Common Causes
Topics Covered in this section
- Introduction to this course
- What to expect from this course?
- How to get the most from this course
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
- You’re not alone
- It’s not ‘all in your head’
- Causes of irritable bowel syndrome
- Getting to know your gut
- Your gut and your brain talk
Related Conditions
- Small, by the food: rats/mice
- Bean-sized, by entrances to the dwelling, often in attics by the entrance: squirrels
- In piles of pellets, likely in the attic: bats
- If the feces are very mushy and soft when you clean them up: Snakes
- If it looks like dog poop. Often in attics: Raccoons or possums
- If you find it in a shed, or under the house. ...
What foods cause white poop?
White specks in stools can result from a great number of health factors. It could mean that you are lactose intolerant, or the white substance in stool could just be the by-product of a chemical in your medication. Those white balls in poop could also be a warning sign of contaminated drinking water or serious medical conditions like colitis.
What animal makes white poop?
In toddlers, white poop can be caused by any of the following underlying causes:
- The liver failing to secrete enough bile during digestion
- A cyst obstructing the bile duct, bile is what gives your stool the green or born color, when obstructed from reaching the gallbladder, your baby could end up having white ...
- Viral hepatitis, this is a medical condition marked by the inflammation of the liver. ...
Why does my poop have white stuff?
What causes poop to be white?
What foods cause white poop?
A common source of white specks in the stool is undigested food. Sometimes foods that are difficult to digest — like quinoa, nuts, seeds, high-fiber vegetables, and corn — can actually move through the digestive tract without fully digesting. This can cause small white flecks in the stool.
What disease causes white poop?
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.Feb 28, 2019
Is white poop 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. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
Can dehydration cause white stool?
Symptoms of dehydration such as decreased urination, increased thirst, fatigue, and light-headedness, also require immediate medical care. Seek prompt medical care if you have white stool unless a specific cause, such as prolonged antacid use or a recent barium study, can be identified.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
What does it mean when you have white stool?
In some cases, white stool may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting.
Why is my stool white?
In some cases, white stool may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include: Acute cholecystitis. Acute hepatitis (liver infection or inflammation) Liver failure. Pancreatitis.
Why is my stool brown?
Stool is normally brown due to the digestion of bile salts, which are made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. When the amount of bile salts is significantly reduced or they are absent, the stool can be pale or even whitish.
What can turn stool white?
Medications containing aluminum hydroxide can turn the stool white, as can barium, a white substance sometimes used to help show the digestive tract on X-ray. Stool is not normally white and you may require emergency treatment in some situations.
Can liver disease cause white stool?
Liver disease can interfere with the production of bile salts, and anything that blocks the bile ducts can prevent bile salts from reaching the intestines. White stool can occur with certain medications and barium, which is sometimes used in X-ray studies of the digestive tract.
What does it mean when you have white poop?
This kind of white poop is usually very foul smelling as well. The medical word used to describe stool with a high fat content is steatorrhea. You may see this kind of white stool if you have one of the following disorders: Celiac disease. Crohn's disease.
Why is my poop white?
In most cases if you observe white poop when you visit the bathroom you should call the doctor as soon as possible as this is a sign that you have a health problem but there are certain things which can cause this sign which are nothing to worry about. If you have recently had a barium x-ray then it is quite normal for you to have white colored ...
What does it mean when your poop is shiny?
It can be a sign of cancer of the ampulla of vater (the junction of the pancreatic duct and the common bile duct). This is called Thomas's Sign after a Dr Thomas who first noticed it in the 1950s. If you notice that your poop is a shiny metal color like silver then contact a medical practitioner immediately.
What does it mean when your stool is yellow and green?
White, pale, chalky or clay colored stools are therefore normally a sign of a lack of bile.
Why does my poop smell so bad?
Intestinal Malabsorption. Certain intestinal disorders have the effect of making it hard for the small intestine to do its work of absorbing nutrients from our food , especially fat and our resulting stools will be pale, greasy, bulky and will usually float. This kind of white poop is usually very foul smelling as well.
Why is my poop brown?
The normal brown color of poop is created by bile which is produced by the liver and secreted into the small intestine to help us digest fats. Some of it is stored in the gallbladder for later use if we eat a fatty meal.
Is it normal to have white poop after a barium x-ray?
If you have recently had a barium x-ray then it is quite normal for you to have white colored chalky poop for a few days afterwards and you do not have to worry. If you have been taking certain medications white stool can result.
Why is my poop white?
Description of the most common reasons why your stool may appear white or be covered in a white substance and the contributing conditions or substances. Cause. Description. Condition/Substance. 1. Undigested foods/medicine. Some substances are more difficult to digest and can make poo appear pale or white.
What does it mean when your stool is white?
If you find that your stool is regularly covered in white stuff, you should talk to your doctor, who will run the appropriate tests to reach an accurate diagnosis. It will most likely signify an underlying medical condition. This condition varies from subject to subject, so there is no treatment that will work for everyone.
What causes a stool to discolor?
Some medication may contain substances that contribute to stool discoloration. Excess erythromycin (antibiotics) or antacids. 4. Mucoid stools. Inner lining of intestines are inflamed and irritated. Colitis, Crohn's disease, or IBS. 5. Clumps of fungus. Candida cells and clumps of fungi appear as white specks.
