Oct 10, 2024 · Stool comes in a range of colors. All shades of brown and even green are considered typical. Only rarely does stool color indicate a possibly serious intestinal condition. Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile — a yellow-green fluid that digests fats — in your stool.

Jan 18, 2025 · Diarrhea — loose, watery and possibly more-frequent passage of stool — is a common problem. Sometimes, it's the only symptom of a condition. At other times, it may be associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss. Luckily, diarrhea is usually short-lived, lasting no more than a few days.

Oct 20, 2023 · Constipation is a problem with passing stool. Constipation generally means passing fewer than three stools a week or having a difficult time passing stool. Constipation is fairly common. A lack of dietary fiber, fluids and exercise can cause constipation. But other medical conditions or certain medicines may be the cause.

Oct 12, 2023 · Undigested food in stool isn't a problem unless it occurs with lasting diarrhea, weight loss or other changes in your bowel habits. If you have such signs and symptoms, talk to your health care provider.

Choose a symptom; Selected Select related factors; View possible causes; Blood in stool in adults. Find possible causes of blood in stool based on specific factors.

Feb 20, 2018 · Excess bile acids entering the colon can cause the classic signs and symptoms of bile acid malabsorption (BAM), including watery stool, urgency and fecal incontinence. Although BAM has been associated with diarrhea for nearly 50 years, it remains an underrecognized and underdiagnosed cause of chronic diarrhea.

Jan 11, 2024 · Check with a healthcare professional if you notice any changes in the appearance of your stool that last longer than 1 to 2 weeks. Get medical help right away if your bowel changes happen with rectal bleeding or severe belly pain.

Nov 28, 2023 · White stool isn't typical. If you have white stool, you should see a medical professional right away. A lack of bile causes white or clay-like stool. That may mean a serious underlying problem. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.

Oct 13, 2023 · Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a sign of a disorder in the digestive tract. The blood often shows up in stool or vomit but isn't always obvious. Stool may look black or tarry. Bleeding can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening. Imaging technology or an endoscopic investigation can usually locate the cause of the bleeding.

Jan 18, 2025 · Stool test. You may have a stool test to see if a bacterium or parasite is causing your diarrhea. Hydrogen breath test. This type of test can help determine if you have a lactose intolerance. After you drink a liquid that contains high levels of lactose, your breath is measured for hydrogen at regular intervals.