Why does stool take on a greenish tint? Dark green stool in adults and children: possible causes

In a healthy adult, the color of stool is brown, with variations in shades. The color is due to the presence of stercoblin pigment; depending on its concentration, the color can be darker or lighter.

This indicator is greatly influenced by diet, as well as taking certain medications, especially those that contain iron. Unnatural greenish-black, red, gray and other shades are signs of the presence of ulcers, pancreatitis, hepatitis and other diseases.

If you detect dark stool, you need to carefully analyze your diet over the past few days. Black stool resulting from the use of medications and foods does not cause any harm to health and does not require treatment.

Within a few days, the color of the stool should normalize, provided that provoking foods are excluded from the diet. In this article we will determine whether black feces are a sign of something dangerous in an adult or not.

Why black stool occurs: dangerous reasons

What does it mean? Black stool is a characteristic symptom of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Hemoglobin is exposed to acids and bacteria, which turns the stool black. If you have a diagnosed gastrointestinal disease or there are no other reasons for your stool turning black, call an ambulance immediately.

What causes black stool in adults?

In a healthy person, black feces may appear due to the fact that he has eaten large quantities of foods that contain a coloring fat-soluble substance. These include:

• blood sausage;
• liver;
• Red beetroot;
• meat products containing an admixture of animal blood;
• tomatoes;
• black currant;
• prunes.

In adults, this phenomenon can also be observed after consuming:

• chokeberry;
• blueberries;
• red grapes;
• grenade;
• red wine with added dyes.

Effect of medications

You should not think that in this case the feces must contain blood: in the digestive tract, blood is processed by enzymes and bacteria along with food, coagulates and changes color from red to black.

Typically, this cause of black stool is not accompanied by this symptom alone. ABOUT internal problems may also indicate one of the accompanying conditions of a person:

• temperature;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• pale skin;
• cold profuse sweat;
• enlarged and painful liver;
• stomach pain.

Also, internal bleeding may be indicated by the detection of occult blood during a stool test. If any of these symptoms occur in combination with the appearance of black stools, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Black stool during pregnancy, why?

As for pregnant women, all multivitamin complexes for pregnant women contain iron, which colors the stool. This is considered normal and does not require additional measures.

At the same time, doctors assure that this is how excess iron leaves the body, so you should not stop taking vitamins. The body simply absorbs the amount that mother and child need, and sends the excess to waste. In the following article you will learn why incontinence occurs. Therefore, if no other symptoms are observed, then there is no need to worry, and in order to calm yourself down, you just need to stop taking vitamins for a couple of days and make sure that your stool returns to normal.

It’s another matter if black feces during pregnancy are not associated with vitamins. In this case, you need to urgently consult a doctor to get all the necessary tests.

What to do with such a problem?

Of course, before starting any therapeutic measures, you should find out why the stool turned black.

If the dark color of the stool is associated with the nature of the diet or taking medications, then there is no need for therapeutic measures. Also, you should not stop treatment with medications and exclude coloring products, because a change in stool color in this situation does not lead to any negative effect on the body.

Black stool itself is not dangerous. But it can signal serious problems in the body, even conditions that can lead to death in the absence of timely help.

On the other hand, everything is often explained by the banal consumption of certain foods, which color the feces in an unusual color. In any case, you shouldn’t “disdain” studying the state of your own stool, and even more so you shouldn’t ignore its changes.

Nature is wise - she has provided a whole system of signals and markers that should make a person think about whether everything is okay with him.

What does black-green stool mean?

Black-green feces always indicate trouble in the human body. Thus, liquid black-green stool (diarrhea) most often indicates an intestinal infection or other infectious disease. Very often, dysentery begins with black-green diarrhea.

Such black-green diarrhea at the very beginning of the development of the disease may not be combined with a rise in temperature, abdominal pain, nausea and other symptoms of infection. But gradually, the listed clinical symptoms of infection will join the liquid stool, colored black and green.

Therefore, as soon as a person notices the discharge of black-green liquid stool, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help and not wait for the temperature to appear, since the condition will worsen in the future, and the infectious disease will still require treatment.

What do black dots in stool mean?

Black dots in stool look like inclusions, grains, thin threads, grains or grains of sand. All these options are usually called black dots. Such clear black inclusions in stool are almost always partially digested or completely undigested solid particles of food or medications.

