Types of feces. What does the color of stool mean? Reasons for changes in the color of stool in an adult. About constipation, diarrhea, fecal incontinence

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

Color or shade feces may change due to:

• taking some medicines, for example, hematogen, bismuth salts, calomel. In such cases, the stool may be black or green color;
• 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;
• predominance in the products of certain nutrients. For example, when using large quantity milk, the color of stool may become golden yellow when eating meat and sausages- black-brown, and when eating plant foods - light brown.

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:

• 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 the stool has changed for no reason, that is, this 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:

• 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 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 closure 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 feces white, which means he has problems with his 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. digestive system organs. 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.

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

• V 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 fibers plant origin. Thus, the carbohydrates present in plant foods become inaccessible to the enzymes of the pancreas and small intestine.

Often yellow feces in an adult 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 hue.

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 ( elevated temperature, 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 the abuse of alcoholic beverages, as well as taking certain medications and narcotic substances which 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;
• ulcer duodenum(in the area of ​​the small intestine);
• 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 volume of feces is the very first indicator, the assessment of which does not require either special equipment or qualified laboratories, which allows you to independently detect some problems of the gastrointestinal tract.

The normal amount of feces is 60-250 grams per day, but you should pay attention to changes in the daily diet.

However, isolated episodes of non-compliance with the norm are not at all an indicator of all kinds of gastroenterological problems. Changes in the amount of feces should be observed over time, focusing on 3-4 episodes per week. If you notice these symptoms, you should first pay attention to your diet and food preferences. So, if a person prefers easily digestible protein foods, which include eggs, meat and legumes, then the amount of feces will be much smaller. Rich in fiber, plant foods, on the contrary, will lead to an increase in the volume of feces and episodes of bowel movements. The listed changes in the amount of feces are physiological and appear to a greater or lesser extent in each person. However, do not forget that it is necessary to inform your doctor about your preferences in order to avoid misdiagnosis.

Why does the amount of stool change?

A completely different situation arises when changes in the amount of feces occur quite often, approximately 3-4 days in a row over a period of time. last week. In this case, it is necessary to examine the gastrointestinal tract to confirm or exclude various diseases, such as constipation or diarrhea, as well as the treatment of these symptom complexes.

Constipation, like polyfecal matter, can be acute or chronic, so it is important to indicate how long ago the person experienced these symptoms. If changes in the amount of stool have been observed over the past week, and such symptoms have not previously bothered you, then we can talk about an acute condition, but if over the past 3 months there has been an unstable nature of the volume of stool, then most likely the condition has acquired chronic course which requires dietary and lifestyle modifications.

It is important to pay attention to phenomena such as alternation of constipation and diarrhea, because this can be a symptom of severe intestinal pathologies, ranging from dysbiosis to nonspecific ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

From the stomach, food masses enter the duodenum, where they are mixed with bile produced by the liver and digestive enzymes of the pancreas. During the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, a suspension is formed that moves through the small intestine. Absorption occurs in the small intestine nutrients into the blood, and the remaining liquid waste enters the colon. In the large intestine, residual water is absorbed and feces are formed, which are excreted into the environment through distal section digestive tract - rectum.

Normal stool consists of water, remains of animal food, undigested plant fibers, bacteria (up to 1/3 of the dry weight of feces), bile, dead cells of the mucous membrane lining digestive tract. The composition, consistency, quantity and color of feces depend on many factors and are one of the indicators of the health of the body in general and the gastrointestinal tract in particular.

Normal stool color

Stools are usually brown in color, and significant changes in color may be a cause of health concern. The color of stool is determined by the presence of bilirubin (a breakdown product of hemoglobin) and other bile pigments. Changes in the amount of bilirubin in the bile can change the color of the stool from light yellow to dark brown.

In most cases, changes in the color of stool are associated with dietary habits and are not a symptom of any health abnormalities. However, in some cases, for example, if the color of the stool has changed radically, and these changes persist for long term, this may be important diagnostic sign dangerous diseases and severe life-threatening conditions.

When should a change in color alert you?

