What do the different colors and shapes of poop mean? (2023)

The consistency and color of your poop can reveal information about your health. While you may not pay much attention to your stool, checking it regularly can help you keep track of what's normal for you and what's not.

Most of the time, changes in bowel movements are expected. However, if you have an unusual color or shape of poop that lasts for a long time, or experience other symptoms such as pain or bleeding, contact your doctor.

This article includes a poop color chart and discusses the meaning of different poop colors, from yellow poop to green, pale, dark or red poop, to pebble-shaped poop or poop that contains mucus.

What does unhealthy stool look like?

A poop color that suddenly changes color for no apparent reason can indicate a problem, especially if you have other unusual symptoms like pain or bleeding. Red or brown stools, as well as black or tarry stools, require immediate medical attention.

What does the color of your poop mean?

Normal, healthy stools range from various shades of brown to greenish-brown. This can vary if you eat a lot of colorful foods. Any change in the color of the poop that cannot be related to your diet is reason to consult the doctor.

pale colored poop

Bile salts in the intestines give stool its usual brown color. If your poop is light in color (either pale, white, gray, or clay-colored), there may be a lack of bile in your stool. Blockage of the bile ducts from gallstones or a condition affecting the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas can cause reduced bile production.

Pale or light-colored poop can also mean there is excess oil in the poop, a condition calledsteator. This can be caused by anything that disturbs the intestinal lining, such asCeliac Diseaseor disorders affecting the pancreas, liver, or gallbladder.

Also, the stool may be temporarily pale after the barium enema test.

If you notice that your poop is white, clay-colored, or chalky gray, see your doctor, especially if the new poop color lasts for several days.

yellow poop

There are several different possible causes of yellow poop, and the meaning of yellow poop varies widely.

Having yellow poop can simply mean that you are eating yellow foods like sweet potatoes, carrots,turmeric, or yellow food coloring. Furthermore, people withgastroesofagealna refluxna bolest(GERD) and those taking GERD medication sometimes have yellow poop.

Sudden yellow poop can also be a sign of an infection affecting your intestines, especially if you have one.diarrhea, fever, flu-like symptoms, or stomach cramps. Yellow poop has been reported after a COVID-19 infection.MI,giardijaza, an infection of the small intestine caused by a parasitegiardia lamblia, it can also cause yellow stools or diarrhea.

Some people have yellow poop after surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). This is because there is an increased amount of bile moving directly into the intestines, causing watery diarrhea that is often yellow.

In some cases, yellow poop can also mean excess fat in the stool.

green poop

There are a few common reasons for green poop. Eating too many green leafy vegetables, such as kale or spinach, can turn poop green. But that's normal and shouldn't stop you from eating these antioxidant-rich foods.Iron supplements and food dyes, including green, purple, and blue, can also turn stool an emerald color.

Conditions that make the intestines work faster, such as intestinal disorders or food poisoning, can also cause green orgreen diarrhea. Pregnant women may also occasionally have green stools.

Bright red color of poop

Bright red poop can be caused by beetroot, blueberry, tomato juice or soup, or products that contain red food coloring, such as Kool-Aid or red licorice. Red medicines like amoxicillin can also make poop red.

If there is blood in the stool,poop colorit depends on where in the digestive tract the bleeding occurs. Blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach or esophagus, will darken when it leaves the body as a bowel movement.

Bright red blood is most likely coming from the lower gastrointestinal tract, such as the colon or rectum. Bright red blood in poop can be caused by conditions such as:

• Hemorrhoids
• anal fissure
• Ulcerative colitis
• diverticulosis
• bowel cancer

Blood in the stoolIt doesn't always seem obvious. Blood may also be present but not visible; this is known as "occult" blood. INfecal occult blood testIt is a common test used to detect hidden blood in the stool.

Black or dark colored poop

Certain foods, supplements, and medications can temporarily turn your poop black, such as:

• bismuth subsalicylate(peptobismol, kaopectato)
• iron supplements
• activated carbon additives
• Dark foods like black licorice, grape juice, Oreo cookies, blackberries, or blueberries

Stools may also appear darker with constipation. Dark green bile stool that hasn't had time to break down may appear to be the color of black poop in certain lighting.

Poop that is almost black in color, dark in color, or has a thick consistency may mean that there is bleeding in the upper GI tract.Medical conditions that can cause dark, tarry stools include:

• Duodenal or gastric ulcers
• esophageal varices
• Mallory-Weiss tear
• Gastritis

If the color of your poop is black and it is not coming from food or supplements, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

What are the different types of poop?

Occasional changes in poop consistency are also normal and usually stem from the nutritional content of the food. However, if the change in consistency continues after several bowel movements, it is best to see your doctor for evaluation.

Chairs that sink fast

Although the normal form of the chair ifrequencyIt varies from person to person, if your stool sinks quickly, you may not be getting enough fluids or fiber in your diet. This type of stool is usually darker in color because it stays longer in the intestines.

floating bench

If your stool fluctuates here and there, it's probably nothing to worry about. Most likely, the feces only have a greater amountfullBeginning.This can happen after consuming carbonated drinks, beans, and sugary foods. Some gastrointestinal disorders, such asirritable bowel syndrome(IBS) can also cause loose stools.

However, constant stool fluctuations can be a sign that your body is not absorbing fat properly. When this happens, it could be a sign of steatorrhea.

gravel coast

Stool passed in small pieces is sometimes called stones or balls.Fiber forms a gel in the intestines when fermentedbacteriain the large intestine and in combination with water. If the fiber that holds the stool together is missing, it may be in the form of small stones.

Increasing your fiber intake can help; to do this, slowly increase your intake up to the recommended daily value of 28 grams. If you find it difficult to get this amount with high-fiber foods, consider supplementingfiber supplement.

pencil thin chair

Overexertion when you are on the toilet can result in long, thin stools. The downward pressure causes the anal muscle to contract and narrow the opening of the anus. The stool that gets through the narrow opening is thin.

However, constant loose stools can indicate a medical problem.Any condition that blocks the intestines, such as benign rectal polyps, hemorrhoids, an enlarged prostate, or colon, rectal, or prostate cancer, can cause pencil-thin stools.

weird stools

Loose stools (diarrhea) that last a few days or less are common and usually not serious. It can be triggered by many different foods, supplements, and medications. For example, eating too much fructose, a sugar found in honey and many soft drinks and processed foods, can cause loose stools.

Another common cause of loose stools is a gastrointestinal infection, also known asstomach flu.

When to see a doctor

Although it's normal for your stool to vary from day to day depending on what you eat and drink, the color of your poop should generally be a shade of brown.

Stool should pass out of the body with little effort or discomfort, have the consistency of toothpaste, and look more like a banana than a pencil.

Be sure to see your doctor right away if the color of your poop is bright red, black, pale, or is accompanied by mucus or pus, or if you experience new or unusual symptoms, such as pain.

Abstract

Several factors can cause variations inthe look of your chair. Some factors, like your daily eating and drinking habits, are less of a concern than others.

Keep in mind, however, that seemingly harmless changes in the color, shape, or consistency of your poop—such as pencil-thin stool—may actually be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Contact your doctor if you are concerned about your stools or if you notice any changes in your bowel habits or additional symptoms.