So, kiwi seeds, raspberries, currants, pieces of grape seeds, particles of seed husks, poppy seeds, etc. can appear as black dots in feces.

The following foods most often lead to the appearance of black spots in the stool of children and adults:

• persimmon;
• banana;
• apple;
• kiwi.

For example, when eating bananas, small black threads that look like worms may appear in the stool; this is especially common in children.

Green stool in an adult can be a sign of poor nutrition, infectious diseases, or taking a number of medications.

If the color of the feces changes once, most likely the cause is the use of provoking foods. When a change in shade is observed for a long period, accompanied by diarrhea, mucus or the release of drops of blood during bowel movements, you should consult a specialist to make an accurate diagnosis.

The main factors that provoke changes in the color of stool

The norm is to have a bowel movement every 1-2 days, and the color of the feces should be brown. What could cause a slight deviation from accepted standards?

There are a number of physiological and pathological factors:

• Eating food that affects various processes in the body or contains a large amount of coloring substances.

• Imbalance of the body's bacterial environment, infectious disease, poisoning, allergic reactions, development of pathologies of internal organs, in particular those related to the digestive tract.
• Taking certain medications.

Changes you shouldn't worry about

Fans of sweets, such as marmalade, jellies and other foods high in dyes, may periodically notice greenish stools.

In addition, other foods affect the color of stool:

In this case, a review of the diet will help normalize the situation. If, several days after eliminating trigger foods, the color of the feces has not changed, then other causes need to be considered.

Change in stool color when taking medications

Feces may turn green when consumed:

• Iodine preparations.
• Laxatives, in particular herbal medicines.
• Sorbitol.
• Glucose.
• Chlorophyll.
• Vitamin complexes.
• Iron-containing preparations.
• Medicines based on seaweed.

Usually, a possible change in the color of feces is mentioned in the annotation for the medicine. If such drugs are discontinued, within 5 days the stool acquires a characteristic dark brown tint. If you take a radiopaque substance, the stool may become gray, but after 2-3 days the condition will normalize on its own.

Antibiotics, when used for a long time, disrupt the intestinal microflora, causing dysbacteriosis, which entails a change in the normal color of stool to green.

Consequence of the development of a pathological environment

Feces in an adult can acquire a peculiar shade when gastrointestinal diseases appear.

Most often diagnosed:

• Dysbacteriosis. Due to an imbalance of intestinal microorganisms, the process of food digestion is disrupted, food leftovers rot, which may be accompanied by a disturbance in the frequency and color of stool.
• Dysentery. The condition is characterized by acute abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The patient becomes weak and the temperature rises sharply.
• Salmonellosis. Once in the body, an intestinal infection causes a sharp rise in temperature, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
• Rotavirus infection. The stool has a liquid consistency mixed with mucus and an unpleasant odor. The patient exhibits signs of intoxication, weakness and a sharp rise in temperature.
• Enteritis. The inflammatory process in the intestines is manifested by diarrhea, nausea, pain in the abdominal area, and weakness.
• Tumors of various etiologies, internal bleeding or complications of an ulcer. The green color occurs due to the oxidation of iron in red blood cells.
• Diseases of the circulatory system. When decaying red blood cells begin to produce insufficient amounts of bilirubin from hemoglobin, there is not enough pigment to color the feces, and they are excreted in a permanent green color. Liver problems, such as hepatitis, also lead to the same consequences.

With infectious lesions of the intestines, a bright green tint to the stool, a rise in temperature, weakness and an admixture of mucus in the stool are observed. In case of poisoning, these symptoms include vomiting and severe abdominal pain..

Allergies to foods can be manifested by a change in the color of the stool, along with the presence of mucus and undigested food debris. If you are gluten intolerant, you will experience runny stool with an unpleasant odor. And lactose indigestion is characterized by the onset of diarrhea with green stool immediately after consuming dairy products.

In babies under 6 months of age, green stool may indicate increased bilirubin. At this age, the condition can normalize on its own.

Often a change in shade is associated with a transition to a different mixture. This occurs due to the immaturity of the digestive system. The food of the breastfeeding mother also plays a role in many respects, since all substances from the products penetrate into the milk.

What color of stool indicates disease of the internal organs?

Many people do not know what diseases cause the color of feces to change. It should be noted that these are mainly pathologies of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, stomach and intestines.