A cause for concern should be those cases when a change in stool color is accompanied by other symptoms:

• Green and foul-smelling stools accompanied by diarrhea, abdominal pain, high fever, nausea and vomiting - possible symptoms some infectious diseases, for example, salmonellosis.
• Discolored feces are accompanied by pain in the abdomen, back, yellowness of the sclera and skin, darkening of the urine - signs of problems with the liver and biliary tract.
• Stool staining black is accompanied by abdominal pain, weakness, pale skin, increased heart rate, cold sweat - symptoms of bleeding in the stomach or duodenum.
• Red stool is accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting - these may be signs of intestinal bleeding.

Green stool is a sign of what?

As already mentioned, the brown color of stool is due to the presence of bilirubin in it. Bilirubin enters the lumen of the duodenum with bile, the color of which, depending on the concentration of this substance, can vary from greenish-yellow to dark brown. Passing through the intestines chemical composition bile changes and it darkens. If the movement of feces through the intestinal lumen becomes too fast, the bile retains its original color and the stool becomes green. This can happen with diarrhea caused by food poisoning, salmonellosis, rotavirus infection, giardiasis, Crohn's disease, autoimmune and endocrine diseases.

Green stool may occur if you eat a lot of green vegetables.

Green feces in an adult may be due to intestinal dysbiosis. In this case, a detailed scatological examination for dysbiosis will help establish the diagnosis.

Green stools, accompanied by cutting pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, and an admixture of mucus and pus in the stool are signs of acute infectious enterocolitis. Treatment in this case is prescribed by an infectious disease doctor based on the results bacteriological research feces and establishing the sensitivity of pathogenic microflora to a particular group antibacterial drugs. In addition to antibacterial treatment, enterocolitis requires replenishment of fluid losses, including parenteral administration of electrolyte solutions.

Green stool may also have a completely normal explanation that is not related to illness, for example, after eating a large amount of green leafy vegetables (especially spinach), foods with appropriate food colorings, or some dietary supplements. Sometimes a change in color is provoked by taking iron supplements, but most often the stool in this case does not turn green, but turns black.

Green stool in children can be caused by the same diseases as in adults. In newborns in the first days of life, green stool is a normal variant called meconium.

What does black stool mean?

Feces can turn black in a completely healthy person in the following cases:

• When eating blueberries, prunes, pomegranates, black currants, bird cherry, red wine, red beets.
• After eating dishes and products based on or containing blood, for example, rare meat, blood sausage, etc.
• While taking iron supplements for treatment iron deficiency anemia, bismuth preparations, multivitamins, activated carbon.

In these cases, the help of doctors is not required, and the color of the stool returns to normal within a few days after changing the menu and stopping treatment.

Black stool is a symptom of dangerous bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract

The sudden and inexplicable appearance of black stool (melena) is one of the serious symptoms of internal bleeding into the cavity of the stomach or duodenum. The black color is due to the interaction of blood hemoglobin with hydrochloric acid gastric juice, resulting in the formation of black hemin. may be caused by a peptic ulcer, tumor, injury, bleeding disorder, varicose veins veins of the esophagus for liver diseases, infectious processes and other reasons.

If the appearance of melena is accompanied by weakness, cold sweat, increased breathing and pulse, pale skin, then you should immediately call ambulance, since massive blood loss poses a serious threat to life.

Stool may turn black when blood is ingested during severe nosebleeds, after tooth extraction, or after oral trauma.

Black feces during pregnancy can be a consequence of all of the above conditions, but most often it is caused by a woman taking multivitamins and supplements containing iron.

Red stool – is it a reason to worry?

Red stool appears when there is bleeding into the intestinal cavity.

There is no reason to worry if the day before you ate beetroot dishes or consumed drinks and confectionery products colored with red food coloring.

Among pathological conditions, most common cause Red stool indicates bleeding from hemorrhoids. More dangerous reasons bleeding into the intestinal cavity and redness of the stool - this is Crohn's disease, nonspecific, intestinal diverticulosis, malignant tumors, arteriovenous malformations.

Severe bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract can also cause red stool. In this case, hemoglobin does not have time to react with hydrochloric acid, so the blood in the stool does not turn black, but remains red.

Is it dangerous when stool is white?

