Green stools: what can be and what to do

Green feces are not normally a concern, being almost always related to food, especially the excessive consumption of green foods, such as spinach and broccoli, for example, or foods with green dyes.

However, green stools can also be indicative of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or intestinal infections, and should be investigated and treated according to medical advice, especially if they do not disappear after 2 or 3 days.

Also check out what the color of the stool can say about your health.

Top 5 Causes

The formation of green feces can have several causes, mainly resulting from changes in the processing of bile, which makes the feces not have the characteristic brown color. Thus, the main causes of green stools are:

1. Consumption of green foods

The consumption of green foods, such as spinach, broccoli or lettuce, for example, or foods that contain green dye, can lead to the appearance of green stools. The green color in the stool due to feeding can happen in both adults and children. Know some green foods that can make feces that color.

What to do: If the green feces are related to the consumption of green foods, the best way to make the feces return to their normal color is to suspend the consumption of these foods for at least a while. The coloring also returns to normal as soon as the organism eliminates these foods, and is therefore not very worrying.

2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition characterized by inflammation of the intestinal villi that, in addition to abdominal pain, excessive gas production and swelling, can lead to the formation of green stools.

What to do: the treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is done mainly with changing habits, it is recommended to follow an adequate diet according to the guidance of a nutritionist, in addition to activities that can reduce stress and, thus, avoid worsening or progression of symptoms. Find out more details on how to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

3. Intestinal infection

Intestinal infections, whether by bacteria, such as Salmonella , or parasites such as Giardia lamblia , can lead to the formation of green stools. This is because it is common that in intestinal infections the intestinal transit becomes faster, reducing the time of exposure of bile to intestinal bacteria and digestive enzymes, which leads to green diarrhea. Learn about other causes of green diarrhea.

What to do: in case of intestinal infection, the doctor may recommend the use of medications according to the microorganism causing the infection, in addition to resting and drinking plenty of water.

4. Use of antibiotics

Some medications, especially antibiotics, can interfere with the amount of bacteria present in the intestinal tract, which interferes with the processing of bile. Bile is a greenish pigment that undergoes the action of intestinal bacteria and digestive enzymes acquires a brown color, which gives the stool its normal color.

In the case of consumption of some antibiotics, for example, the amount of bacteria present in the intestine can be changed, which causes the bile to continue to be greenish and give rise to green feces. In addition to antibiotics, other remedies, especially those that contain iron in their composition, can interfere with the processing of bile and originate green feces.

What to do: After the end of the medication use, it is important to observe if the feces are greenish in color. If they continue, it is important to go to the doctor so that the use of probiotics is indicated, for example. Find out what probiotic is and what it is for.

5. Meconium

Meconium corresponds to the baby's first feces, being formed during pregnancy. Meconium has a thick, viscous and greenish consistency, since the baby's intestinal microbiota is not yet fully developed, not having the essential bacteria necessary to act on the bile and, thus, make the stool darker. See other causes of green stools in the baby.

It is normal for the baby to release these stools in the first 24 hours after birth, with a progressive change in the color and consistency of the stools over the days due to the maturation of the intestinal tract. Learn more about meconium and what it means.

What to do: Meconium is normal in all babies, however, if there is no release of these green stools or if there is no change in the color and consistency of the stools over the days, it is important to take the baby to the pediatrician so that the cause can be investigated and, thus, define the treatment.

When to go to the doctor

It is recommended to go to the doctor when, in addition to the green stools, other symptoms appear, such as diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, presence of blood in the stools, headache or dizziness, for example, so that tests can be performed to define the cause of symptoms presented.

Watch the following video and learn how to collect feces correctly to perform the test:

In addition, it is important to go to the doctor when the green feces last for more than 3 days or do not disappear after the end of the use of a certain medication, for example.