What Causes Light Colored Stool

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.

Is light brown stool normal?

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 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 does it mean when you have pale poop?

When the stool is very pale, it often means that not enough bile is reaching the stool. Problems with the gallbladder, pancreas, or liver are reasons why stool may not contain enough bile. People who have consistently pale stools may want to talk to a doctor about conditions that affect these organs.

What color is stool with pancreatitis?

Chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, a blockage in the pancreatic duct, or cystic fibrosis can also turn your stool yellow. These conditions prevent your pancreas from providing enough of the enzymes your intestines need to digest food.

Why is my poop light brown almost yellow?

Yellow/Pale Brown/Grey: Bright yellow diarrhea can signify a condition known as Giardiasis (see sidebar). Stool that is yellow or pale can also result from reduced production of bile salts, since a normal, brown-coloured stool acquires its hue from breaking down bile.

Does IBS cause light colored stool?

Yellow stool and IBS anxiety When you have IBS you might be accustomed to changes in stool size and consistency, but a change in color might be initially alarming. In many cases, it is unlikely that it is a change that should cause concern. However, for many people, anxiety can be an IBS trigger.

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.

What does unhealthy poop look like?

Types of abnormal poop pooping too often (more than three times daily) not pooping often enough (less than three times a week) excessive straining when pooping. poop that is colored red, black, green, yellow, or white.

Can dehydration cause Pale poop?

Symptoms of dehydration such as decreased urination, increased thirst, fatigue, and light-headedness, also require immediate medical care. 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.

What do long skinny poops mean?

Narrowing of the stool may be due to a mass in the colon or rectum that limits the size of the stool that can pass through it. Conditions that cause diarrhea can also cause pencil thin stools. Persistent pencil thin stool, which may be solid or loose, is one of the symptoms of colorectal polyps or cancer.

What does odorless poop mean?

It’s perfectly normal for poop to have an unpleasant odor. The smell comes from bacteria in the colon that help break down digested food. Poop may smell different due to changes in your diet.

What does your poop look like if you have pancreatitis?

When pancreatic disease messes with the organ’s ability to properly manufacture those enzymes, your stool looks paler and becomes less dense. You may also notice your poop is oily or greasy. “The toilet water will have a film that looks like oil,” Dr. Hendifar says.

What does Crohn’s poop look like?

A person may notice that their stools are very hard or come out in small clumps. Blood in the stool: Anal fissures or constipation may cause traces of red blood in the stools. Dark, tarry stools indicate that a person may be bleeding higher in the gastrointestinal tract, which is a medical emergency.

What does pancreatic pain feel like?

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

Does fatty liver cause yellow stool?

Liver disease can interfere with bile salt production, and anything that blocks the bile ducts can prevent bile salts from reaching the intestines. Fats can also cause the stool to be yellow.

What does yellow poop indicate?

Yellow stool is usually due to dietary changes or food colors. However, if the color change continues for several days or other symptoms are present as well, it is best to see a doctor. A person should see a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms with yellow stool: a fever.

Why does GERD cause yellow stools?

Yellow Stool or Diarrhea In addition, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and those taking medication for GERD sometimes have yellow poop. In some cases, yellow poop can mean there is excess fat in the stool—a condition known as steatorrhea.

Can acid reflux cause light-colored stools?

GERD occurs when the contents of the stomach repeatedly move back into the esophagus, causing inflammation and damage. This condition is also called acid reflux disease and often causes a person to experience heartburn. It can also cause a change in the color of a person’s stool.

What does celiac poop look like?

Diarrhea. Although people often think of diarrhea as watery stool, people with celiac disease sometimes simply have stools that are a bit looser than usual – and more frequent. Typically, diarrhea associated with celiac disease occurs after eating.

Why is my cat’s poop light tan?

Color of Your Cat’s Poop Tan or light brown can be an indication of liver or pancreatic issues, he says, but diets high in fiber will also produce a lighter-colored stool.