A person should also see a doctor if their symptoms get progressively worse, stools are pale, bulky, very offensive smelling and difficult to flush away (this may indicate a problem with absorbing fat), or if they are concerned about their symptoms.
IBS is also known to cause yellow stool. It is considered a separate issue from anxiety, but the two have been linked in many studies and many of those with IBS appear to have developed some type of anxiety disorder.
For those with IBS, stool colour can be more of a concern. This can change depending on the presence/severity of symptoms. It is common for those experiencing a flare up in symptoms such as bloating to potentially see a change in stool colour. Other factors that may contribute are dietary changes and medications.
It's important to note that aside from shape and texture, the presence of white or cloudy mucus in your stool may also point to IBS. But here's what's not associated with IBS: Blood in your stool. IBS-like symptoms accompanied by a fever.
If you have IBS with diarrhea, you will have frequent, loose, watery stools. You may have an urgent need to have a bowel movement, which may be hard to control. If you have IBS with constipation, you will have a hard time passing stool, as well as fewer bowel movements.
Stools that are pale, clay, or putty-colored may be due to problems in the biliary system. The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs.
Take a look at the types below and the difference in each IBS stool colour: IBS-C (IBS with constipation) – likely to have a darker brown stool colour. IBS-D (IBS with diarrhoea) – likely to have a yellow stool colour. IBS-M (mixed – alternates between constipation and diarrhoea)
IBS stools can vary in appearance based on whether you have constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), or mixed-type IBS (IBS-M). IBS stools can be: Hard, lumpy, and difficult to pass. Soft, loose, and watery.
Most of the time, poop that's a different color from what you're used to isn't something to worry about. It's rare for it to be a sign of a serious condition in your digestive system. But if it's white, bright red, or black, and you don't think it's from something you ate, call your doctor.
Light-Colored Poop
If your poop is light-colored, yellow, clay-colored, or very light brown, this may be a sign of: An infection or inflammation (swelling) in your gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. Alcoholic hepatitis, which is inflammation in your liver caused by alcohol consumption.
In some cases, however , narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is another condition that may cause changes in the size of your stools, so that they're smaller, larger or narrower than usual.
Symptoms of Malabsorption
When there is inadequate absorption of fats in the digestive tract, stool contains excess fat and is light-colored, soft, bulky, greasy, and unusually foul-smelling (such stool is called steatorrhea).
The only colors that may relate to disease are red, black and white. All other colors are not due to a medical problem. Normal stools are not always dark brown. Sometimes they are light brown, tan or yellow.
Can a colonoscopy detect IBS? No, a colonoscopy can't detect IBS, a condition also known as irritable bowel syndrome.
They may be hard and small, pencil-thin, or loose and watery. The way stools pass changes. You may strain, feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement, or feel that you haven't completely passed a stool. You may have bloating or a feeling of gas in the intestines.
White stool isn't normal and should be evaluated promptly by a doctor. White or clay-like stool is caused by a lack of bile, which may indicate a serious underlying problem. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
If your pale stools are caused by something structural, like blocked bile ducts, you may need surgery to remove the blockage or widen the passageway. Hepatitis may require antivirals, while a liver transplant is the only way to resolve cirrhosis.
Pale Poop Color
Bile salts in the intestines give stool its usual brown color. If your poop color is light (either pale, white, grey, or clay-colored), there could be a lack of bile in the stool.
Peanut butter-colored poop is a symptom of fat malabsorption when your digestive system has trouble breaking and absorbing the fats from food. This problem can affect your organ, so you need to be concerned. As far as the color is concerned, peanut butter with a brown hue is normal.
Yellow stool can indicate that food is passing through the digestive tract relatively quickly. Yellow stool can be found in people with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, chest pain, sore throat, chronic cough, and wheezing.
Fatty liver disease: If you notice dark urine and pale poo, seek urgent medical attention.
When the stool is very pale, it often means that not enough bile is reaching the stool. Stools may contain low bile levels if there is a problem with the gallbladder, pancreas, or liver. People with consistently pale stools may want to talk with a doctor about conditions that affect these organs.
Malabsorption can occur when the pancreatic enzymes or bile does not travel in sufficient quantities to the small intestine. The result is a fatty stool that may float or be difficult to flush. The stool may also be white or very pale.