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Try one of these related symptoms.
Green poop
Pale stools
Clay like stool
Hard pebble like stool
White pellet like stool
White stools after 1 month after birth
Clay colored stools
Pale stools 1 month after birth
Stool is white
Grayish stool
Hard white stool
Pale stool 1 month after labor
Stool color changes can be caused by diseases or conditions, infections, surgery, pregnancy, medications, supplements, and diet.
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Generally, Change in stool color can be related to:
An inflammatory condition of the large intestine that damages the gut wall. The exact cause is not well known.
Cancer of the bile ducts is also known as "cholangiocarcinoma." It is a cancer that arises in the bile ducts inside the liver or in the ducts that connect the liver to the gall bladder and intestines. Risk factors include genetic conditions, a condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis, chronic liver disease, infection with liver worms (flukes), smoking, diabetes, and age >50. Patients often come to their physicians with abdominal pain, jaundice (yellow skin and eyeballs), itchiness, and weight loss.
It is an inflammatory condition of the gut. It is part of a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. It can affect anywhere from the mouth to the anus (end of the bowel).The exact cause is not well known.
Infectious enteritis
Sometimes, Change in stool color may be related to these serious diseases:
A condition in which the gut wall is damaged due to insufficient blood supply. Causes include low blood pressure, medications, or clots from the heart.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Q.
Red Stool After Watermelon? Why Your Gut is Reacting + Medical Next Steps
A.
Watermelon can temporarily make stool look pink or red because of its lycopene pigment and high water content that speeds digestion, especially after large portions; the color typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours once you stop eating it. There are several factors to consider, including how to tell food pigment from blood, urgent red flag symptoms, when to see a doctor, and exact next steps like pausing watermelon for 48 hours and monitoring your stool; see below for complete details that could affect your healthcare decisions.
References:
* Patel B, Gupta A, Agrawal A, Mahajan S, Dhyani A. Food-Induced Alterations in Stool Color: A Systematic Review. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Jan;11(1):OE01-OE04. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/23304.9149. Epub 2017 Jan 1. PMID: 28273934; PMCID: PMC5324467.
* Agha A, Ahmed MH, Agha S, Youssef J, Ghali M. Benign causes of red stools: a case series and review of the literature. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2022 May 23;13(3):284-294. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v13.i3.284. PMID: 35706591; PMCID: PMC9168961.
* Hyun J, Chen J, Lee JS. Evaluation and management of hematochezia in the adult patient. Clin Endosc. 2021 Mar;54(2):166-172. doi: 10.5946/ce.2020.126. Epub 2021 Jan 25. PMID: 33500366; PMCID: PMC7986706.
* Strate LL, Naeem M, Peppercorn MA. Approach to lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2008 Dec;37(4):717-36. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2008.08.010. PMID: 19041042.
* Rao AV, Agarwal S. Lycopene bioavailability and metabolism: recent developments and implications for health. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2007 Jul;232(7):1018-28. doi: 10.1177/153537020723200713. PMID: 17606736.
Q.
Orange Poop: When to Worry & What It Means for Women Over 65
A.
Orange stool in women over 65 is usually from foods high in beta carotene, vitamins or supplements, or certain medications, but it can also reflect bile flow issues and conditions of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, or gut. Be concerned if it lasts more than 1 to 2 weeks or occurs with jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, fatigue, or appetite changes, and speak with a doctor; there are several factors to consider. For key steps to take now and how doctors evaluate this, see below for important details that can guide your next healthcare decisions.
References:
* Ching, H., & Lin, C. (2020). Stool Color. *StatPearls [Internet]*. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
* López-Valbuena, F., Monzón, S., Rangel, L., Hernández-Rodríguez, A., & Arrieta, F. (2018). Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in the elderly. *Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología, 53*(4), 232–237.
* Pardi, D. S., & Madura, J. A. (2021). Bile Acid Malabsorption: Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Management. *Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 19*(6), 1103–1111.
* Sallie, R. (2018). Jaundice and Abnormal Liver Function Tests in the Elderly. *Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 34*(2), 241–255.
