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The correct color for stools is a darker shade of brown. The color of your stools is primarily due to the color of food debris, water, bile pigments, bacteria, and fiber. All these factors affect the color of the stool and its consistency. For what reasons may a light stool appear? Could it be a cause for concern?
Light stools may not always be a sign of illness. If it occurs infrequently, it may be the result of dietary components or a large amount of water consumed. However, if a light stool appears systematically and this condition persists for a long time, consult a specialist doctor. The color and appearance of stools is an indicator of what is happening in the body, and in a situation where one of the organs stops functioning properly, the color of the stool will inform about any negative changes.
Light stool – causes
If pale stools appear sporadically, do not worry, as it can be caused, for example, by a large amount of vegetables or fruit in the daily menu, and light stools appear after drinking large amounts of water. In a situation where pale stools are common, no matter what is in your meals, you need to see a doctor. After the initial interview and manual examinations, the doctor should order laboratory tests to accurately test the liver parameters and pancreatic enzymes. It is also worth doing a urinalysis. During the visit, the doctor, if possible, performs a control ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. During the visit, the specialist should be informed about the other symptoms.
If you do not have the option of a stationary visit, use the option of telemedicine advice. Make an online consultation with e-Prescription and e-Referral.
Pale stools may be a signal of a developing bile duct disease, and when bile cannot be drained properly from the liver, a pale stool appears. Light color of stools is a symptom of, for example, mechanical jaundice, as well as extrahepatic cholestasis. Light stool is also a result of inflammation of the bile ducts, kidney stones, it will also appear in some types of cancer. It happens that light stool turns white, and this is caused by too little bilirubin. Patients with pale stools and itchy skin, dark urine, and yellow skin may have problems with urolithiasis. Light stool is also a symptom of abnormal pancreatic function, in which case the stool is glowing and very bright.
If you have noticed disturbing symptoms such as light stools, digestive disorders or dark urine, it is worth doing tests that will analyze the work of the pancreas.
Light stool appears in liver diseases. A disturbing symptom is a pale stool that occurs after acute diarrhea and is additionally accompanied by severe abdominal pain. In such cases, additional medical diagnostics is necessary. Light stools can also appear during pregnancy due to increased food intake and accelerated digestion. If no other ailments appear, the condition should not endanger the health of the mother and the fetus. Another cause of light-colored stools may be your body’s response to the medication you are taking.
One of the useful tests in the case of gastrointestinal symptoms may be the mail-order general stool examination from the Medonet Market offer. After receiving the kit, take a stool sample yourself and send it to the laboratory.
Also read:
- Green stool – what does it mean?
- Tarry stool – when does it appear?
Observing the color and consistency of the faeces is important for young children. In their case, a pale stool may appear and it should also not be a concern if it is an occasional condition, while a pale stool, which occurs frequently and is accompanied by other disturbing symptoms, for example constipation or abdominal pain, requires a visit to the pediatrician. Pale stools in children, as in adults, may be a signal of problems with the liver or pancreas.
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