White stool is not always the norm healthy person, elderly or child. Therefore, if you observe such a symptom for more than a few days, then you need to consult a doctor to find out why your stool has turned white.
The color of stool in an adult depends on many factors, both physiological and pathological.
There are external reasons:
There are also internal reasons: 
At normal diet The color of human stool varies from dark brown to light brown.
And people who overuse fermented milk products may have pale stools yellow.
One of the main causes of constipation and diarrhea is use of various medications. To improve bowel function after taking medications, you need to do it every day. drink a simple remedy ...
Photo of white feces Two bile pigments are responsible for the color of stool - stercobilin and bilirubin. It is bilirubin that colors stool in the color we are accustomed to. brown, but if it is not enough, stercobilin comes into force, which gives the stool white.
Such replacements can occur due to malfunction of the gallbladder, or in the presence of anomalies in its structure, when the bile duct is bent and pigments cannot enter the intestines. A lack of bilirubin will be observed with a disease such as hepatitis.
In addition to pigments, bile plays an important role. It enters the intestines through the duodenum and there it begins the process of breaking down and processing the food that a person consumes.
If bile is not supplied or is supplied in small quantities, then all proteins, fats and plant fibers are not digested properly, and this can lead to discoloration of the stool, white grains, streaks or even yellow balls, whitish inclusions.
If a person does not consume excessive amounts of fats and alcohol, he adheres to balanced nutrition, leads active image life, does not accept any medicines, and the stool still turns white, then you should immediately consult a doctor for advice.
If you do not do this on time, you may miss the beginning of the development of such dangerous diseases such as stomach cancer, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, pancreatic cancer.
Sometimes it is not the color of stool itself that signals the presence of a disease; it happens that the stool is covered with a white coating or, grains and dots of white color can occur periodically or be constant companions of the stool. Each of these signs can give the doctor a lead on how to identify the disease and what the diagnosis might be.
If a person's diet is rich plant products White fibers will be found in the stool.
Sometimes this is also a sign that the gastrointestinal tract is not working properly and is processing food untimely and incompletely.
Roundworms can cause light-colored stools If there are white lumps in the stool (and this most often happens in a child under one year old), this indicates the immaturity of the digestive system, or a malfunction in its functioning in adults. If children also have foam and loose stools added to such white grains, this indicates that the formula for feeding is not suitable for the baby and it needs to be replaced. This is common in artificial babies.
A separate symptom is the presence of white mucus in the stool.
Normally, mucus should be present in a person’s intestines. It promotes the gentle movement of feces through the intestines and prevents excessive hard stool and rough, dry intestinal walls.
Mucus is usually not noticeable in the stool, but if there is a lot of it or it turns a clear white color, then you need to find out why this happened.
Sometimes this happens with a large consumption of bananas and melons, as well as cottage cheese, sour cream and milk.
But if this option is excluded, then the body should be diagnosed.
White mucus in the stool can be a symptom of a disease, namely:
If you find white mucus in your or your child’s stool, be sure to consult your doctor about this to find out what disease this happens with.
Not only white or gray feces, impurities of threads or veins, as well as the presence of white lumps signal the occurrence of a disease. Usually the patient pays attention to these symptoms second or third. The first thing that attracts his attention is the accompanying signs of the disease.
These could be: 
If all of these symptoms or one of them are added to white stool, you need to consult a doctor or call an ambulance.
Treatment should not be delayed under any circumstances, as the disease may begin to progress steadily.
If your stool turns white, light yellow, or gray, need to be carried out comprehensive diagnostics body to find out what this symptom means. The doctor will prescribe a number of examinations, but the first of them will be a stool test.
Here you can carry out a test that will show the presence of leukocytes, hidden blood in a chair. They also test feces for eggworm testing to detect helminthic infestations. You can test a person's blood for the presence of antibodies to any viral disease, the same hepatitis.
Coprogram results - what the doctor will see If cystic fibrosis was diagnosed in childhood, then patients will not attach due importance to the white color of the stool, but periodic checking will not hurt, so as not to miss the development of another disease.