* Dominguez-Muñoz, J. E., & Dugherty, J. M. (2022). Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: Diagnosis and Management. *Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 20*(4), 743–752.
Q.
Stomach Bug Bowel Movements: When to Worry if You’re Over 65
A.
If you’re over 65, a stomach bug is usually brief, but call a doctor if bowel movements turn black or bloody, become white or very pale, are very foul with fever, or if diarrhea lasts more than 72 hours, especially with severe abdominal pain or signs of dehydration like dark urine, dizziness, or confusion. There are several factors to consider, including medication interactions and chronic conditions that raise risks; see the complete guidance below for key red flags, safe home care, and when to seek urgent or emergency evaluation.
References:
* Ali, S., et al. (2019). Acute gastroenteritis in older adults: a review. *Reviews in Medical Virology, 29*(4), e2073. PMID: 31086055.
* Hansen, J., et al. (2017). Risk factors for complications of acute gastroenteritis in the elderly. *Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 52*(11), 1251-1256. PMID: 29057849.
* Dupont, H. L., & Jiang, Z. D. (2012). Acute diarrhea in older adults: a clinical review. *Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 60*(2), 346-353. PMID: 22236353.
* Johnson, A. M., et al. (2023). Clostridioides difficile Infection in Older Adults: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management. *Clinical Geriatric Medicine, 39*(1), 1-13. PMID: 36773344.
* Lim, W. S., et al. (2016). Acute diarrhea in the elderly: a challenging problem. *Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 16*(1), 1-8. PMID: 26315609.
Q.
What Does Floating Poop Mean? A Health Guide for Women 65+
A.
For women 65+, floating stool is usually due to extra gas from foods or normal age-related digestion and is generally harmless, but there are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. If it persists more than 2 to 3 weeks or is greasy, pale or clay-colored, very foul-smelling, or comes with weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or black or red stool, it can point to fat malabsorption or problems with the pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, celiac disease, infections, or medications; tracking meals and symptoms and knowing when to call a doctor are explained in full below.
References:
* Chey WD, Kim MC. Steatorrhea in the Elderly: A Review. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2018 Dec;9(12):e00000. doi: 10.1038/s41395-018-0255-y. PMID: 30510168.
* Al-Bahrani S, Al-Wassiti EA, Al-Azzawi T, Al-Hadithi B, Al-Bahrani S, Al-Shamma S, Al-Zubaidi F, Al-Mosawi AJ, Al-Ghurabi O. Malabsorption in the elderly. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Jan 3;10:1107530. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1107530. PMID: 36660144.
* Yadav D, Papageorge MB, Amann ST. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Older Adults: An Overlooked Condition? Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Mar 1;117(3):418-420. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001625. PMID: 35234503.
* Buresi M, Man LM. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in the Elderly: A Review. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2020 Jan;11(1):e00135. doi: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000135. PMID: 31929341.
* Lebwohl B, Shah M, Ma S, Ludvigsson JF, Lee A. Celiac Disease in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Apr 1;116(4):711-721. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001150. PMID: 33797434.
Q.
What to Look for When Pooping: 7 Red Flags for Women Over 65
A.
Key red flags to watch for after 65 include blood in or on the stool (bright red or black), persistent color changes such as black, pale or clay, or yellow greasy stool, ongoing constipation or diarrhea, sudden changes in stool shape or size, pain with bowel movements, unexplained weight loss with bowel changes, and a frequent feeling of incomplete emptying. There are several factors to consider and clear guidance on when to seek care; see below for the complete details that explain what each sign can mean and which next steps to take.
References:
* Drossman, D. A., & Chang, L. (2017). Gastrointestinal symptoms in the elderly. *Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology*, *31*(3), 263-276.
* Kelsall, J. (2019). Rectal bleeding: a guide to assessment and management. *The Practitioner*, *263*(1824), 19-22.
* Piche, T., & Piche, T. (2021). Irritable bowel syndrome in the elderly: a narrative review. *Annals of Gastroenterology: Quarterly Publication of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology*, *34*(4), 481.
