections could affect the biliary system. Sclerosing cholangitis: This is a disease that can cause a lack of bile production or a blockage in the bile ducts. Side effects of medication: Overuse of certain medications could cause drug-induced ...

What does it mean when your urine is clay?

Concerning Symptoms. Clay-colored stool that is caused by certain medical conditions may be accompanied by a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes ( jaundice) or darkened urine. If signs of jaundice occur, a physician should be consulted immediately.

What tests are used to determine if a person has pale stools?

In addition to a complete medical history, some of the tests that might be used to make a diagnosis are: Liver function tests: Liver function tests can help determine if there is a condition that involves the liver that's causing the pale stools. 2 .

Why does my stool look clay?

You take calcium supplements or calcium-supplemented antacids. As noted by Dr. O’Connor, certain drugs and supplements can cause the stool to appear pale or clay-like. Family care physician, Susan Besser, MD, has seen pale or clay-colored stools in people who habitually take calcium supplements and calcium-supplemented antacids.

Why is my stool pale?

It could be bile-related. When your stool is pale, and it’s not because of something you ingested, it can mean that your body is not producing enough bile, or that the bile is , for some reason, not reaching your stool .

Why does my stool float in the toilet?

The result is called steatorrhea, which is bulky, smelly, and pale-colored stool that often floats in the toilet instead of sinking to the bottom due to its fatty or oily content . If steatorrhea is a one-time thing after a particularly fatty meal, it’s not usually a cause for concern.

What are the symptoms of giardia?

Symptoms of Giardia can include stomach pain, vomiting, and fever, so if you’re experiencing these symptoms along with pale stool that is yellow-tinged, it would be a good idea to check in with your doctor. Giardia is easily tested for and easily treated.

Why is my stool light colored?

If your skin is looking a bit pale (which can occur in people of any skin tone), there’s usually a reason. It could be anything from a vitamin B12 deficiency to a symptom of anemia.

Is pale stool normal?

Although pale stool is not normal, there are a number of reasons why this happens, says family practitioner Kavita Shanker-Patel, MD, practicing family medicine at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, Illinois. While some are serious, others are quite benign. In fact, pale-colored stool can be the result ...

Can celiac disease cause a foul smelling stool?

You could have celiac disease. One of the less-known symptoms of celiac disease (an autoimmune condition in which the gluten proteins in wheat and other grains trigger an intestine-damaging immune response), is pale stool, particularly if it’s foul-smelling.

What to do if you have clay colored stool?

Surgery: If your clay-colored stools are caused by obstructing gallstones, after an ERCP, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove the gallbladder entirely (cholecystectomy) to help prevent recurrences.

What does it mean when your stools are pale?

The pale/grey stools or progressively worsening jaundice may be the first sign that something is wrong. You may also get an infection in the blocked bile, called cholangitis. That can cause fever and abdominal pain, and in severe cases, confusion and low blood pressure.

Why does stool look silver?

There are a few recorded cases of people having silver-appearing stool—these people all had tumors blocking the bile duct that also bled into the intestine. The combination of digested blood (black tar color) and lack of bile (pale grey color) gives a distinct silver color to the stool. —Dr. Adam Pont.

What is the procedure to see the inside of the intestines called?

The specialist will order an imaging test (ultrasound, CT, or MRI) and perform a procedure to view the inside of your intestines and bile ducts, called ERCP , which is done under sedation. Treatment depends on what is found in the tests. 2. Obstructed bile duct from gallstones.

Why is my stool brown?

It is usually from a blockage in the bile ducts, either from a stone or a tumor. Bile helps digest fats and is responsible for the brown color of stool. It is produced in your liver, stored in your gallbladder, and released into your intestines. If bile is prevented from getting into your intestines, this can cause persistent pale ...

What causes a stone to be stuck in the lower part of the bile duct?

If the stone is stuck in the lower part of the bile duct, it may block digestive fluid from exiting the pancreas, which can cause pancreatitis. If you notice pale/grey colored stools along with abdominal pain or jaundice, you should go to the ER.

Where do gallstones form?

Gallstones are very small stones that can form from the components of bile, a digestive liquid. They are often found in the gallbladder. Gallstones can sometimes block bile from exiting the gallbladder or become stuck in a bile duct, causing an obstruction (choledocholithiasis).

Why does my stool look pale?

Diseases of the pancreas can make it hard for this organ to secrete pancreatic juices into the digestive system. This can lead to the food moving too quickly through the gut, causing a pale and fatty-looking stool.

Why does stool change color?

Causes. In children. During pregnancy. When to see a doctor. Summary. Many things can change the color of stool, including vitamins, infections, and certain foods. Some underlying medical problems, such as gallbladder and liver disease, can also change stool color.

Why is my stool white?

When the stool is white or very light brown, this can signal a more serious problem, such as cholestasis, a type of liver disease. In newborns, cholestasis or any other problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas may be a medical emergency, so a caregiver should call their pediatrician right away.

Why is my stool pale after taking pain pills?

A person who notices a pale stool after taking a new medication or after taking OTC pain relievers for a long time or in excess of the correct dose may have medication-related liver damage. It is best to stop taking the drug, if it is not a prescription medication, and see a doctor as soon as possible. 4.

What does it mean when your poop is white?

Pale stool, especially if it is white or clay colored, can indicate a serious health problem. When adults have a pale stool with no other symptoms, it is usually safe to wait and see if the stool returns to normal. When children and babies have very pale or white poop, a doctor should see them as soon as possible.

How do you know if you have giardiasis?

A person can contract this parasite by drinking contaminated water or being in close contact with someone who has the infection. Giardiasis is more common in regions with inconsistent access to clean water. The most common symptoms of giardiasis include stomach pain, headache, swollen stomach, vomiting, and fever.

Where is the gallbladder located?

The gallbladder holds bile and is located on the upper right side of the stomach, next to the liver. During digestion, the gallbladder releases bile into the intestines through the bile duct. Gallbladder diseases can change the color of stool.

What does it mean when your stools are clay colored?

There’s a lot of misinterpretation as to what “clay colored” refers to, even though “clay colored stools” is commonly listed as a symptom for disease, including liver problems. Definition of Clay Colored Stools.

Why do my stools turn grey?

This is what “clay colored” stools look like. In addition to alcoholic liver disease, here are other causes of this light grey appearance, according to nlm.nih.gov, in no particular order: biliary cirrhosis; benign or malignant tumors of the liver, biliary system or pancreas; bile duct cysts; narrowing of the bile ducts;

What color is moist clay?

Fresh moist clay that you dig up in the ground appears to be a combination of tan/brown and grey, similar to the moist clay that a sculptor works with.

What Is Clay Colored stool?

Bilirubin Metabolism

Causes

Diagnosis

• Normally, stool is colored in light to dark brown color. The normal color of the stool comes from chemical substance-bilirubin, which is produced by liver from hemoglobin, after red blood cells have finished their life cycle and die. In case of different pathologies and physiological changes, stool can change its color. This might be a sign of some...

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Treatment