What does a person’s poop color mean?
According to the You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., poop colors in varying shades of brown are considered normal. Some shades of greenish-brown are also considered to be normal.
Poop usually starts as a greenish color due to the presence of bile salts. Bile salts are yellow-green in color. As the poop continues to travel through the intestines, the color of poop changes to brown as it combines with bilirubin.
Sometimes poop can change color based on a medical condition. Other times it can change color based on foods, drinks, or medications someone has consumed.
Examples of possible color changes in stool can include:
Black
If stool is You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and often coffee ground-like in appearance, this could be a sign of potential bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The blood is older and therefore travels down the intestinal tract. However, substances such as iron supplements, bismuth medications, and black licorice can cause a person’s stool to appear black.
Green
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. can indicate a person’s stool is moving very quickly through the digestive tract and has more bile salts than bilirubin. Eating lots of green foods such as spinach or foods that have added green food coloring can also turn stool green.
Pale, white, or clay-colored
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. indicate a lack of bile. This may be due to a problem with the liver or gallbladder, which both secrete bile. However, taking some anti-diarrhea medications and bismuth-containing medications can also cause stool to appear white or pale.
Red
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. can be very concerning: It can indicate a possible gastrointestinal bleed. If the amount of blood is small, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. could be the cause. If there’s a larger amount of blood, bleeding from a point in the lower intestinal tract could be the source.
However, a person’s stool can turn red based on what they’re eating or drinking. Examples of these foods include beets, cranberries, tomato juice, and red gelatin.
Orange
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. is often cause by beta carotene. This compound can be found in many vegetables, fruits, or grains. Foods rich in beta carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash.
Blocked bile ducts can also lead to orange stools. Taking medications such as the antibiotic You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and antacids that contain You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. can also cause orange stool.
Yellow, greasy, or foul-smelling
The presence of too much fat in a person’s stool can lead to a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. or You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. However, sometimes a person can have a disorder where their body doesn’t absorb nutrients as well. An example is You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
If a person has an occasional change in stool color, this isn’t usually cause for concern. However, red or black stool, as well as other stool color changes that last for longer than two to three weeks, can also be cause for concern.
Source:
According to the You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., poop colors in varying shades of brown are considered normal. Some shades of greenish-brown are also considered to be normal.
Poop usually starts as a greenish color due to the presence of bile salts. Bile salts are yellow-green in color. As the poop continues to travel through the intestines, the color of poop changes to brown as it combines with bilirubin.
Sometimes poop can change color based on a medical condition. Other times it can change color based on foods, drinks, or medications someone has consumed.
Examples of possible color changes in stool can include:
Black
If stool is You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and often coffee ground-like in appearance, this could be a sign of potential bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The blood is older and therefore travels down the intestinal tract. However, substances such as iron supplements, bismuth medications, and black licorice can cause a person’s stool to appear black.
Green
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. can indicate a person’s stool is moving very quickly through the digestive tract and has more bile salts than bilirubin. Eating lots of green foods such as spinach or foods that have added green food coloring can also turn stool green.
Pale, white, or clay-colored
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. indicate a lack of bile. This may be due to a problem with the liver or gallbladder, which both secrete bile. However, taking some anti-diarrhea medications and bismuth-containing medications can also cause stool to appear white or pale.
Red
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. can be very concerning: It can indicate a possible gastrointestinal bleed. If the amount of blood is small, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. could be the cause. If there’s a larger amount of blood, bleeding from a point in the lower intestinal tract could be the source.
However, a person’s stool can turn red based on what they’re eating or drinking. Examples of these foods include beets, cranberries, tomato juice, and red gelatin.
Orange
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. is often cause by beta carotene. This compound can be found in many vegetables, fruits, or grains. Foods rich in beta carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash.
Blocked bile ducts can also lead to orange stools. Taking medications such as the antibiotic You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and antacids that contain You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. can also cause orange stool.
Yellow, greasy, or foul-smelling
The presence of too much fat in a person’s stool can lead to a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. or You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. However, sometimes a person can have a disorder where their body doesn’t absorb nutrients as well. An example is You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
If a person has an occasional change in stool color, this isn’t usually cause for concern. However, red or black stool, as well as other stool color changes that last for longer than two to three weeks, can also be cause for concern.
Source:
- Bowel habits and aging. (n.d.).
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. - Bristol stool chart. (n.d.).
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. - How often does the average person poop? (n.d.).
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. - Picco MF. (2016). Stool color: When to worry.
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. - Yang PJ. et al. (2017). Hemodynamics of defecation. DOI:
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