An additional study will be an ultrasound of the organs. abdominal cavity. This will allow us to identify neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract.
If at the time of the appearance of white stool a person is taking medications (aspirin, oral contraceptives, paracetamol, broad- or narrow-spectrum antibiotics), then the doctor should pay attention to this and replace the drugs with their analogues.
If this does not help, you need to carry out further diagnostics until the reasons are established.
Treatment should not be symptomatic, but should be aimed at eliminating the problem.
Having found out what is the cause of stool discoloration, the doctor may prescribe:
Or advise changing the diet if no pathologies are detected in the body.
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The white chair is alarm signal, forcing many people to see a doctor. This sign indicates serious disturbances in the functioning of the body or is a consequence of changes in diet.
In any case, the manifestation of a symptom within a few days should be a reason for a thorough diagnosis. So why is stool white?
Lightening feces considered normal for children early age, since they only receive formula or breast milk as food. The reasons for white stool lie in the immaturity of the enzyme system and monotony in nutrition.
Similar symptoms in adults, they often result from changes in diet. Predominance large quantity fatty foods leads to lightening of the stool. The cause may be the consumption of alcohol, high-calorie desserts, butter, cream, chocolate.
If this state is not accompanied by pain or nausea, so there is no need to worry. It is enough to make adjustments to the diet to cope with the problem.
What disease causes stool to become lighter in color?
Ordinary brown tint feces is associated with the action of bilirubin - this substance is a component of bile. White feces are associated with a violation of the passage of bile into the intestines. There are also some diseases that can provoke the appearance of light-colored stools. So, what disease causes white stool?
Sometimes the reason for lightening of the stool in adults lies in the use of certain medications. These primarily include antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs for the treatment of gout.
white feces photo
Bilirubin affects the coloring of feces. This substance is secreted by the liver along with bile. Yellow tint stool in a healthy person is a variant of the norm.
In this case, beige feces should be a cause for concern - this means that the liver synthesizes bilirubin unstably. Sometimes this indicates a narrowing bile ducts. The appearance of light yellow stool should be a signal to visit a doctor and prescribe additional diagnostics.
The appearance of clots of white mucus or plaque on the stool may indicate the manifestation of fistulas in the rectum or proctitis. In this case, purulent masses penetrate into the stool from the inflamed intestinal tissues.
The appearance of the disease is often indicated not only by clots of white mucus, but also by pain in the area anus, as well as an increase in body temperature. When specified symptoms You should immediately consult a doctor.
In most cases, the symptom indicates the development of proctitis. If white stool has a cheesy consistency, the doctor will suspect intestinal candidiasis, provoked by fungal microorganisms. Candidiasis usually develops against the background of a disturbance in the intestinal microflora.
The stool is accompanied by unpleasant smell, indicating the accumulation of a large amount of bile in the gallbladder. Then stones form in it, pancreatitis and even malignant tumors develop.
If a person’s stool suddenly becomes discolored, the temperature rises, pain appears in the side and dark urine is observed, an urgent need to call ambulance. Such symptoms indicate serious disturbances in the functioning of the biliary system, acute or chronic form cholecystitis, hepatitis.
Changes in the color of stool in young children are not usually a symptom. serious illnesses. The following factors lead to this condition:
However, it is important to consider that in some situations the reasons for lightening of stool in children can be very serious. The most common diseases include the following:
In most cases, lightening of stool in children is not a symptom of serious illness. Most often, a change in color indicates a change in diet. Consumption leads to it excess quantity sweets, medications containing calcium, fatty foods.
Of course, the appearance of white feces causes concern among people. However, a one-time phenomenon should not be a cause for alarm - most often it is associated with the composition and color of foods in the human diet.
If your health seriously deteriorates, and the stool long time remains white, you should definitely consult a doctor. After this, the specialist will prescribe necessary research and select therapy.