• Green feces may be a consequence of intestinal inflammation or the development of a tumor of this organ, intoxication of the body, or celiac disease.
• Red-brown indicates the presence of minor internal bleeding in the lower digestive tract. Observations show that this means damage to the intestinal walls. When feces move through the intestines, the mucous membranes are injured, blood is released through small cracks and enters the feces.
• Black may indicate bleeding in organs located in the upper digestive system.
• Yellow-green indicates carbohydrate fermentation. This condition occurs with diseases of the pancreas, for example, diabetes.
• Gray-green or white indicates a lack of bile entering the intestines. Pathology occurs when there is liver disease and when the gallbladder has stones or a tumor that blocks the excretory ducts.

Symptoms associated with green stool

If the color change occurs due to taking medications or triggering foods, then no other signs of the disease occur. When the problem is caused by the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms, the development of ailments of internal organs, hidden bleeding, the following symptoms occur simultaneously with green feces:

• Abdominal pain. Usually its location indicates the location of the diseased organ.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Unpleasant smell of stool.
• The presence of mucus or.
• Fever.
• General deterioration in health: headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue.

Green stool in pregnant women

Expectant mothers try to monitor their diet, so they eat large amounts of plant foods. Spinach and broccoli contain chlorophyll, which can cause stool to change color.

In addition, to prevent anemia and bone destruction during pregnancy, vitamin complexes rich in iron and calcium are prescribed. Also, black feces can be a consequence of taking activated carbon during gas formation.

The color of feces, if it changes temporarily, does not affect the baby’s condition. But if, after discontinuation of provoking foods and medications, the condition does not change, this may indicate the presence of various diseases, and a tar-black hue may indicate internal bleeding.

Dysbacteriosis is a frequent companion of pregnant women. In this case, diarrhea begins and the stool is green.

When this diagnosis is made, the doctor prescribes Smecta or Imodium to remove toxins. It is recommended to include whole grain cereals, fermented milk products, and green tea in your diet.

In order to prevent serious complications during the period of bearing a baby, in case of any disturbances or changes in the color and consistency of the stool, you should consult a doctor.

First aid at home

If the color of stool changes, you should reconsider your diet, excluding sweets and foods rich in chlorophyll and containing dyes from the menu.

If you have diarrhea, you must take Smecta or Regidron. This will normalize water and electrolyte balance and avoid dehydration.

Atoxyl is an excellent sorbent that is used to remove toxins, especially during vomiting. But the drug should be taken after gastric lavage.

In cases of severe dysbiosis, it is useful to take probiotics. If improvements are not observed within several days or the condition is accompanied by a rise in temperature, bloody stools, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, you should consult a doctor.

After conducting a series of tests, the specialist will make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. These can be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial drugs, antispasmodics, vitamin complexes. In case of internal bleeding, urgent hospitalization followed by surgical intervention is indicated.

Tests to determine the cause of change in stool color

To make a correct diagnosis when green feces appear when they are not associated with food intake, you should undergo a series of examinations:

• General blood test with determination of the leukocyte component.
• Analysis of urine.
• Blood test for biochemistry and electrolytes.
• Analysis of stool for bacterial environment.
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.

If there are appropriate indications, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, CT or MRI of the abdominal cavity may be prescribed.

The green color of feces, like other uncharacteristic shades, can be the result of a number of pathologies. To determine the cause and exclude the presence of the disease, you should promptly consult a doctor and do the necessary tests. Self-medication can worsen the situation, lead to dehydration and damage to internal organs.

The color of a healthy person's stool can range 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.

Causes of changes in stool color

The color or shade of stool may change due to:

• taking certain medications, for example, hematogen, bismuth salts, calomel. In such cases, the stool may be black or green;
• consumed certain foods. For example, after eating asparagus, lettuce and sorrel, the feces acquire a greenish tint. And after eating black currants, cherries and blueberries, it can turn black;
• the predominance of certain nutrients in products. For example, when consuming a large amount of milk, the color of stool may become golden-yellow, when consuming meat and sausage products - black-brown, and when consuming plant foods - light brown.

However, a change in the color and shade of feces may also indicate the development of certain pathological processes in the body and be one of the symptoms of the following diseases:

• cirrhosis of the liver;
• stomach ulcer;
• development of malignant and benign neoplasms;
• hepatitis;
• gastric erosion;
• bleeding from hemorrhoids:
• bleeding from the rectum.