White feces are one of the characteristic symptoms diseases of the liver and biliary tract. Discoloration of the stool is explained by the lack of bilirubin in it, which ceases to be supplied with bile as a result of impaired liver function or obstruction of the bile ducts. But there is a lot of it in the blood, and this can be seen with the naked eye, since it turns yellow skin and eyes - this condition is called jaundice. In addition, bilirubin begins to be excreted intensively by the kidneys, as a result the urine becomes dark, as doctors say, the color of beer. Undoubtedly this dangerous condition, requiring immediate specialist intervention and proper treatment.

Yellow or white stool is a sign of liver and pancreas disease

Light and loose stool With unpleasant smell– a sign of impaired pancreatic function. The deficiency or absence of a number of enzymes makes it impossible to digest fats, resulting in light-colored stools. Lightening of stool after ingestion fatty foods may indicate chronic celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, gallbladder cancer, compression of the biliary tract or blockage when cholelithiasis. The consequences of these diseases can be very serious, so you should not delay visiting a doctor.

White feces can also appear normally, for example, with errors in nutrition, in particular, with the abuse of fatty foods: lard, butter, full-fat sour cream, etc.

Another variant of the norm is stool discoloration while taking certain medications: antibiotics, antifungals, gout medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives. A few days after completing the course of treatment with such drugs, the color of the stool returns to normal. To avoid unnecessary worries, before taking medications, you should carefully read the instructions for the drug, especially the section on side effects and symptoms of overdose.

What if the stool turns yellow?

Yellow stool is one of the variants of light-colored stool, so the reasons for its appearance may be the same: biliary tract, pancreatic disease, conditions accompanied by blockage or compression of the bile ducts, excessive consumption of fatty foods, treatment with certain medications.

What should you do if your stool color changes?

Stool color	Possible reasons	Recommendations
Black	Bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Black	While taking medications containing iron or bismuth.	If you are sure that you are taking these medicines, then there is no reason to worry.
Maroon	Massive gastrointestinal bleeding.	Seek qualified medical help immediately!
Red	The presence of beets or foods with dyes in the diet.	There is no reason to worry if you are sure that you have eaten beets or colored foods.
Red	, anal fissures.	You should not ignore it, seek advice from a specialist!
Red	Bleeding caused by intestinal diverticula or infection.	Be sure to consult your doctor!
Red	Bleeding caused by an intestinal tumor.	Careful diagnosis and timely treatment are necessary. Be sure to consult a doctor!
Green	Against the background of taking herbal dietary supplements and eating a large amount of green vegetables.	Variant of the norm.
Green	Diarrhea caused by dysbacteriosis.	It is necessary to diagnose dysbiosis and prescribe adequate treatment in order to restore normal intestinal microflora. Consult a doctor!
Green (white or yellow)	Diarrhea caused by enterocolitis	Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heat– You must call an ambulance immediately!
Green (white or yellow)	Diseases of the liver and biliary tract.	Consult a doctor if, in addition to light-colored stools, there is weakness, pain and heaviness in the right hypochondrium, dark urine, yellow skin and sclera! Some types of hepatitis are very contagious!
Green (white or yellow)	Diseases of the pancreas.	Liquid, light-colored and foul-smelling stool after eating fatty foods is a sufficient reason to consult a doctor. Without treatment it can get worse!
Green (white or yellow)	Celiac disease, cystic fibrosis.
Green (white or yellow)	Giardia	Diagnosis and treatment are necessary, consult a doctor!
Green (white or yellow)	Abuse of fatty foods in a healthy person.	It is necessary to adjust your diet, balancing proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

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For an adult, normal stool is considered without prolonged strong straining once every 1-2 days or 2 times a day. After the process of defecation, there is a feeling of comfort and complete emptying of the intestines, and the urge completely disappears. Some external circumstances - bed rest, a change in the usual environment, the need to use a vessel, being in the company of strangers - can slow down or increase the frequency of this process.

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A deviation from the norm is the absence of bowel movements for 3 days (constipation) or very frequent stool– up to 5 times a day or more (diarrhea).

Daily amount of feces

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With a mixed diet, the daily amount of feces can vary widely. Average is about 150-400 g. Note that when consuming predominantly plant foods, the amount of feces may increase, while animal feces may decrease.

