What does it mean when your POOP is pale in color?
17/09/2012 · 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.
What does it mean when you have clay colored stools?
Answered by Dr. Heidi Fowler: Pale stool: Have clay / pale colored stools checked out. This can occ... Ask doctors free. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Disclaimer. pale stool pictures. A 49-year-old member asked: what can cause pale stool? Dr. Heidi Fowler answered. 25 years experience Psychiatry. Pale stool: Have clay / pale colored stools checked out. This can …
What is the normal color of stool?
31/07/2020 · White Poop. When you pass a white, gray or pale stool, it might be an indication of liver or gallbladder problem. Generally, pale stools mean that the body isn’t secreting enough bile to give it the characteristic brown color.
What causes light colored stool or stool that appears white?
03/12/2009 · Keeping track of your stools, taking pictures, and keeping a stool diary will also help you recognize patterns that you can bring to the attention of your healthcare provider. According to HealthLine, you should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following changes in bowel habits: 1. blood in your stool; increased mucus in your stool; watery, diarrhea …
What is considered a pale colored stool?
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 does pale looking poop look like?
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. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
What color is your stool if you have liver problems?
Pale Poop and Dark Pee Your liver is the reason that healthy poop looks brown. The brown color comes from bile salts made by your liver. 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.17-May-2021
Is pale 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.
Why is my poop very pale?
Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color. 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.
What are signs that your liver is struggling?
SymptomsSkin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)Abdominal pain and swelling.Swelling in the legs and ankles.Itchy skin.Dark urine color.Pale stool color.Chronic fatigue.Nausea or vomiting.More items...•21-Feb-2020
What color is stool with pancreatitis?
Chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, a blockage in the pancreatic duct, or cystic fibrosis can also turn your stool yellow. These conditions prevent your pancreas from providing enough of the enzymes your intestines need to digest food.
Can anxiety cause pale stools?
Anxiety does not specifically affect the color of stool, but it can affect how food moves through the digestive tract.
Why are my stools brown?
Normal stools can vary in shades of brown, mostly due to your diet. Pale stools are not normal. If your stools are pale or clay-colored, you may have a problem with the drainage of your biliary system, which is comprised of your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color.
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.
Can alcohol cause liver failure?
Alcoholic hepatitis is swelling or inflammation of the liver caused by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis can lead to liver disease or liver failure. To treat this form of hepatitis, you’ll have to stop drinking alcohol.
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.
Can alcohol cause malnutrition?
Alcoholic hepatitis can also cause malnutrition, so you may also need to be put on a special diet to get the vitamins and other nutrients you need. Medications such as prednisone (RAYOS) and pentoxifylline (Pentopak) can also treat liver inflammation. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be needed.
Why is my child's stool white?
Some of the causes are: 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 causes pancreatitis?
Some conditions can cause pancreatitis, which is swelling and inflammation of the pancreas. These include: 1 infections 2 gallstones 3 excessive alcohol consumption 4 a high-fat diet 5 pancreatic cancer
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.
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?
Gallbladder disease. 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.
Can iron make your stool dark brown?
Some foods may lighten the color of stool, especially fatty foods, or those containing food coloring. Vitamins that include iron can turn the color of stool dark brown. It is fine for bowel movements to be lighter than usual occasionally.
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 can cause pale stool?
Pale stool: Have clay / pale colored stools checked out. This can occur when the liver does not produce enough bile or when bile is blocked from leaving the live ... Read More
help please? what is causing my pale stool?
Don't know. Are you: ill? Light colored (like clay) stool might be seen w liver problems like hepatitis, liver cancer or cirrhosis. There could be gallstones, biliary duc ... Read More
is a one time pale stool cause for concern?
No: Most likely was due to something different in your diet the day before.
can zantac (ranitidine) cause pale stool?
Ranitidine : ranitidine is not reported to cause pale stools. I would not worry about it unless you are noticing other symptoms along with it. If you develop yello ... Read More
what can cause pale stool (almost skin colored)?
Pale stool: Have clay / pale colored stools checked out. This can occur when the liver does not produce enough bile or when bile is blocked from leaving the live ... Read More
besides liver problems, what could be the cause of pale stool? (almost constant)
Billiary disease: A large dose of diarrhea medications containing bismuth subslicylate, such as kaopectate (kaolin and pectin) or pepto-bismol, may cause stools to temp ... Read More
i'm taking pariet rabeprazol . i often have a pale stool while taking this medicine. is it serous problem?
No it is not a Probe: This is a safe medicine that should not affect the color of you stool. Stop looking at it as you do not have anything serious unless your doctor who p ... Read More
Why is my poop white?
White Poop. When you pass a white, gray or pale stool, it might be an indication of liver or gallbladder problem. Generally, pale stools mean that the body isn’t secreting enough bile to give it the characteristic brown color. Advertisements. Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. In addition, some drugs used in treating ...
What does it mean when your blood is red?
Blood is usually red but when it goes through the process of digestion in the gut, the action of enzymes and bacteria turn its color black.
Why is my poop black?
Black Poop. When you notice the color of your stool is black and it looks coffee color, it might be as a result of what you ingested. When you take iron supplements or blood tonic, your poop maybe black. Other causes include black licorice, black stout, and bismuth medications. However, if you had not taken any of the above, ...
What causes orange poop?
These fruits include carrots and winter squash. Also, some medication like antacids and antibiotics like Rifampicin can make your poop orange. Advertisements.
Why is my stool green?
Green Stool. If your stool is green, it might be due to your high consumption of green vegetables like spinach, kale or other green foods. It can also occur in diarrhea. Food may pass through the intestines too quickly that there isn’t enough time for bacteria and enzymes to change the green color of bile to brown.
Why is there mucus in my stool?