If the color of stool changes for no reason, that is, it was not preceded by taking certain medications and foods, you should immediately seek medical help. After all, a timely diagnosis will help eliminate the problem in the early stages of 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:

• hepatology;
• gastroenterology;
• oncology.

Light-colored stool

Faeces that have a pale tint (white, gray) in most cases indicate that the person ate a large amount the day before:

• potatoes
• tapioca;
• rice

If a person has had a barium sulfate x-ray, they will also experience discolored stool for several 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 by the gallbladder does not enter the intestines for some reason. This may signal the development of certain diseases, including those associated with the closure of the bile ducts, namely:

• pancreatitis;
• tumors of the bile ducts;
• hepatitis A;
• stones in the gall bladder and bile ducts;
• cancer or cirrhosis of the liver.

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 stool

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 of the following foods the day before:

• beets;
• red gelatin;
• tomatoes;
• fruit punches.

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 did not eat red foods the day before, this may indicate the presence of fissures in the anus, as well as hemorrhoids. These problems could arise for the following reasons:

• after childbirth;
• after sexual intercourse;
• presence of foreign objects in the rectum;
• with frequent constipation.

Also, red stool can be a consequence of a disease such as intestinal inflammation. This disease, in addition to bloody stool, is characterized by the presence of diarrhea and severe cramps.

In addition to the problems listed above, 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 in the lower abdomen.

As for stool that is dark red in color, the problem is most likely located in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, namely:

• in the small intestine;
• in the stomach;
• in the esophagus.

Bloody stool is sometimes the only symptomatic manifestation of colon cancer, as well as the presence of polyps. These polyps can be either malignant or benign.

However, in these cases, along with bloody stools, the presence of:

• attacks of nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• spasms;
• general weakness;
• significant weight loss.

Yellow stool

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 disturbances in the functioning of the digestive organs in terms of insufficient digestion of the connective tissue membranes of plant fibers. 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 in children who are breastfed, the color of stool can vary from pale yellow or even green-yellow to rich yellow with a golden tint.

Green stool

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.

Green feces are also characteristic of a disease such as dysentery, which is an intestinal infection. Along with such stool, a person usually experiences:

• significant increase in body temperature:
• abdominal pain;
• attacks of nausea and profuse vomiting;
• aches and weakness throughout the body.

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 of the gastrointestinal tract.

Another cause of green stool is diseases of the 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 months, 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 (fever, abdominal pain, blood in the stool), there is no need to worry.

Dark-colored stool

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:

• taking activated carbon;
• taking various nutritional supplements that contain iron;
• taking medications that contain bismuth;
• consumption of black licorice;
• eating blueberries.

But if you find dark stool (almost black), which will have a viscous consistency (tarry), rush 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 alcohol abuse, as well as taking certain medications and drugs that contribute to the development of esophageal bleeding. Such medications include:

• ibuprofen:
• acetaminophen;
• aspirin;
• other non-steroidal drugs, the action of which is aimed at relieving inflammatory processes.

As for diseases that may have black stool as a symptom, these include:

• gastritis;
• colon cancer;
• duodenal ulcer (in the small intestine area);
• stomach ulcer;
• tumor neoplasms in the upper gastrointestinal tract;
• inflammation of the inner walls of the stomach.

In conclusion, it is necessary to recall once again that if changes in the color of stool are detected, it is recommended to immediately seek medical help. A qualified specialist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe competent treatment. Be healthy!

The color and consistency of stool can say a lot about a person's health. This is one of the body’s original litmus tests, letting you know about problems. If you pay close attention to your condition and observe changes in excrement, you can recognize hidden processes in time.

The causes of green stool are divided into physiological and pathological.

Normally, human feces are moderately soft, have a uniform consistency and have a color ranging from light yellow to dark brown. However, there are natural factors that influence its coloration in a greenish tint, these include:

Physiological causes do not have any additional symptoms, the person feels well. However, if nausea, weakness or diarrhea appear, this is already a sign of the disease.

Pathological causes

Serious illnesses or disorders in the body always manifest themselves with a number of pronounced symptoms. In addition to green stool, the following signs may be observed:

Important! If several symptoms appear at the same time, you should consult a doctor. Self-treatment with simple activated carbon may not help if the disease is serious.

