Health

Here's what your stool color says about your health – doctor Alisova

This is what the color of your stool says about your health - doctor Alisova

Looking at the color and consistency of your stool, you can determine the state of your health.

“The ideal healthy stool should be medium brown, soft and well-formed,” says gastroenterologist Alexandra Alisova, especially for MedicForum.

However, some foods may cause a short-term discoloration, but this should not cause concern.

Beetroot, for example, gives feces a reddish-pink hue for those who cannot break down the pigment, which can sometimes last up to 48 hours. While green stools may be a sign that you have been eating a lot of greens such as broccoli, cabbage, and spinach, it can also be a sign of a bacterial infection.

Green stools may indicate a bacterial infection if they are very loose. (diarrhea) and you usually feel unwell.

“Germs like salmonella, giardia or norovirus don’t have enough time for the stool to turn brown, which causes a green tinge.”
Some medications can cause green stools, such as antibiotics, birth control, and iron supplements. If you have not eaten foods with yellow food coloring or turmeric, this stool color may indicate a health condition.

The color of your stool signals problems with your digestive system and liver

“If you have celiac disease, your body cannot handle gluten. Therefore, if you eat protein-rich foods such as wheat, barley, and rye, your intestines will not work properly. If you eat these foods and notice that your stools have turned yellow, you should see a doctor.”
Dark stools may be a sign of bowel cancer.

“This may indicate dried or old blood from the upper intestine “.

If you have dark stools, there may be bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract, so it's important to see a doctor.

What your stool color says: 5 different shades of stool for various problems

Blood in feces can also indicate bowel cancer, especially if accompanied by:

  • Fever
  • < li>Excessive weakness

  • Vomiting.

MedicalForum has previously written about signs of thrombosis.

class= “warning_txt”>Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.