What can cause green, dark, yellow or reddish poop

The color of the stool, as well as its shape and consistency, usually reflect the quality of the food and, therefore, are closely related to the type of food eaten. However, changes in color can also indicate intestinal problems or diseases, such as hepatitis or gastric ulcer, for example.

In normal situations, the stool should be brown in color, which should not be too dark, but it also does not have to be very light. However, any variation in color is very common and can happen without indicating a problem, as long as it does not last for more than 3 days, as it can vary according to the food eaten.

Therefore, if the alteration lasts longer, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist to identify if there is a problem and to initiate appropriate treatment, if necessary.

See what changes in stool shape and consistency can say about health.

1. Green stools

Green stools are more common when the intestine is functioning very fast and does not have enough time to properly digest bile salts, as during stressful situations, diarrhea due to bacterial infections or in irritable bowel crises, for example.

In addition, the dark green color can also appear when eating many green vegetables, such as spinach, or when supplementing iron, and this color is common in newborns. See more about the causes of green stools.

What to do: you should assess whether there is an increased intake of green vegetables or if you are taking a medicine with iron in its composition. If this is not the case, it is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist if the problem persists for more than 3 days.

2. Dark stools

Dark or black stools are usually accompanied by a much more foul than normal odor and can be a sign of bleeding somewhere along the digestive system, due to esophageal ulcers or varicose veins, for example. However, dark poop can also be produced by using iron supplements.

Find out what else can cause dark stools to appear.

What to do: if you are not taking supplements or medicines with iron, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist as soon as possible or go to the emergency room if other symptoms such as fever, excessive tiredness or vomiting appear.

3. Yellow stools

This type of poop is usually a sign of difficulty in digesting fat and, therefore, may be related to problems that decrease intestinal absorption capacity, such as Celiac disease, or be caused by the lack of enzyme production in the pancreas, which may indicate problems in this organ.

In addition, yellow poop can also appear in the case of intestinal infections, being accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, diarrhea and belly pain. Learn more about what can cause yellow stools.

What to do: one must be aware of other changes in the characteristics of the stool, such as consistency and shape, and if the change lasts more than 3 days it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist to identify the problem and start the appropriate treatment.

4. Reddish stools

This poop color usually indicates the presence of blood and, therefore, is more frequent in hemorrhoid situations, for example. However, bleeding can also occur due to infections, inflammatory problems, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, or more serious diseases, such as cancer.

See more about the causes of bright red blood in stools.

What to do: it is recommended to go to the emergency room or immediately consult a gastroenterologist to diagnose the problem and start the appropriate treatment.

5. Light stools

Light, or whitish, stools appear when there is a lot of difficulty in the digestive system to digest fat and, therefore, are an important sign of problems in the liver or bile ducts. See 11 other symptoms that may indicate liver problems.

What to do: it is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist to do diagnostic tests, such as tomography or ultrasound, diagnose the problem and start the appropriate treatment.

Changing the color of the stool in the baby

The baby's feces soon after birth have a dark greenish color and a sticky and elastic texture, which is called meconium. During the first days, the color becomes more greenish and then lighter, according to the amount of fat and water present in the milk he drinks. Generally, the faeces are watery, with some lumps, resembling the appearance of the faeces of ducks or chickens.

During the first 15 days it is common for babies to evacuate liquid stools 8 to 10 times a day, or every time they breastfeed. When the mother is constipated, it is possible for the child to pass more than one day without evacuating, but when evacuating, the feces must have the same watery and lumpy appearance.

At 6 months, or when the baby starts a diversified diet, the feces change color and consistency again, becoming more similar to the feces of a child or adult, both with regard to color, as well as consistency and aroma. This is because the digestive capacity is already becoming more complex and the foods he eats are increasingly similar to the foods of the rest of the family.

Know when changes in your baby's stool can indicate problems.