Diseases that cause green stool

Salmonellosis. A type of bacterial infection caused by Salmonella. Infection occurs through unboiled water and unheated products: animal meat, fish, milk, eggs. There are known cases of infection directly from animals. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as:

A chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, in which the mucous membrane is affected and granulomas (nodular formations) appear on it. Factors that provoke the development of pathology: weakened immunity, previous infection, stress, allergies. Symptoms do not appear immediately, but gradually accumulate, these include:

general weakness;

significant weight loss;

elevated temperature;

pain in joints and muscles;

conjunctivitis.

In the acute course of the disease, the following symptoms occur:

An infection transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets or household contact. Another name for the disease is intestinal flu, since the virus primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. Characteristic symptoms:

weakness;

cramping pain in the abdominal area;

temperature increase;

frequent stools of a greenish tint mixed with blood;

tachycardia;

pallor;

dizziness.

increased gas formation;

• diarrhea with foamy feces from light yellow to yellow-green in color with a characteristic sour odor.

If greenish loose stools were observed once, it may be a case of ordinary food poisoning. In this case, after complete cleansing of the intestines from feces and toxins, relief occurs, which is not typical for other diseases.

Treatment

With frequent diarrhea, accompanied by green feces, as well as with infections, of course, the help of specialists is necessary.

To begin with, based on external symptoms, the doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis, and depending on it, the patient is placed either in the infectious diseases department or, if his condition is critical, in the intensive care ward. In some cases, treatment is possible at home, for example, if the cause is dysbiosis or lactose intolerance.

To make a clear diagnosis, the following measures are prescribed:

After research, it becomes clear what kind of disease contributes to the release of green stool.

Depending on the type of pathology, certain measures may be prescribed.

In case of intestinal bleeding, emergency surgery is prescribed.

Important to remember! Folk remedies are not suitable for use in case of green stools. Due to the fact that the cause of the painful condition is initially unknown, one can only do harm with certain decoctions or tinctures.

Prevention

To prevent the appearance of liquid green feces, you must follow simple rules:

undergo an examination of the body at least once a year in order to promptly detect the presence of hidden pathologies;



eat right: exclude fast food, alcohol and an abundance of fatty, fried foods;



Proper nutrition is the key to health

take medications only as prescribed by a doctor;



exercise moderate physical activity;



Maintain hygiene: wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after visiting public places.

The health of every person is in his hands. The percentage of hereditary severe pathologies is extremely small, and if you maintain the condition of your intestines in a normal manner, then it will work like clockwork, and the problem of diarrhea and green feces is unlikely to arise.

Video - What does the color of the stool mean?

An adult may have green stool for various reasons. Often, stool changes color under the influence of various diseases or dysfunctions of internal organs and systems. But often feces change their color and consistency due to improper diet. To establish the exact cause of the pathological condition, it is necessary to conduct a diagnostic examination.

The composition of feces includes dying cells of the intestinal mucosa, various bacteria, remains of bile, liquid and undigested food. During the process of defecation, feces leave the human body, thereby ridding it of waste. As noted earlier, the color and consistency of stool may change depending on various factors and indicate the presence of serious pathologies.

The following factors may influence an increase in the amount of feces:

• frequent constipation;
• development of cholecystitis or chronic pancreatitis;
• inflammation of the intestines, which is often accompanied by disruption of digestive processes;
• an anatomical feature of the intestine, due to which the food mass moves through it too quickly;
• excessive amounts of fiber in the daily diet.

The density of stool and the degree of thickness may also vary depending on several factors:

• with intestinal spasms or constipation, feces are usually hard;
• liver dysfunction is often accompanied by the appearance of clayey stools;
• increased intestinal peristalsis leads to the appearance of mushy stools. This symptom also manifests itself with increased intestinal secretion;
• disturbances in the functioning of the pancreas are often accompanied by ointment-like feces;
• loose stools usually indicate diarrhea or poor absorption in the small intestine;
• excrement may also have a foamy consistency, which experts often associate with the development of fermentation processes in the intestinal cavity.

Note! The stool has an unpleasant odor caused by pathological processes in the body. If the functioning of the intestines is somehow disrupted, then under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms, insufficiently digested food rots or begins to ferment, which is accompanied by the release of hydrogen sulfide.