* Sun, V., Lin, M. Y., Krouse, R. S., Grant, M., & Wendel, C. A. (2017). Symptom Burden in Older Adults With Colorectal Cancer. *Journal of Geriatric Oncology*, *8*(1), 11-18.
* Ford, A. C., & Moayyedi, P. (2019). Alarm features in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis. *Gastroenterology*, *157*(2), 483-492.e1.
Q.
Baby/Infant Poop Color Guide
A.
Most baby poop colors are normal and reflect age, diet, and digestion, with yellow, green, brown, and orange usually harmless. Seek urgent care for white or gray stools or black stools beyond the first week unless clearly linked to iron, and call a doctor for repeated red streaks or frequent mucus, or if color changes come with fever, vomiting, dehydration, poor feeding, or poor weight gain. There are several factors to consider and patterns matter more than one diaper; see the complete color-by-color guide below for specific causes, what’s normal versus not, and clear next steps on when to monitor at home versus contact a clinician.
References:
* Dennison, B. A. (2009). Stool color: a helpful indicator of infant health. *Pediatric Nursing*, *35*(2), 114-118.
* Haddad, R., Sanyal, S. N., & Sanyal, A. (2020). Normal stool characteristics and consistency in breastfed and formula-fed infants: a prospective cohort study. *Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition*, *71*(2), 220-224.
* Rieber, L. M., & Koppel, R. (2014). Early recognition of biliary atresia in infants. *Paediatrics & Child Health*, *19*(3), 133–138.
* Bhatnagar, S., & Puri, A. S. (2014). Bloody diarrhea in children: A review. *Indian Journal of Pediatrics*, *81*(12), 1215-1221.
* Luzzani, L., & Giani, E. (2018). The importance of stool colour chart in infants. *Journal of Clinical Neonatology*, *7*(4), 185.
Q.
C. Diff Symptoms: Recognizing the Appearance and Frequency of Infection
A.
C. diff often causes watery, very loose, pale or greenish, mucus-like, foul-smelling stools, with diarrhea typically three or more times in 24 hours and sometimes 5 to 10 times a day, including at night. Seek urgent care for blood in stool, more than 10 watery stools per day, severe abdominal pain, fever over 101°F, or dehydration; there are several factors to consider. See below for complete details on other symptoms, who is at higher risk, when to test, and what treatments can speed recovery, which may affect your next steps.
References:
* Hashiguchi, Y., Ota, K., Kawahara, R., & Kawamura, T. (2021). Clostridioides difficile infection: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. *Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy*, *27*(7), 953-959.
* Bhatt, S., & Shiekh, A. (2023). Clinical Features of Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Review. *Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases*, *15*(3), 141-158.
* Lessa, F. C., & Mu, Y. (2018). Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection. *Infectious Disease Clinics of North America*, *32*(4), 755-777.
* Johnson, S., Lavergne, K. O., Chen, P., Ness, S., & Kazmi, N. (2021). Guidance for Clinical Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Adults: 2021 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. *Clinical Infectious Diseases*, *72*(9), e1-e45.
* Deshpande, A., & Jain, A. (2020). Clostridioides difficile infection: clinical spectrum, diagnosis, and treatment. *Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology*, *54*(8), 673-685.
Q.
How to Manage Chronic Diarrhea and Digestive Issues After Gallbladder Surgery
A.
After gallbladder removal, continuous bile flow can cause chronic diarrhea, urgency, and stool changes; most people improve with a lower fat diet, small frequent meals, added soluble fiber like psyllium, good hydration, and sometimes probiotics, and if symptoms persist a clinician may prescribe bile acid binders such as cholestyramine or short term anti-diarrheals, while red flags like black or bloody or persistently pale stools, severe pain, weight loss, or dehydration need prompt medical care. There are several factors to consider; see below for specific food lists, how to use fiber and medications, microbiome support, symptom tracking, timelines for recovery, and clear guidance on when to seek care, as these details can affect your next steps.
References:
* Chawla, A., & Chawla, B. (2023). Postcholecystectomy Syndrome: A Review of Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Cureus, 15(7), e41982.
