Your Poop Color and Your Health: What EVERYONE Needs to Know
(AscendHealthy.com) – While it may be a gross topic for some, understanding what different poop colors means could answer a lot of questions about health. Whether you have regular, smooth-moving bowel movements or not, it’s worth it to take a glance into the toilet next time you go. Here is what it could signify.
Dark or Light Green Appearance
You took a glance, and your loose stool specimen has a green tone to it? Don’t freak out just yet. Green in the stool is relatively normal, especially if your diet consists of a lot of leafy greens or foods that have a green dye to them.
If you don’t follow a high-vegetable diet or if you haven’t eaten blue or green cake frosting, there may be an underlying intestinal issue going on. Food may be flowing through the large intestine too quickly. Diarrhea could also be the culprit. As a result, bile may not be broken down, causing a greenish hue.
Bright Red or Black
Are you experiencing some bright red in the toilet when going to the bathroom? This may seem alarming at first, but the reality is, it’s nothing to get too worked up about. It’s likely a small fissure or tear in the outer skin of the anus. It could be from straining to go to the bathroom or a rupture of a hemorrhoid. If the bleeding persists or is excessive, seek urgent care.
On the other hand, thick stools that appear very dark or black can be a serious indicator of a possible GI bleed. This might be from an intestinal rupture, a tumor or a tear somewhere in the upper intestine or stomach. Make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible and be sure to explain your toilet symptom.
White or Very Light
Looking down and seeing white, chalky poop in the toilet can be disturbing. White, light or clay hues might suggest a possible bile duct obstruction, resulting in less bile in the stool. It could be from something you’ve eaten recently, or it could be a gallbladder or digestive issue.
A thorough workup with a doctor is in order to determine an exact cause and treatment plan.
Yellow-Tinted
Yellow stools may indicate a lot of extra fat is being moved through your intestines. The stool could be greasy and foul-smelling, too. Celiac disease or a malabsorption disorder might be the problem.
Gluten, found in many foods, such as bread, snacks, and cereals, might be the issue. Keep a food log for a few days to track how many gluten-based items are consumed throughout the day. Consider a food-elimination diet to help determine food-based causes.
Some people keep a close watch on their bowel habits, while others don’t pay much attention. If you see something strange or you’re not feeling yourself, it’s worth investigating further with your healthcare provider. While most color changes in poop are simply diet-related, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
~Here’s to Your Healthy Ascension
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