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A significant increase or decrease in fecal mass is a kind of alarm signal. The main causes of polyfecality (increased amount of feces) include:

• eating a lot of fiber;
• stomach diseases accompanied by impaired protein digestion;
• intestinal diseases accompanied by impaired absorption of food, water and increased peristalsis, as well as secretion of inflammatory exudate and mucus into the intestinal lumen (enteritis, polyps);
• disease of the liver, gastric bladder and biliary tract, leading to impaired bile secretion and absorption in the colon;
• disease of the pancreas with insufficiency of its exocrine function (insufficient digestion of proteins and fats);
• eating a lot of fiber.

The main reasons for a decrease in the amount of feces include:

• the predominance of easily digestible foods in the diet;
• reducing the amount of food eaten;
• presence of constipation, in which due to long delay feces in the large intestine and maximum water absorption, the volume of feces decreases.

Stool passing and floating in water

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Feces should be easily passed.

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If the feces do not sink and are washed off very poorly, this may indicate that it contains a large amount of undigested fat or a lot of gases have accumulated.

Stool color

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With a mixed diet, feces have Brown color.

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Dark brown shade feces may indicate the presence of disturbances in the digestion process of food in the stomach, colitis, putrefactive dyspepsia. This color also predominates with constipation and following a meat diet.

Light brown observed with increased intestinal motility and following a dairy-vegetable diet.

Orange noted when consuming beta-carotene and products with it high content(for example, pumpkin, carrots, etc.).

Reddish color occurs when bleeding from the lower intestines (anal fissures, hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis, etc.), as well as when eating beets.

Green color observed when consuming large quantities of sorrel, spinach, lettuce, with increased intestinal motility or the presence of dysbacteriosis.

Light yellow stool indicates very rapid passage of feces through the intestines.

Black color– with bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract (cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, colon cancer), ingestion of blood during pulmonary or nasal bleeding, when taking activated charcoal and bismuth preparations, eating blueberries and currants.

Greenish black color stool may occur when taking iron supplements.

Grayish white stool indicates that very little or no bile enters the intestines ( acute pancreatitis, blockage of the bile duct, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, etc.).

Consistency (density) of stool

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Normally, the stool is soft and formed. Feces should consist of 70% water, 30% from the remains of processed food, exfoliated intestinal cells and dead bacteria.

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The presence of pathology is indicated by liquid, foamy, ointment-like, mushy, semi-liquid, excessively dense or putty-like stool.

• Pasty stools – with increased peristalsis, inflammation or increased secretion in the intestines, may be associated with the consumption of large amounts of plant foods.
• Very dense “sheep” feces - observed with constipation and dehydration, may be a sign of a mechanical obstruction in the rectum.
• Ointment-like – observed in diseases of the pancreas, sharp decline the entry of bile into the intestines may be associated with increased consumption of fatty foods the day before. Frequent appearance ointment-like stool may be a symptom of pancreatic diseases, insufficient bile secretion.
• Liquid - observed with accelerated passage of feces, impaired absorption or digestion of food in the small intestine, is a symptom of toxic infection, acute intestinal infection, poisoning.
• Foamy - observed when fermentation processes in the intestines prevail over the rest.

Shape of stool

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An adult's feces should have a cylindrical, sausage-shaped shape.

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Ribbon-shaped stools or in the form of dense balls are observed with narrowing or spasms of the large intestine, intestinal atony, and insufficient water consumption.

Stool smell

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The smell of the stool should be fecal, unpleasant, but not pungent. Depends on the severity of fermentation and decay processes, as well as the composition of food.

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When the digestive process is disrupted, undigested food begins to rot in the intestines or becomes food for pathogenic bacteria. Some of them produce hydrogen sulfide, which has a characteristic rotten odor.

Sour– for fermentative dyspepsia, which occurs due to excessive consumption of carbohydrates (flour products, sugar, peas, fruits, etc.) and fermented drinks (for example, kvass).

Fetid– indicates a dysfunction of the pancreas, hypersecretion of the large intestine, and a decrease in the flow of bile into the intestines. The cause of too foul-smelling stool may be the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Putrefactive– noted for constipation, colitis, disruption of the digestive process in the stomach, putrefactive dyspepsia.