A small amount of mucus in your stool is nothing to be concerned about; large amounts of mucus or mucus accompanied with blood or pus can be the result of a number of infections or conditions (see below) and should be investigated by a doctor. Blood in your stool can vary in appearance.
What does it mean when your poop is red?
Blood in your stool can vary in appearance. It can be bright red and be streaked or spotted. Your poo may also be tarry and dark (called melena), which is an indication of bleeding in a higher area of the GI tract.
Where does blood come from in stool?
The brighter the blood is, the lower it may be coming from in the gastrointestinal tract (colon), rather than the higher gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine). A physician should always investigate blood in the stool to rule out potentially serious conditions. 8.
Can melena be detected by a rectal exam?
Melena Symptoms and Diagnosis. The black color alone is not enough to determine that blood is being passed in the stool. Therefore, a doctor will need to confirm. This can be done in the office through a rectal exam, or you may be sent home with a kit to collect a small sample that can be sent to a lab for evaluation.
Why does my stool smell so bad?
Foul-smelling stool can also be caused by malabsorption issues, such as lactose intolerance, celiac disease, food allergies, or inflammatory bowel disease, so if this is a persistent issue , you should take steps to find the underlying cause. 7.
What happens if you don't poop in 3 days?
pus in your stool. severe abdominal pain. And you should make plans to see the doctor if: You haven't pooped in three days. You can't pass gas. You have mild, persistent abdominal pain. You have lost the ability to control your bowels and have sudden urges to have a bowel movement.
Why does my poop turn purple?
There can be many reasons: The first and most obvious is eating green foods. Green, leafy vegetables contain chlorophyll, which could be coloring the stool green. Foods with dark purple coloring, like Kool-Aid, popsicles, and gelatin (Jell-O), can also result in rainbow-colored poop.
Why is my stool green?
Green stool may be caused by: Diarrhea, since food is moving through your intestines faster.
What does it mean when your poop is different colors?
What do different stool colors mean? Checking the color of your stool is a very good way to monitor your overall health. Most of the time, stool will be light to dark brown in color. But stool that’s a different color, texture, or consistency, are all signs there’s something different going on in your body.
Is stool color a problem?
Kumar. Abnormal stool color by itself is not a problem. It’s the underlying cause that may need to be treated. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your stool color, note any other symptoms (diarrhea, fever) or foods you’ve eaten recently, and talk to your doctor.
Why is my stool white?
If your stool is pale in color or white, it usually means that bile isn’t moving through your GI tract. This would mean that there’s an obstruction of the bile duct that isn’t letting the bile flow into the intestine. Sometimes, the color can be from large doses of medications.
What does it mean when your poop is black?
Black, tarry stool or bright red stool could be a sign of blood in the stool. Pale, clay-colored stool can be a sign of a blockage of your bile duct. Contact your doctor if you are concerned about the color of your stool.
Why is my stool light colored?
Sometimes, the color can be from large doses of medications. 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.
What to do if your stool color changes?
If your stool color has changed because of a change in diet and there are no other symptoms, no treatment is needed. If you are bleeding, you may need to go to the hospital, have laboratory and imaging tests, and possibly even a procedure, such as an endoscopy or colonoscopy.
Why is my stool light colored?
For example, a barium enema—which is a special X-ray test of the large intestine—can be conducted to help uncover disease affecting the intestine. The inability to absorb fat properly may lead to the light-colored stool. The term for this is “acholic” and it is usually a result of lack of bile.
What color is my poop?
The color of your stool may seem irrelevant. However, clay-colored or pale stool can be a cause for concern. Some people who experience pale stool ignore it, thinking there is nothing they can do about it. Normal looking stools are various shades of brown, and this is normally a result of a healthy diet. Clay-colored stools are pale, white, ...
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.
Can gallstones cause cirrhosis?
The exact cause of biliary cirrhosis is unknown and it can be fatal. Gallstones – Hardened deposits in the gallbladder that can block the flow of bile. Many people don’t experience symptoms, while others complain about pain in the back, stomach, and right shoulder.
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 ...
What is the name of the virus that causes a swollen liver?
Viral hepatitis – Swelling or inflammation of the liver due to viruses like hep A, B, or C. In most cases, symptoms don’t appear until liver damage occurs. They include dark urine and flu-like symptoms. Alcoholic hepatitis – An inflamed or swollen liver due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Can gallbladder surgery cause nausea?
Biliary stricture – Gallbladder removal surgery can lead to narrowing of the bile ducts. Fever, chills, itching, nausea, vomiting, as well as upper right abdominal pain are some of the symptoms. Tumors – Bile duct tumors can interfere with bile flow and inflame the liver.
What causes a clay odor in stool?
Possible causes for clay-colored stools include: 1 Alcoholic hepatitis 2 Biliary cirrhosis 3 Cancer or noncancerous (benign) tumors of the liver, biliary system, or pancreas 4 Cysts of the bile ducts 5 Gallstones 6 Some medicines 7 Narrowing of the bile ducts ( biliary strictures) 8 Sclerosing cholangitis 9 Structural problems in the biliary system that are present from birth (congenital) 10 Viral hepatitis
Why do I have brown stools?
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. Yellow skin ( jaundice) often occurs with clay-colored stools.
What tests are done to check liver function?
Tests that may be done include: Blood tests, including tests to check liver function and for viruses that might affect the liver. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Imaging studies, such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI of liver and bile ducts.
Where does food pass through the body?
Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs. Whatever has not been absorbed by the small intestine passes into the colon. In the colon most of the water is absorbed from the food residue. The residue is then eliminated from the body as feces.
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, ...
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.
Does bile break down?
As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely. Green leafy vegetables, green food coloring, such as in flavored drink mixes or ice pops, iron supplements. A lack of bile in stool. This may indicate a bile duct obstruction.
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.