What does it mean when your stool is white?

What does it mean when your stool is white?

White stool isn’t normal and should be evaluated promptly by a doctor. White or clay-like stool is caused by a lack of bile, which may indicate a serious underlying problem. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.

Is pale stool an emergency?

When the stool is white or very light brown, this can signal a more serious problem, such as cholestasis, a type of liver disease. In newborns, cholestasis or any other problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas may be a medical emergency, so a caregiver should call their pediatrician right away.

Is white poop always bad?

Seek prompt medical care if you have white stool unless a specific cause, such as prolonged antacid use or a recent barium study, can be identified. White stool can be associated with a serious medical condition.

What Colour is healthy stool?

Stool comes in a range of colors. All shades of brown and even green are considered normal. Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition. Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile — a yellow-green fluid that digests fats — in your stool.

What causes light colored stools in adults?

Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color. If your liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow of the bile is blocked and not draining from your liver, your stools may become pale or clay-colored. Having pale stools once in a while may not be a cause for concern.

What does pale poop look like?

Stools that are pale, white, or look like clay or putty may be the result of a lack of bile or caused by a blockage in the bile ducts. Stools that are light in color or look like clay can also occur after a test in the colon that uses barium (such as a barium enema), because the barium may be passed in the stool.

Where is the pancreas pain felt?

People with acute pancreatitis usually look and feel seriously ill and need to see a doctor right away. The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain in your upper abdomen that may spread to your back.

What do light colored stools indicate?

Light-colored or clay-colored stools are often seen with diseases of the liver or bile ducts. The pale stool may be caused by pancreatic cancer that blocks the bile ducts.

Does IBS cause light colored stool?

A person should also see a doctor if their symptoms get progressively worse, stools are pale, bulky, very offensive smelling and difficult to flush away (this may indicate a problem with absorbing fat), or if they are concerned about their symptoms.

How do I know if I have a problem with my pancreas?

Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include: Upper abdominal pain. Abdominal pain that radiates to your back. Abdominal pain that feels worse after eating.

Pale stool, especially if it is white or clay colored, can indicate a serious health problem. When adults have a pale stool with no other symptoms, it is usually safe to wait and see if the stool returns to normal. When children and babies have very pale or white poop, a doctor should see them as soon as possible.

What causes pale stool?

Clay-colored or white stools (pale stools) Light-colored or clay-colored stools are often seen with diseases of the liver or bile ducts. The pale stool may be caused by pancreatic cancer that blocks the bile ducts. Lack of bile causes stool to lose its brown color and leaves it appearing pale.

What color is your stool if you have liver problems?

The liver releases bile salts into the stool, giving it a normal brown color. You may have clay-colored stools if you have a liver infection that reduces bile production, or if the flow of bile out of the liver is blocked. Yellow skin (jaundice) often occurs with clay-colored stools.

What causes light-colored stools in adults?

What causes sharp pain on left side of abdomen?

Abdominal pain in the left is commonly caused by constipation or gas that causes brief pain in the digestive tract. Sharp pains may be due to kidney stones or breakthrough of the weak parts of the abdominal wall, a.k.a. hernia.

What causes pain in the lower abdomen and lower back?

Constipation. Constipation usually causes pain in your lower abdomen for most people, however, according to the charity Cancer Research UK, chronic constipation can also cause back pain along with abdominal pain. 1 This happens because the buildup of hard stool presses on the nerves in your lower back, causing pain.

What causes pain in the abdomen after diarrhea?

Indigestion, the stomach flu, and food poisoning are common causes of acute diarrhea and abdominal pain. In these cases, symptoms last for less than four days and often resolve without medical treatment. Infections or diseases that affect the organs in your abdomen can also cause pain with diarrhea. Organs in the abdomen include your:

What causes constipation in the lower left abdomen?

When a pouch tears, swelling and infection can cause diverticulitis. Less commonly, constipation or diarrhea can be a sign of diverticulitis.

What causes pain on left side of abdomen in women?

Women can suffer from sharp lower left abdominal pain more than men. The lower left abdominal area in females contains some reproductive organs like the left ovary and part of the uterus. So, conditions relating to the menstrual cycle or pregnancy often cause cramping pain and lower left abdominal pain in women.

Constipation. Constipation usually causes pain in your lower abdomen for most people, however, according to the charity Cancer Research UK, chronic constipation can also cause back pain along with abdominal pain. 1 This happens because the buildup of hard stool presses on the nerves in your lower back, causing pain.

Indigestion, the stomach flu, and food poisoning are common causes of acute diarrhea and abdominal pain. In these cases, symptoms last for less than four days and often resolve without medical treatment. Infections or diseases that affect the organs in your abdomen can also cause pain with diarrhea. Organs in the abdomen include your:

Can a hernia cause pain in the lower abdomen?

A hernia can be painful and get worse when lifting something. It can also cause swelling. If you’re female, here are some potential causes of pain in the lower right abdomen. 14. Menstrual pain Menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen can occur before or during your period. The pain may even radiate down into your legs.