Faint odor- during accelerated evacuation from small intestine or constipation.

The smell of rancid oil– during bacterial decomposition of fats in the intestines.

Bowel gases

Gases – natural by-product digestion and fermentation of food as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract. An adult excretes about 0.2-0.5 liters of gas per day.

Gas formation occurs during the digestion process in the stomach due to the activity of microorganisms that inhabit the intestines. They decompose nutrients, releasing hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

A normal increase in the amount of gases is considered:

• when consumed in large quantities of carbohydrates and fiber;
• swallowing large amounts of air while drinking and eating;
• consuming foods that stimulate fermentation processes, as well as dairy products for lactose intolerance.

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An increase in the amount of gases can be observed with the following pathologies.

• Intestinal dysbiosis.
• Celiac disease.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Malabsorption.
• Enzyme deficiency of the pancreas.
• Chronic liver diseases: hepatitis, cholecystitis, cirrhosis.
• Chronic intestinal diseases (enteritis, colitis).
• Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, gastritis.

Stool acidity

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Normal stool acidity mixed diet should be about 6.8-7.6 pH. It is caused by the vital activity of the colon microflora.

The following are considered deviations from the norm:

• sour(less than 6.7 pH) is due to the presence of fermentative dyspepsia, is a consequence of the predominance in the diet of simple carbohydrates, fermentation products, vegetables and fruits that increase fermentation in the intestines;
• alkaline(more than 8.0 pH) is observed in the presence of putrefactive dispersion. It can occur as a result of excess protein foods. Impaired absorption and digestion of fats and proteins, chronic diseases intestines also exhibit an alkaline reaction;

The process of defecation depends on the diet, quantity and quality of food, and regularity of nutrition. If you notice that you have problems with your stool, do not put off visiting a doctor. Timely treatment will help avoid complications.

A person's stool can say a lot about his health. Color, consistency and other parameters reflect the level of certain substances in the body, as well as possible negative processes that occur in it.

Feces have their own generally accepted characteristics, which indicate that everything is in order with health. This may not be the most pleasant topic, but everyone should know the parameters of a chair.

1. Color. U healthy people, in the menu of which there is a variety of food, the feces have a color from yellowish to dark brown. Of course, this parameter varies depending on the type of food consumed at one time or another, but in general there should not be any unusual color.
   
2. Consistency. Normally, the stool is formed, moderately dense, it should come out easily during defecation and resemble a sausage in shape. If the stool looks like a cluster of small balls or, on the contrary, is too liquid, this is already a deviation from the norm.
   
3. . With well-established digestion and moderate nutrition, bowel movements should occur 1-2 times a day. This is the optimal number of times at which stool does not stagnate in the intestines. Emptying is allowed once every 48 hours, but not less often. The number of bowel movements may change due to stressful situations or painful conditions, but after that everything should return to normal.
   
4. Amount of feces. If the diet is balanced and the person does not overeat, then daily norm feces from 120 to 500 g, depending on age and type of food consumed. If the menu contains more plant foods, the amount of feces increases, if meat and dairy, on the contrary, decreases.
   
5. . Usually unpleasant, but not too harsh. It depends on the type of food consumed, the nature of digestion, the presence beneficial bacteria in the intestines and the necessary enzymes. So, if meat products predominate, the stool has a sharper odor, dairy foods give a characteristic sour smell. If food is not completely digested, it begins to rot and ferment. The number of bacteria feeding on it increases and they produce corresponding substances that have bad smell, such as hydrogen sulfide.
   
6. Stool acidity. An indicator that is established in laboratory conditions, but is also extremely important. Normal pH is 6.7-7.5 and depends on the intestinal microflora.
   

Attention! Some people have individual characteristics feces associated with congenital anomalies, pathologies or lifestyle (for example, vegetarians). If in general nothing worries you, then there is no need to fear for your health.

Deviations from the norms and their causes

Comparative characteristics of the color of feces and the reasons that cause it.

