Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 3/11/2019
Doctor's Notes on Stool Color Changes and Chart
Stool color changes refer to unusual or different colors found in the stool (feces). Many things can cause the stool to change color temporarily, including your diet. Beets and green vegetables, in particular, may alter stool color. Other conditions that can cause changes in stool color include certain medications, hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis, gallbladder disease, and celiac disease, among others. Any condition that can cause bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract can cause blood in the stool and a change in color to bright red or black.
Symptoms and signs associated with changes in stool color depend on the reason for the change. These can include rectal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, hemorrhoids, and passage of mucus in the stool. Stool color changes related to diet or medications may not be accompanied by other symptoms.
Pancreatitis : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz
QuestionPancreatitis is inflammation of an organ in the abdomen called the pancreas.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. There are two kinds of pancreatitis, acute and chronic. The primary causes of pancreatitis are alcohol and gallstones. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include nausea, fever, dehydration, and rapid heartbeat. Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include bleeding from anemia, jaundice and other liver problems, weight loss, and diabetes. Treatment of individuals with pancreatitis caused by alcohol abuse is stopping all alcohol use. Examples of other treatments may include gallbladder removal, antibiotics, or change in diet (high carbohydrate low-fat diet). -
Anal Abscess
Anal abscesses include perirectal abscess and perianal abscess. Both types of abscesses need immediate medical attention. Causes of anal abscesses include individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes, AIDS/HIV, Crohn's disease, those on immune system suppressor drugs, pregnancy, STDs, and anal fissures. Symptoms of anal abscesses include pain in the anal area, pus drainage near the anus, fever, lower abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, fatigue, and night sweats. Treatment of anal abscesses is often surgery. -
Anal Fissure
Anal fissures are small tears in the skin overlying the anus. Anal fissures are generally caused by constipation, or straining with a bowel movement. Symptoms of an anal fissure include severe pain during a bowel movement, drops of blood in the toilet, and pain while sitting. Anal fissure treatment includes home remedies such as Sitz baths and a high fiber diet and medical treatment of such as medication, botox injections, or surgery. -
Anemia
Anemia can be caused by many conditions and diseases such as iron deficiency, poor diet and nutrition, cancers, bone marrow problems, and more. Symptoms of anemia depend upon the cause, and progression of the disease. Treatment depends upon the cause of anemia. -
Clostridium Difficile (C. difficile)
Clostridium difficile (or C. difficile, C. diff) colitis is an infection of the colon. C. diff infection is most commonly associated with antibiotic use. Another common name is pseudomembranous colitis. C. diff bacteria is commonly found on items such as floors, bedpans, phones, and fingernails, etc. C. diff infection causes are use of certain antibiotics. Risk factors for C. diff infection include hospitalization, age, and chronic medical conditions. Treatment is generally with another antibiotic. -
Colitis
Colitis is an inflammation of the colon. There are many cause of colitis, infectious colitis (bacterial or viral), ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), microscopic colitis (lymphocytic and collagenous), and chemical colitis. Symptoms of colitis are generally diarrhea (may be bloody) and abdominal pain and/or cramping. Treatment of colitis depends upon the cause. -
Colon Cancer
The human colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small bowel to your anus. Most colon cancers start as adenomatous polyps that turn into adenocarcinomas. Colon cancer (bowel cancer) is typically diagnosed through a colonoscopy or other type of endoscopic procedures. Treatment methods include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. -
Constipation: in Infants, Babies, Toddlers, and Children
Constipation in infants and children affects up to 10% of children at any given time. Causes of constipation in infants and children include a wilfulness to avoid the toilet, prior painful or frightening experiences that make them avoid the bathroom, a concern for lack of privacy in public restrooms, changes in diet, dehydration, and several medical disorders. Symptoms of constipation in infants and children include vague abdominal pain, vomiting, decreased appetite, urinary tract infections (UTIs), urinary incontinence, frequent urination, and bedwetting. Home remedies and self-care at home is possible with mild constipation, however, it may be necessary for the affected infant or child to see a pediatrician or other healthcare professional. -
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance or allergies. Symptoms of diarrhea include watery stools, abdominal cramping, fever, and dehydration. Most cases of diarrhea can be treated at home. In some cases (in the elderly, small children, or those with severe or chronic medical conditions) may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration. -
Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis)
Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the diverticula in the colon. This conditions is referred to as diverticulosis. Causes of diverticulosis (diverticulitis) include aging, a low fiber diet, frequent constipation and bowel straining. Symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and cramping. Treatment generally requires a high fiber diet and frequent liquid hydration to prevent constipation. If complications occur with the disease or it becomes severe, surgery may be necessary. -
Foreign Body in Rectum
The majority of foreign bodies (objects) placed in the rectum have been placed through the anus. Examples of foreign objects in the rectum include bottles, candles, fruits, vegetables, and sex toys. If a person knows they have, or thinks they have a foreign body in the rectum, they should seek medical care. The object may be easily removed by a health care professional; however, in some cases surgery is necessary to remove the object. -
Gallstones
Gallstones are solid particles that form from bile in the gallbladder. There are two types of gallstones, cholesterol and pigment. Causes of gallstones vary, and risk factors include female gender, obesity, crash dieting, and some medications. There are a variety of treatments for gallstones depending on the severity of the condition. -
Gastrointestinal Bleeding (GI)
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding either comes from the upper GI or lower GI tract. Upper GI bleeding can be caused by ulcers, gastritis, varices, cancer, or inflammation. Lower GI bleeding is caused by diverticulitis, cancers, IBD, infection, polyps, hemorrhoid's, and anal fissures. Symptoms of GI bleeding include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, vomiting blood, rectal bleeding, anemia, or a pale appearance. Treatment of GI bleeding depends on the cause. -
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are large veins in the rectum that cause pain. Causes of hemorrhoids include constipation, straining during a bowel movement, low-fiber diet, and liver disease. Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids are usually painless. External or prolapsed internal hemorrhoid symptoms and signs may include: Pain A lump outside the anus Anal itching Constant urge to have a bowel movement Blood with a bowel movement There are a variety of over-the-counter treatments for hemorrhoids. Some do not resolve on their own so surgery is necessary. -
Jaundice (In Adults and Newborns)
Jaundice is a yellow staining of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by abnormally high blood levels of the bile pigment bilirubin. Examples of the causes of jaundice include; malaria, sickle cell disease, drugs, toxins, newborn jaundice, gallstones, pancreatitis, and autoimmune disorders. Some of the common symptoms of jaundice include yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, light colored stools, dark urine, and itching of the skin. Treatment for jaundice depends on the cause. -
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, one of the most non-responsive to treatment, and one of the hardest to diagnose; in one recent year, 84 % of those diagnosed in the U.S. died of the disease. It affects the pancreas, which is a crucial abdominal organ that produces insulin to maintain blood sugar, and it performs other functions crucial to digestion and metabolism. -
Peptic Ulcer
Ulcers are caused by stomach acid which has eaten away at part of the inner lining of the digestive system. "Peptic" describes the location of an ulcer in the stomach or upper small intestine. Causes of peptic ulcers include NSAIDs, physical or emotional stress, cigarette smoking, radiation therapy, caffeine, and H. pylori infection. Symptoms of peptic ulcer include abdominal pain, gnawing or burning pain that may be felt in the back. The pain from peptic ulcer may last from a few minutes to a few hours. Treatment of peptic ulcer depends upon the cause. -
Rectal Bleeding
Rectal bleeding can be mild or seriouis, evern life-threatening. Causes of rectal bleeding include trauma, inflammation of the bowel, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, and tumors. Treatment of rectal bleeding depends on the cause and may include medication or surgery. -
Ricin (Poisoning)
Ricin is a potent toxin that can be used as an agent of biological warfare, as a weapon of mass destruction, or to cause someone harm; even death. Ricin is a protein derived from castor beans used to make castor oil (motor oil). Symptoms of ricin poisoning depend on whether it has been inhaled, ingested from contaminated food or drink, or by injection, and may include heavy sweating, low blood pressure, fluid in the lungs, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, blood in the urine, multiple organ failure, and pain and redness of the skin and eyes. If you are exposed to ricin, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. -
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membranes that line the colon. Symptoms of UC include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgency for a bowel movement, fever, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Treatment for UC include medication and lifestyle changes. On occasion, surgery may be a necessary treatment for ulcerative colitis. -
Vomiting and Nausea
Vomiting and nausea are common complaints that accompany many conditions and diseases. A few common causes of vomiting and nausea include food poisoning, viruses, vertigo, head injuries, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, migraine, brain tumors, and infections. Treatment of vomiting and nausea depend on the cause of the symptoms.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.