When lightening stool, you first need to consult a therapist. If there are no other signs, it is worth making adjustments to your diet. To do this, it is recommended to give up alcoholic beverages, fatty foods, spicy and fried foods for 2-3 days. If after 3 days the stool returns, there is no need to worry.
The specialist must also be informed of the presence additional symptoms– nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Of no small importance has the use of medications.
Based on the results of the medical history, the doctor will prescribe additional research. Most often, urine, blood and stool tests are required. Thanks to this, it will be possible to establish the causes of the violation.
If the stool remains white for a long time, and a person has other symptoms - nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin - a liver diagnosis will be required. To do this you need to do biochemical analysis blood, ultrasound examination and urine analysis.
White stool indicates various violations in the functioning of the digestive system and errors in the menu. If this symptom persists for a long time and diet adjustments do not help, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The color of a healthy person's stool can vary from light brown to dark brown. This color is caused by the presence in the feces of a product that is produced as a result of pigment metabolism processes.
The color or shade of stool may change due to:
However, a change in the color and shade of stool may also indicate the development of some pathological processes in the body and be one of the symptoms of the following diseases:
If the color of the stool has changed for no reason, that is, it was not preceded by taking certain medications and food products, you must immediately apply for medical care. After all, a timely diagnosis will help eliminate the problem early stages its development, which will lead to a successful and rapid cure of the disease. In such situations, it is recommended to contact specialists in the field:
Faeces that have a pale tint (white, gray) in most cases indicate that the person ate a large amount the day before:
If a person passed X-ray examination with barium sulfate, he will also experience discolored stool for a few days.
Taking certain medications meant to relieve diarrhea can also cause gray stools. The fact is that these drugs contain additives such as calcium and antacids.
If we consider the issue of the occurrence of pale stool from the other side, it becomes clear that the bile secreted gallbladder, for some reason does not enter the intestines. This may signal the development of certain diseases, including those associated with the closure of the bile ducts, namely:
Thus, we can conclude that if a person has white stool, it means that he has problems with the gallbladder. Perhaps he suffers from cholecystitis.
Red or red-brown color of stool should alert you. After all, it is a harbinger of the development of certain pathological processes in the body. Although in most cases, red feces indicate that you ate a fairly large amount the day before. following products power supply:
Also, red stool may indicate that a person took certain antibiotics, which contributed to the formation of ulcers in the intestines. And this already caused bleeding. After taking potassium tablets and some other medications, you may also experience blood in your stool.
If you notice the appearance of bloody stools, and the day before you did not eat red foods, this may indicate the presence of cracks in the anus, as well as hemorrhoids. These problems could arise for the following reasons:
Also, red stool may be the result of a disease such as intestinal inflammation. For this disease, except blood stool, characterized by the presence of diarrhea and severe cramps.
In addition to these problems, red feces can be a harbinger of some other diseases of the digestive system. So, if the stool is bright red, the problem is most likely in the lower intestines. It is very likely that there are malfunctions of the large intestine, for example, diverticulitis, when small areas of the rectum become inflamed due to the presence of infection. This condition is characterized by the presence of acute pain syndrome in the lower abdomen.
For stool that is dark red in color, the problem is most likely at the top. gastrointestinal tract, namely:
Bloody stool is sometimes the only thing symptomatic manifestation colon cancer, as well as the presence of polyps in it. These polyps can be either malignant or benign.
However, in these cases, along with bloody stools, the presence of:
Light yellow (golden) feces can be observed with the development of a pathology such as fermentative dyspepsia, in other words, a disturbance in the digestion of carbohydrates. This pathology may cause disruption of the digestive system due to insufficient digestion of connective tissue membranes of fibers plant origin. Thus, the carbohydrates present in plant foods become inaccessible to the enzymes of the pancreas and small intestine.
Often yellow stool in adults occurs due to poor digestion of food in the large intestine, as well as due to pancreatic insufficiency.
It is worth noting that children who are on breastfeeding, the color of stool can vary from pale yellow or even green-yellow to deep yellow with a golden tint.