Color	Causes
	taking certain medications (for example, Activated carbon, medicines containing iron); alcohol abuse; · presence of coloring products in food (blueberries, blackberries, black grapes, prunes); · stomach ulcer or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
	· insufficient absorption of nutrients entering it by the intestine; · low amount of fiber in the diet and predominance of fats; · liver diseases.
	· consumption of coloring products (for example, beets); · use of medications containing vitamin A or the antibiotic "Rifampicin"; · presence of ulcers, tumors, polyps in the gastrointestinal tract;	· eating a lot of green foods; · taking herbal preparations and dietary supplements; · dysbacteriosis; · dysentery; · acute colitis; · irritable bowel syndrome; · reduction of bile salts in bile.
	· consumption of products with yellow dye; · violation of fat absorption; · Gilbert's syndrome, as a result of which bilirubin accumulates in the blood due to a malfunction of the liver; · disruption of the pancreas.
	· consumption of products with orange dye; · blockage of the bile ducts; · use of certain medications, excess multivitamins.
	· lack of bile in the intestines; · ulcerative colitis; putrefactive dyspepsia; · taking medications with calcium and antacids; · X-ray examination using a dye (barium sulfate).
	· intestinal bleeding; · haemorrhoids; · anal fissures; · intestinal cancer.

Diagnosis of the condition with changed stool color

If feces continue to be colored in an unnatural color for several days, which is not associated with the use of drugs or food, you should consult a specialist to find out the nature of this phenomenon.

If blood is found in the stool, this is an indication to immediately consult a doctor, because this may be a sign of the onset of internal bleeding.

Colonoscopy.

X-ray using contrast agent.

Ultrasound, MRI and CT.

What diseases cause staining of stool?

If the cause of abnormal stool color is independent of diet and medical supplies, then most likely the problem is in the following organs:

• liver;
• spleen;
• pancreas;
• gallbladder;
• stomach;
• intestines.

The most common diseases that change the color of stool.

1. Hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. Accumulation toxic substances in the liver tissue leads to its inflammation and inability to perform its functions: produce proteins and enzymes, regulate cholesterol levels.
2. Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the intestinal tissue, with the formation of small growths in which food remains and bacteria multiply.
   
3. Pancreatitis– disruption of the pancreas, as a result of which the timely outflow of enzymes into the intestines does not occur.
   
4. Stomach ulcer– the formation of foci of inflammation on the gastric mucosa, which then transform into wounds.
5. Ischemic colitis is inflammation of the tissues of the large intestine due to impaired circulation in it (atherosclerosis, embolism).
   
6. Splenitis– inflammation of the spleen tissue due to infection, blood disease, jaundice or cyst.
   
7. Dysfunctional biliary tract disorder. This includes such concepts as: gallbladder dyskinesia, sphincter of Oddi dystonia, acute or chronic cholecystitis.
   
8. Bulbit– swelling of the duodenal bulb, which results in erosion and bleeding.
   

   Duodenum. The initial part of the duodenum is expanded - this is the ampulla or bulb

For reference! Stool coloring can occur constantly or occasionally during exacerbation of diseases. In some cases, changes in stool color occur throughout a person's life if the diagnosis does not respond to treatment.

Video: Stool color - what color for what disease

Treatment

In order to return stool to normal consistency and color, it is necessary to identify the cause of the changes and begin treatment.

First of all, the diet is normalized and bad habits are eliminated.

If the cause of atypical green stool is infection, poisoning, or dysentery, absorbent drugs, agents that restore water-salt balance, probiotics and prebiotics are prescribed to help normalize the microflora of the stomach and intestines.

According to indications for other diseases, the following can be used:

• painkillers;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antibiotics;
• enzymatic preparations;
• antispasmodics;
• venotonics;
• laxatives or, conversely, antidiarrheals;
• antacid drugs;
• anthelmintic drugs;
• anticoagulants;
• homeopathic remedies.

Sea buckthorn suppositories and Anestezol can be used for intestinal diseases

In some cases it is required surgical intervention, for example, to remove polyps, various tumors, and stop bleeding in internal organs.

With adequate treatment, the result comes quite quickly, the patient no longer suffers from diarrhea, constipation, pain and abnormal color of stool.

Feces are not just processed foods, but, like other body secretions, they are an indicator of human health. Therefore, carefully monitoring the color of your stool will help prevent many diseases.