There is no need to worry if you pass green stools because it is quite normal.However, don't ignore green stools accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Normal stool is generally light brown to dark brown in color. The color comes from food scraps, dead red blood cells, and bacteria in the colon. Stool can change color when food doesn't stay in your digestive tract long enough.
Causes of Green Stool
Changes in the color of the stool to green are common. This can be caused by normal things such as certain foods or drinks, to diseases. Here are the causes:
Eating green food
In addition to diarrhea, green stools can also be caused by consuming too many green vegetables, fruits, nuts, or spices. Green leafy vegetables are rich in chlorophyll, the green pigment that gives plants their color. In addition, synthetic green food coloring can also affect the color of feces to be green.
Taking certain supplements or medications below can also make stools green:
- Iron supplements, although more common, cause black stools.
- Supplements containing chlorophyll, such as spirulina and green algae.
- Antibiotics.
- NSAIDs, such as indomethacin.
Diarrhea
The process of digestion of food consumed into feces takes about two to three days. But when diarrhea, this process becomes disturbed. Diarrhea makes the movement of food in the intestines to occur too quickly, so that digestive enzymes and bacteria in the intestine cannot break down bile pigments into their normal brown color.
Generally, as soon as diarrhea stops or reduces intake of green vegetables, green stools will return to normal within a few days. However, if green stools persist or are accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, fever, stomach pain, and bleeding during bowel movements, it is advisable to go to the doctor immediately to get the right treatment.
The color of the stool Needdbeware
Here are some stool colors that need to be checked further:
black stool
Black stools can occur after taking iron supplements. In addition, black or reddish stools are considered dangerous if they are caused by bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. This requires immediate medical treatment.
red stool
If your stool is red, pay attention to the level of redness. The degree of red coloration is affected by how fast blood flows through the intestines. The brighter the red color of your stool, the more you need to watch out for this condition. Some causes such as hemorrhoids, polyps, or colon tumors.
But you don't need to panic right away, apart from illness, red stools can also be caused by red pigmented foods or drinks such as dragon fruit, tomatoes, or beets.
white stool
White stool is a serious symptom that needs to be checked by a doctor. The reason is because there is a blockage in the bile duct, so that bile cannot be channeled into the intestine.
The cause of this blockage is inflammation of the bile duct, gallstones, or a tumor pressing on the bile duct.
Changes in stool color cannot be the only sign that doctors use to diagnose patients. Generally, the doctor will perform a physical examination and pay attention to your medical history, medications you are taking, and your diet.
Then, the stool can be examined to see if there is blood, fat, or white blood cells and germs that cause infection in it. If changes in stool color are considered risky, the doctor can examine several important organs in the digestive system such as the pancreas, intestines, stomach, liver, and bile ducts.
Maintain Digestive System Health
In order for normal stools and a healthy digestive tract, it is necessary to eat a diet rich in fiber, drink enough water, and exercise regularly. You can eat cereals or whole grain breads, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nuts.
Drink enough water to facilitate the process of passing stool regularly. Also do regular exercise to increase metabolic processes and bowel movements.
In general, green stools are harmless. However, if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.