The green color of stool may indicate the development of certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, about the course of pathological processes in the small intestine, as well as about the development of dysbiosis, which provokes the processes of fermentation and rotting of consumed food.
The stool may turn green due to certain antibiotics. This color is due to the fact that the intestines contain a large number of dead leukocytes, which accumulate in it against the background of emerging foci of inflammation.
Also green feces characteristic of a disease such as dysentery, which is intestinal infection. Along with such stool, a person usually experiences:
Also, feces may acquire a green tint due to the oxidation of iron, which is present in red blood cells. This occurs due to the development of complications of ulcers or malignant tumors gastrointestinal tract.
Another cause of green stool is diseases hematopoietic organs. The fact is that due to the breakdown of red blood cells, hemoglobin is converted into a large amount of bilirubin. As a result, this substance, when entering the intestines, gives the stool a greenish tint.
In children aged 6-8 one month old The color of the stool may also be green. This occurs due to the fact that unchanged bilirubin enters the child’s intestines. And if no other symptoms are observed ( elevated temperature, abdominal pain, blood in the stool), there is no need to worry.
In most cases, stool that is black in color produces a more shocking and even ominous impression on a person than bloody stool.
However, not everything is as sad as it might seem at first glance. After all, a common reason for stool turning black is:
But if you find yourself dark stool(almost black), which will have a viscous consistency (tarry), hurry to consult a competent doctor. After all, this may signal the presence of blood in the stool, which, in the process of entering from the esophagus into the lower parts of the gastrointestinal tract, undergoes changes - it becomes thick, viscous, and also acquires a dark color.
A common cause of black stool is overuse. alcoholic drinks, as well as taking certain medications and narcotic substances which contribute to the development of esophageal bleeding. Such medications include:
As for diseases that may have black stool as a symptom, these include:
In conclusion, it must be recalled once again that if changes in the color of stool are detected, it is recommended to immediately seek medical help. Qualified specialist will be able to deliver accurate diagnosis and prescribe competent treatment. Be healthy!
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Chair or feces is the content lower sections colon, which is the end product of digestion and is excreted from the body during bowel movements.
Individual stool characteristics can tell a lot about a person's health and help in making a diagnosis.
Below are interpretations of stool quality in normal and pathological conditions.
1. Number of bowel movements.
Norm: regularly, 1-2 times a day, but at least 1 time in 24-48 hours, without prolonged strong straining, painless. After defecation, the urge disappears, and a feeling of comfort and complete bowel movement occurs. External circumstances can increase or inhibit the frequency of the urge to defecate. This is a change in the usual environment, a forced position in bed, the need to use a bedpan, being in the company of other people, etc.
Changes: Lack of bowel movements for several days (constipation) or too frequent stool– up to 5 times or more (diarrhea).
2. Daily amount of feces
Normal: With a mixed diet daily amount feces fluctuates within a fairly wide range and averages 150-400 g. Thus, when eating predominantly plant foods, the amount of feces increases, while in animals that are poor in “ballast” substances, the amount of feces decreases.
Changes: Significant increase (more than 600 g) or decrease in the amount of feces.
Reasons for increasing the amount of feces (polyfecal):
Reasons for reducing the amount of feces:
3. Passing feces and floating in water.
Normal: feces should pass out easily, and in water it should sink gently to the bottom.
Changes:
4. Stool color
Normal: With a mixed diet, the stool is brown. Breastfed babies have golden-yellow or yellow stools.
Change in stool color:
5. Consistency (density) of feces.
Normal: shaped and soft. Normally, stool consists of 70% water, 30% from the remains of processed food, dead bacteria and desquamated intestinal cells.
Pathology: mushy, dense, liquid, semi-liquid, putty-like.
Change in stool consistency.
6. Shape of feces.
Standard: cylindrical, sausage-shaped. The stool should come out continuously, like toothpaste, and be about the length of a banana.