In the absence of health problems, feces are brown. This is due to the presence of breakdown products of hemoglobin and bilins (as bile pigments are called in medicine). Shades of brown may change when certain foods are consumed, but such color changes do not always indicate serious illness. Minor deviations are not a cause for concern, but if the feces turn green, then a doctor's help is required.

The main reasons for changes in stool color

If a person notices that his stool has an unusual green tint, especially if the stool contains mucus, then it is necessary to conduct an examination, since this phenomenon often occurs with gastrointestinal disorders. All causal factors can be divided into physiological and pathological. The first ones are more related to the patient’s life activity, and the pathological ones are more related to the course of concomitant diseases, one of the symptoms of which is a change in color. Let's look at each group separately.

Physiological factors

In such cases, the change in color of stool is influenced by certain foods that were previously eaten. Despite the fact that such changes do not threaten health, every person should still know which foods can provoke such deviations. Foods containing food colorings (such as iron) may cause green stools.

Green stool may also appear after taking certain medications and dietary supplements (dietary supplements). The most common ones include:

• pharmaceutical preparations containing seaweed;
• vitamin complexes;
• sorbitol and glucose;
• drugs containing iodine;
• various herbal preparations, for example, laxative teas.

In such cases, there is no need to fear for your health, since the use of the above medications does not lead to a worsening of the condition.

Pathological factors

Often the appearance of green feces in adults is associated with the development of certain diseases. If, along with green stool, a person’s body temperature rises, pain in the abdominal area or diarrhea occurs, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. Only a qualified gastroenterologist, having carried out the necessary procedures, will be able to make an accurate diagnosis. Below are the main pathologies that may be accompanied by green stool.

Table. List of diseases that cause stool color to change.

On a note! If a change in the color of stool occurs quite often, but medications or food have nothing to do with it, then you need to urgently seek help from a specialist. The doctor will conduct all the necessary studies and make an accurate diagnosis. If the cause is a disease, the patient will be prescribed an appropriate therapeutic course.

When to see a doctor

If you are faced with a phenomenon such as a change in the color of stool, then you should consult a doctor in any case, even if there are no other symptoms. Sometimes it is better to be extra careful than to ignore a possible disease. Urgent medical attention is required in cases where green stools smell rotten or contain blood. As noted earlier, the stool of a healthy person should not be smelly. In such cases, the doctor will conduct a laboratory analysis of stool, thanks to which he will be able to study in detail all the components of the patient’s stool. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe additional diagnostic procedures.

If symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, diarrhea and, of course, green stool appear, you should immediately go to the clinic, since various pathogenic microorganisms, including salmonella, can cause such symptoms.

If the appearance of green stool is combined with other alarming symptoms, consult a doctor immediately

Diagnostic features

When green stool appears, the doctor usually prescribes the following diagnostic procedures:

As an addition, the doctor may prescribe other laboratory tests, including blood and urine tests. Based on the results obtained, an accurate diagnosis is made.

How to treat

The course of therapy will directly depend on the causative factor that provoked the appearance of green stool, and the treatment regimen should be selected on an individual basis. For example, if food products have affected the change in the color of stool, then the patient needs to reconsider his diet and, if necessary, limit or completely eliminate certain foods from it. These foods include red meat, cereals, cucumbers, and greens. It is recommended to avoid products containing food dyes. To cleanse the body of harmful substances, doctors prescribe Regidron, Smecta, Atoxil and other drugs.

If the cause of the change in stool color is infectious diseases, then self-medication is strictly not recommended. After determining the severity of the pathology, the doctor prescribes antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. Often, a change in stool color is accompanied by severe diarrhea, which increases the likelihood of dehydration (along with feces, beneficial salts and minerals are washed out of the body, which significantly worsens the patient’s condition). To restore losses, experts recommend drinking a lot of liquid with added sugar and salt (for 1 liter of water - 1 teaspoon of salt and sugar).

Also, the appearance of green stool may be accompanied by bouts of vomiting, which indicates food poisoning in the body. In this case, it is necessary to rinse the stomach, freeing it of food. To rinse, the patient must drink a large amount of warm boiled water. It is necessary to drink until the urge to vomit appears (to speed up the cleansing of the stomach, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate).

Video - Causes of green stool in adults