Ebola Virus: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

What Causes Yellow Stool?

Stool is usually brown because of a balance of bilirubin and bile. Some conditions can cause bright yellow or pale yellow poop or diarrhea. Possible causes include dietary factors, stress, celiac disease, and more.

Stools may change color for various reasons, including a person's diet and various underlying medical conditions. Yellow is a normal variation of stool color in infants.

Changes in stool color are also normal. Watch for consistent changes over time and consult with a doctor if other symptoms are present.

This article will outline the causes of yellow stool in adults and infants, complications, and when to see a doctor.

A person's diet and the level of bile present in the stool directly influence a person's stool color. Bile is yellow-green, and as it travels through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, enzymes cause changes that turn it brown.

All shades of brown-colored stool are normal. If a person's stool is red or black, or other changes remain longer than 2 weeks or come with other symptoms, they should consult a doctor.

Green: Eating leafy green vegetables, green food coloring, iron supplements, or diarrhea moving food through the intestine too quickly may cause this color.

Yellow, pale brown, or gray: Giardiasis can cause bright yellow diarrhea. Pale yellow or gray stool can result from problems in the liver or gallbladder.

Orange: Eating carrots, winter squash, antibiotics, or antacids could cause this color.

Blue: Usually the result of eating artificially blue foods or drinking blue beverages.

Black, tarry: Eating black licorice or taking iron supplements, and bleeding in the upper GI tract, cirrhosis, or colorectal cancer can also cause black stool. Medication containing bismuth subsalicylate, better known as Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate, can also cause black, tarry stools.

Bright red: Eating or drinking red, artificially colored food or drinks can cause this. Certain conditions can cause bleeding in the upper GI tract, such as cirrhosis or GI tumors. Hemorrhoids can cause bleeding in the lower GI tract and cause stool to be red.

Possible causes of yellow stool include:

Diet

Since the GI tract processes food for elimination, what a person eats can affect the color of their stool.

Carrots, sweet potatoes, turmeric, and foods that contain yellow food coloring may cause stool to become yellow. A diet high in fat or gluten can also lead to yellow stool.

If a person regularly has yellow stools, they should try avoiding fatty, processed foods, gluten, or anything that causes an upset stomach.

Stress

As a result, the body may not be able to absorb all of the nutrients in food, which may lead to diarrhea or yellow stool.

Taking steps to relieve stress by reducing commitments, practicing yoga, or seeing a therapist may help reduce physical symptoms.

Celiac disease

If people with celiac disease eat gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley, their immune system responds by attacking the tissues of their small intestine.

This immune response causes tissue damage and compromises the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients.

In addition to yellow or pale stools, symptoms of celiac disease include:

There is no cure for celiac disease, but a person can effectively manage the condition by avoiding gluten.

Disorders of the pancreas

Disorders of the pancreas can cause yellow or pale stool. Some of these disorders include:

In people with these conditions, the pancreas cannot provide enough enzymes for the intestines to digest food. Undigested fat can lead to yellow stool that also appears greasy or frothy.

Liver disorders

Bile salts are essential for the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. The removal of these salts can result in yellow stools.

Gallbladder disorders

abdominal pain

a fast heartbeat

an abrupt drop in blood pressure

jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes

pale stool

Treatment will depend on the specific gallbladder issue. The treatment for gallstones, for example, may include medication to dissolve the stones. In some cases, a person may need surgery.

Gilbert syndrome

Gilbert syndrome is a genetic liver disorder. People with Gilbert syndrome have periods when their bilirubin levels are too high. Symptoms include mild jaundice and pale stools.

However, the symptoms can be so mild that most people do not notice them or know they have the condition.

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a common intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite. A person can contract the Giardia parasite by ingesting Giardia cysts, usually through contaminated food or water.

A doctor can diagnose giardiasis by testing a person's stool samples. Treatment involves antibiotics, and the symptoms can last for up to a few weeks. In rare cases, the infection can be long term.

Yellow stool by itself does not lead to complications, but the underlying cause of it might.

Malabsorption of fat can lead to an increased fat content in stools, which can be pale, large, foul-smelling, and loose. This is known as steatorrhea, and complications may include:

The cause of yellow stool is usually related to a person's diet, but it can also result from underlying health problems.

Some health problems can lead to malabsorption and malnutrition, which can cause a loss of important vitamins and nutrients.

It is essential to look out for additional symptoms and see a doctor if the yellow color persists. The treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

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