Possible Reasons Why Your Poo Is Green - Is This OK?
It can be worrying when a green stool color change takes place, and more so as it is not an easy subject to talk about with friends or colleagues.
Although, when what is seen to be normal (a brown stool) suddenly changes, questions still need to be answered.
Usually, a green stool is nothing major to be worried about; however, under certain circumstances it can point to an underlying problem where medical attention may be needed.
There are many reasons for such changes, with the following being the cause of most: 1.
By eating a lot of green leafy vegetables which have a high content of iron (spinach and broccoli in particular), the chlorophyll (the green pigment found in most plants) can cause the stool to change color (iron supplements can have the same effect).
2.
Artificial food colorants that are commonly found in certain sweets, fizzy drinks, ice pops, ice creams, gelatine, and cake icing, etc.
are also another cause for green stool changes (green, blue, and dark purple are the principal colors).
3.
When bile passes through the large intestine too quickly (bile is made by the liver, and stored in the gallbladder, before being released into the small intestine), it remains green (bile only changes brown when it goes through the large intestine normally).
Causes may include: diarrhea, and the side-effects of using laxatives (often used when constipated).
However, excess bile may also be a contributor to a green colored stool.
Bile gets released after a fatty meal to help break-down fat particles (sometimes an excess is created).
4.
Salmonella (bacteria) poisoning may also cause the stool to change color.
This is usually when either undercooked food (meats [chicken and pork]), or un-fresh dairy products are consumed.
Drinking contaminated water may also have the same effect.
5.
More serious conditions that may caused stool changes are intestinal infections and disorders which may be related to various underlying causes.
However, such infections and disorders are usually accompanied with stomach pains and diarrhea.
Usually, green stool changes are temporary; although, they may still indicate bad dietary habits, such as: eating too much junk food with high levels of colorants (eating too much green vegetables is not the case here).
Dietary habits can be improved by changing to rich in fiber foods, drinking plenty of water, and introducing an adequate exercise regime.
Warning: A continued green stool, together with pains and chronic diarrhea (after ruling out any of the previously mentioned causes) should be investigated as soon as possible.
Although, when what is seen to be normal (a brown stool) suddenly changes, questions still need to be answered.
Usually, a green stool is nothing major to be worried about; however, under certain circumstances it can point to an underlying problem where medical attention may be needed.
There are many reasons for such changes, with the following being the cause of most: 1.
By eating a lot of green leafy vegetables which have a high content of iron (spinach and broccoli in particular), the chlorophyll (the green pigment found in most plants) can cause the stool to change color (iron supplements can have the same effect).
2.
Artificial food colorants that are commonly found in certain sweets, fizzy drinks, ice pops, ice creams, gelatine, and cake icing, etc.
are also another cause for green stool changes (green, blue, and dark purple are the principal colors).
3.
When bile passes through the large intestine too quickly (bile is made by the liver, and stored in the gallbladder, before being released into the small intestine), it remains green (bile only changes brown when it goes through the large intestine normally).
Causes may include: diarrhea, and the side-effects of using laxatives (often used when constipated).
However, excess bile may also be a contributor to a green colored stool.
Bile gets released after a fatty meal to help break-down fat particles (sometimes an excess is created).
4.
Salmonella (bacteria) poisoning may also cause the stool to change color.
This is usually when either undercooked food (meats [chicken and pork]), or un-fresh dairy products are consumed.
Drinking contaminated water may also have the same effect.
5.
More serious conditions that may caused stool changes are intestinal infections and disorders which may be related to various underlying causes.
However, such infections and disorders are usually accompanied with stomach pains and diarrhea.
Usually, green stool changes are temporary; although, they may still indicate bad dietary habits, such as: eating too much junk food with high levels of colorants (eating too much green vegetables is not the case here).
Dietary habits can be improved by changing to rich in fiber foods, drinking plenty of water, and introducing an adequate exercise regime.
Warning: A continued green stool, together with pains and chronic diarrhea (after ruling out any of the previously mentioned causes) should be investigated as soon as possible.