* Sjövall, F., Strid, H., Grip, O., Olsson, R., Bjornsson, E., & Bytzer, P. (2020). Management of chronic diarrhoea related to bile acid malabsorption—A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 52(9), 1435–1448.
* Müller, S., & Bütler, N. (2022). Bile Acid Diarrhea: Etiology, Diagnostics, and Management. Visceral Medicine, 38(2), 108–114.
* Roda, A., Roda, G., Roda, E., & Roda, M. (2021). Bile Acid Diarrhea: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology, 14, 269–283.
* Lamberts, R., & van den Brandt, K. M. (2020). Postcholecystectomy Syndrome. European Surgical Research, 61(1), 1–10.
Q.
Why Is My Poop Yellow and Greasy? Causes of Fatty Stool (Steatorrhea)
A.
Yellow, greasy stool usually signals steatorrhea, or fat malabsorption, commonly from pancreatic enzyme deficiency, reduced or blocked bile flow from gallbladder or liver problems, intestinal disorders like celiac disease or Crohn’s, infections such as giardia, or diet and medications. There are several factors to consider, including how long it lasts and red flags like weight loss, significant pain, very pale or clay-colored stool, or dehydration; see below for the full list of causes, tests doctors use, and the specific next steps and treatments that could impact your care.
References:
* Singh R, Parameswaran R, Sripada A, Ramakrishna BS. Causes and Approach to Diagnosis of Malabsorption: A Narrative Review. J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2020 Jul-Aug;10(4):428-442. doi: 10.1016/j.jceh.2019.12.001. Epub 2020 Jan 2. PMID: 32773950; PMCID: PMC7402619.
* Struyvenberg MR, Martini I, Wierdsma NJ, van Dijkum EJ, van der Wal S, de van der Schueren MAE, Besselink MG, van Santvoort HC, van Dieren S. Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Nutr. 2023 Apr;153(4):1042-1052. doi: 10.1016/j.jn.2023.01.018. Epub 2023 Jan 30. PMID: 36724945; PMCID: PMC10065096.
* Ludvigsson JF, Bai JC, Biagi F, Card TR, Ciacci A, Ciclitira PJ, Green PH, Hadjivassiliou M, Holdoway B, van Heel DA, Kaukinen K, Leffler DA, Leonard JN, Lundin KE, McGough N, Murray JA, Newman NR, Nilsson S, Quesada F, Reilly NR, Sanders DS, Scherf K, Silvester JA, Sollid LM, Stroescu I, Thompson T, Troncone R, Valdes I, West J, Whorwell PJ, Wilson MR, ZWG, Fasano A. Diagnosis and management of adult coeliac disease: the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines. Gut. 2023 Jan;72(1):3-45. doi: 10.1136/gutj-2022-327850. Epub 2022 Sep 20. PMID: 36127025; PMCID: PMC9777995.
* Bajor A, Tuvelius J, Ståhlberg D. Current perspectives on diagnosis and treatment of bile acid malabsorption. Ther Adv Gastroenterol. 2022 Sep 13;15:17562848221124445. doi: 10.1177/17562848221124445. PMID: 36110904; PMCID: PMC9477041.
* Bushyhead D, Quigley EMM. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2021 Jul 26;23(9):18. doi: 10.1007/s11894-021-00811-0. PMID: 34312817.
Q.
How long do zepbound side effects last?
A.
Most Zepbound side effects start during dose increases and improve within days to 1–2 weeks per episode, with typical durations around 4 days for nausea, 1 day for vomiting, 2 days for diarrhea, and about 7 days for constipation; by the maintenance phase near week 16 they usually lessen. There are several factors to consider and warning signs that need prompt care; see below to understand more, including when to call a clinician if symptoms are severe, persistent, or new after 4 months.
References:
Wilding JPH, et al. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med, 33504007.
Rubino DM, et al. (2021). Effect of Continued Weekly Semaglutide Therapy on Long-Term Wei… JAMA, 33717183.
Foucher J, Chanteloup E, Vergniol J, et al. (2006). Diagnosis of cirrhosis by transient elastography: a prospectiv… Gastroenterology, 16697776.
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