Stool Color Changes (cont.)
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
In this Article
- Definition of stool color changes
- What is the color of normal stool?
- What are the causes of stool color changes?
- Green stools
- Yellow, greasy, and foul smelling stool
- Black tarry stools
- Bright red stools
- Light-colored white or clay-colored stools
- Maroon stools
- Mucous in the stool
- Stool that floats
- Changes in the size and shape of stool
- How is the cause of stool color changes evaluated?
- When should I contact my doctor about stool color or texture changes?
- Stool color chart
- Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town
Mucous in the stool
Mucous in the stool may be a normal variant, and it may cover segments of formed feces. However, it also can occur in patients with inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. Mucous that is also associated with blood and/or abdominal pain should not be ignored and requires medical attention. Mucous in stool can also be seen in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Stool that floats
Most stool floats because of poor absorption of nutrients or excess flatus (gas). It is a normal variant and usually of no concern. Changes in diet can lead to stool that floats, but as an isolated symptom, no action needs to be taken and often it resolves spontaneously. Stool does not float because of increased fat content.
Malabsorption syndromes that are associated with floating stool include lactose intolerance, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and short bowel syndrome.
Changes in the size and shape of stool
Each person has their own size, shape and consistency of stool. It is the change in stool pattern that matters more than the absolute size and shape of stool. Narrow stool, sometimes called pencil-thin, may occur occasionally and is of no concern. People with irritable bowel syndrome may develop thinner stools.
A person with "normal" stools that has a new change in the caliber (diameter, length, width) of the bowel movement should consult his/her doctor. This may be a sign of a narrowed or scarred colon, perhaps due to a tumor, but the health care professional may want further information by taking a history and performing a physical examination before being concerned about that conclusion.
How is the cause of stool color changes evaluated?
The patient and the doctor need to consider other symptoms, past medical history, dietary changes, and medications to help decide what has caused the stool to change color. Physical examination will be important to help decide the significance of the stool color.
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