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Changes in stool color may be due to diarrhea; bleeding in the intestine; diseases of the intestines,liver, or
pancreas; and medications
Green stool or poop is a common stool color change. It may be due to bile pigment in the stool because
diarrhea moves food too quickly thorough the intestine so the chemical can't break down, or the green color
may be due to certain foods like green, leafy vegetables or green food coloring.
Red or black colored stool may be a sign of bleeding in the GI tract (from the esophagus, stomach, small
intestine or colon) and should not be ignored.
When stool color changes, what tests need to be done depend upon depends upon what cause is suspected
for the stool color change. For example, gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy may be required to evaluate red or
black stools if bleeding is suspected.
The treatment for stool color changes is to treat the underlying cause.
What does it mean when your stool color changes in color, texture, or form?
Bowel movements are usually light to dark brown in color, and there is moderate variation among individuals with
respect to stool color, quantity and form. When these changes in stool do occur it can mean that there may be an illness
affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or the entire body.
particularly if the changes are consistent over time and not present in only one stool may mean something needs to be
investigated.
What are the causes of stool color, texture, and form changes?
In most cases, stool color changes are not symptoms of disease. Changes in stool color may be due to:
Green stools
If stool passes through the intestine too quickly, there might not be enough time for bile to be digested and broken down
to provide the normal brownish stool color. Normally bile is chemically changed by bacteria in the intestine to a
greenish-brown color. It takes time for the bile to be fully changed in the intestine and become brown again, and if the
transit time is short, for example, when a person has diarrhea, the stool remains green colored.
Green stools may be a normal variant. They also can be caused by a diet rich in green vegetables, especially
spinach. Iron supplements also may be a cause, though iron often turns stool black.
The most common cause of bright red stool in adults is bleeding from hemorrhoids.
In infants the most common cause is an anal fissure or tear in the tissue surrounding the anus.
Other causes for bright red blood in the stool may be more serious such as:
Infections of the intestines
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
Diverticular bleeding
Tumors
Arteriovenous malformations (abnormal communications between arteries and veins in the wall of the intestine
that rupture).
Brisk bleeding from the an ulcer in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum also may cause stools to be red
instead of black if there has not been enough time for the red blood cells to be digested.
Red food coloring and beets can also give a reddish hue to the stool.
Maroon stools
Maroon colored stools are often due to bleeding in the GI tract. The source of bleeding for red stools is the upper GI
tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum), while the colon is the source for bright red blood. Maroon stools, which is
caused by partial digestion of the blood in the intestine often arises from the small intestine (jejunum, ileum)
and proximal colon, but the color also depends in part on how rapidly the blood travels through the intestines. The faster
the stool moves through the GI tract, the brighter red the color. This can be an emergency situation.
In children with intussusception, where one portion or the intestine telescopes into another part, causing a temporary
obstruction, stools may be described as currant jelly in color and consistency.
Any condition that causes increased amounts of gas to form in the intestines theoretically may lead to floating stool,
especially in conditions where there is malabsorption of nutrients such as withlactose intolerance, celiac disease, cystic
fibrosis, and short bowel syndrome.
Women who are pregnant often note changes in their bowel pattern. Stool can turn black because of iron and
vitaminsupplements. Iron can also turn stool greenish. As the uterus enlarges and increases pressure within the
pelvis, constipation may occur and hemorrhoids can develop and cause blood in the stool.
If there is no underlying problem, stool color changes are often due to changes in the diet and will resolve in a couple of
days. If this is not the case and changes persist, it is appropriate to contact your health-care professional and seek
medical attention.
Contact your health-care professional if you have stool color changes and have associated symptoms such as vomiting,
diarrhea, fever or abdominal pain.
It is important to remember that every person is different and changes in bowel habit be it color, size, frequency, or
consistency (hard or soft) may be normal for one person or a sign of a potential problem for another.
Comment
Sub-Header
Black
GI bleeding
This is an emergency
Black
Iron, bismuth
Maroon
GI bleeding
This is an emergency
Red
Hemorrhoids
Red
Red
Red
Green
May be normal
Green
Green
Brown
Normal color
Yellow
Malabsorption
Yellow
Yellow
Giardia infection
http://www.medicinenet.com/stool_color_changes/article.htm