Changes: ribbon-shaped or in the form of dense balls (sheep feces) is observed with insufficient daily water intake, as well as spasms or narrowing of the large intestine.
7. The smell of feces.
Normal: fecal, unpleasant, but not harsh. It is due to the presence of substances in it that are formed as a result of the bacterial breakdown of proteins and volatiles. fatty acids. Depends on the composition of the food and the severity of the processes of fermentation and decay. Meat foods give off a pungent odor, while dairy foods give off a sour odor.
At poor digestion undigested food simply rots in the intestines or becomes food for pathogenic bacteria. Some bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide, which has a characteristic rotten odor.
Changes in stool odor.
8. Intestinal gases.
Normal: Gases are a natural by-product of the digestion and fermentation of food as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract. During and outside of bowel movements, 0.2-0.5 liters of gas are removed from the intestines of an adult per day.
The formation of gas in the intestines occurs as a result of the activity of microorganisms inhabiting the intestines. They decompose various nutrients, releasing methane, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide. The more undigested food enters the large intestine, the more actively the bacteria work and the more gases are formed.
An increase in the amount of gases is normal.
An increase in the amount of gases in pathology.
Difficulty in passing gases.
9. Stool acidity.
Normal: with a mixed diet, acidity is 6.8–7.6 pH and is due to the vital activity of the colon microflora.
Changes in stool acidity:
Normally, feces should not contain blood, mucus, pus, or undigested food residues.
The usual brown color to adult stool comes from bilirubin, which is integral part bile. But white feces are a consequence of a disruption in the process of bile flow from the gallbladder to the intestines.
There are a number of reasons that contribute to a decrease or complete cessation of the flow of bile into the intestines. These include:
The use of a number of medications leads to a decrease in the formation of bile in the liver. This:
Both the smell and consistency, as well as the color of an adult’s stool, often help determine the presence of some kind of disease. Normally, the color of stool is dark or light brown, it has a soft consistency, and there is no strong odor. There are, of course, individual differences, but each person, of course, has an idea of the appearance of their bowel movements and if any changes occur, attention should be paid to them.
Such changes are not always evidence of any disease; often, the color of stool depends on the foods eaten, for example, light-colored food noticeably lightens the stool and by eliminating them from the diet, the color can be normalized.
White color has many shades, and if there is a yellowish-gray color or containing gray inclusions, the color is accompanied by pungent odor, this may be a symptom of malabsorption syndrome or Crohn's disease. A grayish tint to stool may well be evidence of pancreatic disease. A light yellow tint may be a sign of problems with the pancreas caused by eating fatty foods.
Kidney stones and tumor-like formations of a malignant or benign nature that interfere with the normal process of bile secretion are another reason. It is worth noting that light-colored feces can be a sign not only of these diseases, but also of the presence of dysbacteriosis or rotavirus infection. Therefore, if light-colored stool appears in an adult, treatment should be started immediately.
Of course, not fitting in can alert anyone, but if this is a one-time phenomenon, which then does not recur, then the blame should be on the composition and color of the products that were consumed before. However, if there is a noticeable deterioration in your health and if the stool remains light-colored for a long time, you should consult a doctor. After this, it is usually carried out necessary examination and a stool test is taken.
If studies show the presence of pancreatitis or hepatitis, the patient is sent to a specialized department for therapeutic actions V in full. If a tumor or stones are detected, which lead to disruption of the outflow of bile, surgical intervention is often prescribed.
In any case of periodic or permanent white chair in an adult, treatment should be prescribed, and an important factor in successful therapy is timely and correct definition the true reason for the development of this kind of manifestations, for the timely start of the fight against the disease. Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. The main prevention of various types of pathologies of the digestive system is the strict implementation of all existing postulates healthy image life, which includes an adequate diet.
If excessively light-colored stools are accompanied by symptoms such as dark urine, bloating, chills, nausea and vomiting, or fever, you should immediately seek medical help. Self-diagnosis and self-medication in such cases is unacceptable.