What is mucus in the body?
Mucus also has a protective function. It protects your intestines from damage caused by the following: 1 Harmful fluids 2 Fungi 3 Viruses 4 Bacteria 5 Stomach acid 6 Other possible irritants
What is white stuff?
Medicine, Capsules, and Fillers. Sometimes, the white stuff is nothing more than undigested food. This may include seeds and other materials that are really difficult to digest. It could also be capsule case material, fillers, or the medicine itself. An example of this is the aluminum hydroxide in antacids.
Why do I have white stuff in my stool?
People who are lactose intolerant may also notice white stuff in their stool because they have difficulty digesting dairy products or foods with traces of dairy in them, including cheese, butter, and milk.
What are the symptoms of a poor digestive system?
Other symptoms include headaches, weight loss, weakness in the muscles, and irregular bowel movements. Symptoms that accompany intestinal conditions include:
Why is my stool white?
Digestive Problems. Any disorder in the digestive system (from the mouth to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines up to the rectum) like Whipple disease, fecal incontinence, dysentery, or esophageal achalasia can result in white stool in adults.
What causes pale stools?
The tumor may sometimes obstruct the bile duct and results in the formation of pale-colored stool. Cancer of the large intestine, small intestine, or the rectum may also cause changes in the color of the feces.
What can change the color of stool?
The contrast agent barium sulfate used for X-ray exam and some medications containing aluminum hydroxide can turn the color of stools to white. Isoniazid, a drug used to treat tuberculosis, which induces the bilirubin levels to rise, can also alter the color of the stool.
What causes gallstones in the small intestine?
Gallstones. Too much cholesterol or bilirubin (components of bile) in the gallbladder and failure of the gallbladder to sufficiently empty bile into the small intestine may result in the formation of gallstones. When gallstones become large, they may wedge in the bile duct and obstruct the flow of bile to the small intestine.
Why is my poop different color?
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.
Why is my poop yellow?
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 intestineswon’t work as they should.
What foods make your poop orange?
Pumpkin. Sweet potatoes. Foods with orange coloring, such as sodas, candy, or gelatin dessert, can also give your poop an orange color. Also, antibioticsand antacids that have aluminum hydroxide in them can make your stool orange.
Why is my poop pale?
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.
Why is my baby's poop black?
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.
Why does my waste color change?
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.
What to do if your poop is white?
If your poop is white, get a diagnosis from a healthcare provider. Keep reading to learn about the more serious causes of white stool, including symptoms and treatments.
Why does my stool turn white after diarrhea?
Having white stool after diarrhea might just be the result of taking large doses of certain antidiarrheal drugs. However, it could also be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver disease or a blocked bile duct.
Why is my stool brown?
Bile gives your stool its typical brownish color. A lack of bile in your stool is often the result of a blockage in the bile duct. The bile duct is a tube that delivers the bile to the small intestine. A number of conditions can cause a blockage, including: gallstones.
Can you have white stool after diarrhea?
Yes, be concerned if you have white stool after diarrhea. If you’ve been taking large doses of certain antidiarrheal drugs, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate), this could result in very light stools. White stools, however, could be a symptom of a more serious condition.
Why does my poop look white?
Fatty Stool. Too much fat in your stool can cause the appearance of pale, white-like poo. This is referred to as fatty stool or steatorrhea. Fatty stool happens when your body is not absorbing all of the fat in your digestive system, often due to a lack of bile.
Why do I have white specks in my poop?
Some of the possible causes can include: 1. Fungal Infection / Candida Yeast Infection. A fungal infection may be to blame for the white specks in your poop.
Why do I have white dots on my stool?
The white dots or specks in your stool may be the sign of excessive mucus in your digestive tract. Large amounts of light-colored or white mucus usually signal inflammation of the intestines, specifically the mucous lining, as seen in disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
Why is my stool brown?
Your stool is normally brown due to the presence of bile, a fluid produced by the liver to aid in digestion. White stools could indicate a problem with liver function, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
Why do I have white splotches in my bowels?
Cancers of the liver, stomach, and bowels may not directly cause the white spots in the feces, but they can trigger the health problem that does by interfering with digestion, causing the liver to create less bile, and the like.
What causes white flecks in stool?
10. Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is the small intestines’ inability to digest certain nutrients, gluten in particular. This sensitivity to the protein family causes the immune system to attack the intestines, and the undigested material ends up in the stool, often as white flecks and spots.
What to do if you have white feces?
At best, you might require a course of antibiotics to get a small parasitic infection under control. At the very worst, you may have secured a head start for treating cancer or liver disease.
The Bristol stool scale: Types of poop and what they mean
If you’re having pooping problems, you’re probably not thrilled at the idea of describing your bowel movements in detail when you visit the doctor. The good news is that you may not have to.
Keep yourself (and your poop) healthy
Healthy poop – and a healthy you – depends on many factors, including diet, exercise, overall health, medications and stress. But lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can go a long way toward producing perfect poo time after time.
When to give your doctor the scoop about your poop
Sometimes a bad bathroom experience is just the result of a bad burrito. Sometimes constipation is caused by too much cheese. These things happen – even to the best of digestive systems.
