Diseases caused by viruses, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Diseases caused by drugs, poisons, or too much alcohol. Examples include fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. Liver cancer. Inherited diseases, such as hemochromatosis and Wilson disease.
Common Causes
The presence of jaundice along with pale stools could mean that there is an obstruction in a bile duct or that there is an infection in the liver. Both of these conditions could be serious and should be discussed with a physician in order to receive prompt treatment.
Related Conditions
Since the clay colored or pale stool is usually a result of an underlying health condition, doctors will focus on helping the patient treat and manage the condition. If malabsorption of fats is causing the clay-colored stool, then a change in diet and vitamin supplements are often prescribed.
What does pale stools with jaundice mean?
One of the most common types of cancer to cause bile duct obstruction is pancreatic cancer. When the head of the pancreas gets enlarged, it can cause external obstruction of bile ducts [4,5]. There are some medications that can cause clay-colored stool, such as: Bismuth salicylate- used for treating heartburn, indigestion, nausea and diarrhea.
What causes clay colored or pale stool?
Can pancreatic cancer cause clay-colored stool?
What is the treatment for clay colored stool?
Why does bilirubin cause a loss of color in stool?
What causes bile to not reach the intestines?
Why is my stool dark brown?
What causes bile duct obstruction?
What is the breakdown product of heme compounds?
Why does my liver turn yellow?
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What is the Colour of stool in obstructive jaundice?
Diagnosis of jaundice Pale stool: The presence of pale stools suggests an obstructive or post-hepatic/liver cause as normal feces get their color from bile pigments. If an obstruction occurs, it prevents bile to be excreted into the intestines, causing pale or clay-colored stool.
What causes pale stools in jaundice?
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.
What can cause clay-colored stool?
Light-colored stools (grey or clay-colored) in adults can be caused by lack of bile in the digestive system. 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.
What is the Colour of stool in hemolytic jaundice?
The stool of patients whose jaundice is due to hemolysis is brown. Patients with mild to moderate hepatocellular jaundice also have brown stools, although as their hepatic excretory ability increasingly fails, their stool may turn a clay color. Patients with obstructive jaundice often have clay-colored stools.
Does bilirubin affect stool color?
The brown color is mainly due to bilirubin, which is in the bile your gallbladder secretes. As bilirubin is digested, it becomes brown. There are various shades of brown stool may be, from light yellow-brown to dark brown.
Does unconjugated bilirubin cause pale stools?
Conjugated bilirubin is water soluble and is excreted in the urine, giving it a dark colour (bilirubinuria). At the same time, lack of bilirubin entering the gut results in pale, “putty” coloured stools and an absence of urobilinogen in the urine when measured by dipstick testing.
Is clay colored stool an emergency?
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.
What are the symptoms of biliary atresia?
The symptoms of biliary atresia usually appear by the age of two to six weeks and include a yellowish coloration of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), abnormally pale stools, and dark urine. Infants may also have swollen (distended) stomach and/or abnormal enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly).
Can fatty liver cause pale stools?
If your liver doesn't make bile normally or if the flow from the liver is blocked, your poop will look pale like the color of clay. Pale poop often happens along with yellow skin (jaundice). The extra bilirubin that makes your skin look yellow also can make your pee unusually dark.
Can high bilirubin cause pale stools?
Pale stools and dark urine - pale stools occur as no bilirubin reaches the gastrointestinal tract and dark urine results from reflux of conjugated bilirubin into blood which is excreted in the urine. Both of these features suggest cholestasis. Abdominal pain. Fever - suggests infection or cholecystitis.
What does clay stool mean?
Stools that are pale, clay, or putty-colored may be due to problems in the biliary system. The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs.
What are the differential diagnosis of jaundice?
For the differential diagnosis for jaundice, pruritis and RUQ pain, click here.Classification of jaundice based on etiologyDiseaseJaundiceCholestatic JaundiceSickle cell diseaseperiampullary cancer (Pancreatic carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma)AIDS cholangiopathy29 more rows•Feb 8, 2019
Why does pale stool turn yellow?
Complications resulting from untreated pale stool is jaundice because there is a build-up of bile in the body which makes the skin appear yellowish. Jaundice is also a symptom of liver disease and so it’s highly important you see your doctor if you notice color changes of your skin and the whites of your eyes.
Why do I have a clay odor in my stool?
For instance, some anti-inflammatories can cause clay-colored stool. Antibiotics, anabolic steroids, and some birth control pills have also been known to cause clay-colored stool.
Why is my stool brown?
The term for this is “acholic” and it is usually a result of lack of bile. Bile salts are released into stool by the liver and give them their brown color. When the liver is not producing enough bile, or when the flow of the bile is blocked, stools become clay-colored. Pale-colored stool in adults is no reason for alarm if it only happens once in ...
Why is my bile duct narrowing?
Structural defects – Some people are born with defects in their biliary system that prevents the flow of bile. Biliary stricture – Gallbladder removal surgery can lead to narrowing of the bile ducts.
What are the symptoms of a bile duct cyst?
Symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, itching, fever, and pain on the right side. Cysts – Cysts on the bile ducts can prevent the flow of bile. Symptoms include jaundice and a mass in the upper right side of the stomach.
What causes a swollen liver and yellowing of the eyes?
Alcoholic hepatitis – An inflamed or swollen liver due to excessive alcohol consumption. Along with clay-colored stool, the symptoms include yellowing of eyes and skin, increased fluid retention, and pain in the abdomen. Biliary cirrhosis – Irritation of bile ducts in the liver.
How long does bile acid dissolution therapy last?
This treatment can last anywhere between 6 to 12 months and involves taking an oral solution to help dissolve gallstones.
Why is my stool clay colored?
What Causes Clay-Colored Stool? Clay stool is not normal and could be a symptom of a serious medical condition. There are several diseases affecting the biliary system that can cause clay colored stool. Healthy stool can come in several different shades of brown, which is greatly affected by diet. Stool that resembles clay or pale in color, may ...
What causes clay in stool?
What Causes Clay-Colored Stool? The biliary system in the body is responsible for drainage of the pancreas, gallbladder and liver. The liver creates bile, which is stored in the gall bladder. Then the bile is secreted into the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine, as food passes through.
What is the cause of bile ducts in the liver?
2. Biliary Cirrhosis. Biliary cirrhosis occurs when the bile ducts of the liver become irritated and inflamed, which blocks bile from getting to the intestines. The cause of this illness is not known and there is no known cure at present. Biliary cirrhosis is a life-threatening condition.
What are the symptoms of bile duct tumor?
Symptoms: The most common symptom of bile duct tumor is jaundice as a result of bile obstruction. Other symptoms that may be present include weight loss and loss of appetite, itching, pain on the right side, fever, clay-colored stool and difficultly in stopping blood loss when there are breaks in the skin. 6. Biliary Stricture.
Why is my stool brown?
Healthy stool can come in several different shades of brown, which is greatly affected by diet. Stool that resembles clay or pale in color, may indicate a health issue affecting the biliary system in the body, such as a blockage of the bile ducts or another problem resulting in a lack of bile. When the digestive system is unable to properly absorb ...
What causes bile to be reduced?
Common causes of the reduction of bile production or blockage are listed below: 1. Alcoholic Hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis occurs when the liver becomes inflamed as a result of drinking alcohol. It usually occurs in people who have consumed alcohol heavily over a number of years, but can also affect moderate drinkers.
What are the symptoms of biliary stricture?
Symptoms: Symptoms of biliary stricture may include fever, chills, itching, jaundice, nausea and vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and light or clay stool. 7. Side Effects from Medication. Drug-induced hepatitis refers to liver inflammation and swelling caused by medication.
What causes jaundice after bilirubin?
After bilirubin is produced, jaundice may be caused by obstruction (blockage) of the bile ducts from: Gallstones. Inflammation (swelling) of the gallbladder.
What causes yellow skin?
This yellow color is caused by a high level of bilirubin, a yellow-orang e bile pigment. Bile is fluid secreted by the liver.
What is the term for a collection of clotted blood under the skin?
Reabsorption of a large hematoma (a collection of clotted or partially clotted blood under the skin). Hemolytic anemias (blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is over). During production of bilirubin, jaundice can be caused by:
Why do my eyes turn yellow?
Jaundice is a condition in which the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes turn yellow because of a high level of bilirubin, a yellow-orange bile pigment . Jaundice has many causes, including hepatitis, gallstones and tumors. In adults, jaundice usually doesn't need to be treated.
Can you treat jaundice in adults?
Jaundice usually doesn't require treatment in adults (it's a more severe problem in infants). The causes and complications of jaundice can be treated. For instance, if itching is bothersome, it may be eased by cholestyramine (Questran®). Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
Can jaundice cause weight loss?
If jaundice isn't caused by an infection, you may have symptoms such as weight loss or itchy skin (pruritus). If the jaundice is caused by pancreatic or biliary tract cancers, the most common symptom is abdominal pain. Sometimes, you may have jaundice occurring with liver disease if you have:
Can jaundice be found accidentally?
Sometimes, the person may not have symptoms of jaundice, and the condition may be found accidentally. The severity of symptoms depends on the underlying causes and how quickly or slowly the disease develops.
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 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, ...
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 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 duct obstruction?
Bile flow obstruction can also be caused by late-stage gallbladder cancer. One of the most common types of cancer to cause bile duct obstruction is pancreatic cancer. When the head of the pancreas gets enlarged, it can cause external obstruction of bile ducts [4,5].
What is the breakdown product of heme compounds?
Bilirubin metabolism. Bilirubin is the breakdown product of heme compounds. 80% of these heme compound come from breakdown of red blood cells, but the other 20% are from different sources, containing heme. In liver and spleen cells, biliverdin is produced from heme, and then it is converted to bilirubin. Bilirubin is hydrophobic, thus insoluble in ...
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.