Common Causes
Pale stool: Causes and treatments
- Causes of pale stool. Consuming fatty foods may make a person’s stools pale in color. ...
- Pale stool in children. Breastfed babies will generally have light-colored stools. ...
- Pale stool during pregnancy. ...
- When to see a doctor. ...
- Summary. ...
Related Conditions
What Foods Cause Pale Stools. Certain foods can change the color of your stool. For example, beets can change the color of your poop to dark red and eating alots of veggies can give your stool a green hue. But are there foods that lighten stool color? Yes. Foods high in fat can lighten the color of your stool. Food coloring in foods can also ...
What causes pale stools and how is it treated?
- Beets. Notice red poop after eating beets? ...
- Green Veggies. If you like to load up on greens like spinach, broccoli and lettuce, your poop may reflect that. ...
- Blueberries. Blueberries can cause your poop to have a blue or black tinge. ...
- Food Coloring. In 2017, Oreo and Peeps teamed up to make Peeps Oreos, a novelty snack with a bright pink filling. ...
- Medications. ...
What foods cause pale stool?
- Red – Bright red or dark red in the stool can indicate bleeding somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. ...
- Black – Similar to red in the stool, a persistent black color in stool can indicate internal bleeding from esophageal varices. ...
- Grey, Pale, Yellow or Clay-Colored – The liver releases bile into the stool, giving it a normal brown color. ...
What foods change stool color?
What color should stool be?
Why is my poop so light tan?
Bile from the liver creates the typical brown hue of a healthy bowel movement. When the stool is very pale, it often means that not enough bile is reaching the stool. Problems with the gallbladder, pancreas, or liver are reasons why stool may not contain enough bile.
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.
What is considered light-colored stool?
Clay-colored or white stools (pale stools) Light-colored or clay-colored stools are often seen with diseases of the liver or bile ducts. The pale stool may be caused by pancreatic cancer that blocks the bile ducts. Lack of bile causes stool to lose its brown color and leaves it appearing pale.
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.
How do you know if your bile duct is blocked?
Bile duct obstruction is a blockage in the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine....Symptoms may include:Abdominal pain in the upper right side.Dark urine.Fever.Itching.Jaundice (yellow skin color)Nausea and vomiting.Pale-colored stools.
What does pale poop look like?
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 color is your poop supposed to be worried about?
Consult your doctor if you're concerned about your stool color. 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.
What color poop indicates a problem?
Stool Color Changes Facts Normal stool color is brown. This is due to the presence of bile in the stool. Normal stool color can range from light yellow to brown to almost black. If stool is red, maroon, black, clay-colored, pale, yellow, or green this may signify a problem.
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 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.
How to tell if you have liver disease?
In addition to pale stool, other symptoms of liver disease include: 1 nausea and vomiting 2 fatigue 3 very dark urine 4 fatty stool 5 itching 6 swelling in the ankles or legs
Why is my stool not bile?
Problems with the gallbladder, pancreas, or liver are reasons why stool may not contain enough bile. People who have consistently pale stools may want to talk to a doctor about conditions that affect these organs.
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.
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 your stool is red?
Consult your doctor if you're concerned about your stool color. If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention.
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.
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.
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 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 ...
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 does it mean when your stools are acholic?
The medical term, " acholic, " refers to light-colored stools that result from a lack of bile.
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.
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:
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, ...
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 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.
How to fix a clay poop?
In situations where bile ducts are blocked, surgery may be the answer. When the problem is linked to the gallbladder, surgical removal of the gallbladder may be the best way to address it. There are cases where removal is not necessary, but surgery to fix the issue can be performed. Bile acid dissolution therapy is an alternative to surgery in situations where there is a gallstone less than 0.5 mm. This treatment can last anywhere between 6 to 12 months and involves taking an oral solution to help dissolve gallstones. When it comes to repairing strictures in the bile duct, surgery is also a possibility. It will allow bile to flow properly again.
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.
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.
Why is my stool discolored?
In many cases, it could be caused by the food you eat or a medication you’re taking. But if your stool is discolored for a few days, or you have other symptoms, it could be a sign of something more serious.
Why is my bile green?
Bile travels through the GI tract and changes to brown when it interacts with certain enzymes. If your stool is green, it usually means that you have changed your diet slightly or your food is traveling through the large intestines faster than normal so it doesn’t have enough time to break down and change color.
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 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 dark brown?
If your stool is not normal-colored (light or dark brown), it means you have some gut issue, whether it's just food that didn't sit right, food poisoning, or a virus. But sometimes it can be a sign of bleeding (red/black stool), or a liver or gallbladder issue (very pale stool), so don't ignore a discoloration.
Why is my poop yellow?
If your stool is yellow, or more likely, contains yellow droplets (seen floating on the toilet bowl), it is a sign of fat in the stool. It can also have a bad odor and a greasy texture. You may see noticeable amounts of fat in your stool when it’s not absorbed properly by the body. Yellow stool can be a sign you’re having malabsorption issues—along with other signs like difficulty maintaining or gaining weight.
What are the colors of poop?
The normal stool can be a variety of different colors without indicating the presence of serious disease. The most common stool colors include: 1 Dark brown 2 Light brown 3 Orange 4 Tan 5 Yellow
What does it mean when your stool is red?
If you have stools that are this color, contact your doctor but do not overreact. Although it is true that red- or black-colored stools suggest bleeding and may indicate the presence of something like colon cancer, there are many other possibilities that are not as scary.
Why is my toddler's stool purple?
The cause can be simple—your toddler got into a stash of grape-flavored treats that turned his stool purple —or it may indicate a medical issue.
Why is my stool white?
No. Pale, clay-colored, or white stool can be a sign of problems with the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, or the duct that secretes bile. 1 If you have fever, abdominal pain, or yellowing of the skin, seek emergency medical treatment.
What is the hardest part of having IBS?
One of the most challenging aspects of having IBS is trying to figure out what's safe to eat. Our recipe guide makes it easier. Sign up and get yours now!
Can stools change without illness?
It's important to remember that stools can change dramatically without necessarily signaling serious illness. Yet it can be hard to know when to worry and when you can breathe easy.
Can IBS cause abnormal stool?
As stated above, IBS by definition involves a change in stool appearance. So, yes, your stool may look abnormal to you. Just remember that abnormal does not necessarily mean that your doctors have missed a more serious disease.
Normal vs. Abnormal Stools
Stools that are lightly colored or pale.
Causes
Concerning Symptoms
Diagnosing The Underlying Condition
Treatment
- The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.1 Bile, a digestive fluid, is created in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and finally released into the first section of the small intestine (the duodenum) while food passes. Some medical issues can affect the liver or biliary system and cause pale stools. These include: 1. Alcoholic hepatitis, a disease from alcoh…
Summary
- Clay-colored stool caused by a medical condition might also be accompanied by a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice) or darkened urine. The presence of jaundice and pale stools could indicate a buildup of chemicals in your body.2Therefore, jaundice is a serious condition you should discuss with a healthcare provider.
A Word from Verywell
- A healthcare provider must first identify the underlying cause to treat pale stools. In addition to a complete medical history, they may order some of the following tests: 1. Liver function tests, blood tests to help determine if a condition involves the liver2 2. Abdominal ultrasound, look at things like the gallbladder 3. Blood work to test for infection 4. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio…