Bile is what gives your poop its brown color. If your liver or gallbladder are having trouble making bile or if the bile is blocked from getting out, your stool may have a pale or yellowish color and your poop may be diarrhea at times.
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.
Yellow Poop
Fat absorption can be disrupted by parasites, illnesses or congenital diseases causing inflammation in the pancreas. Yellow poop is usually a sign of a medical problem that needs attention. If your yellow stool is present for more than two days, contact your doctor.
Most stomach bugs are always followed by pale stools or diarrhoea. If you're experiencing either of these symptoms, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Why do people get stomach bugs? Stomach bugs, also known as gastroenteritis, are caused by a variety of viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
There may be times when your poop looks more yellow than brown. This shade is also normal for many people. It's common for babies, especially those who breastfeed. But if you have yellow poop that looks greasy and smells very bad, it may have too much fat. That could be a sign your body isn't digesting food properly.
Yellowish brown or yellow bowel movements may be alarming, but in many cases changes in color can be attributed to diet. Food that is high in yellow pigment or containing artificial food coloring can cause yellow bowel movements. Taking antibiotics can also make bowel movements yellow.
Gastroenteritis (gastro) is a bowel infection that causes diarrhoea (runny, watery poo) and sometimes vomiting. The vomiting may settle quickly, but the diarrhoea can last up to 10 days.
Black or tarry bowel movements are usually caused by erosive gastritis.
Gastroenteritis symptoms usually last for 1 to 2 days, but occasionally they may persist for as long as 10 days. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the diarrhoea and vomiting Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
Yellow stool may be caused by: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections that may be causing malabsorption. One of the most common is giardiasis (also called giardia infection), caused by a microscopic waterborne parasite.
Green stool can also be a sign of food poisoning. It may also mean that food is moving too quickly through your large intestine and is common in people with conditions like colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Some people may experience yellow diarrhea or smelly poop after gallbladder removal. The larger amounts of bile reaching the colon may cause irritation resulting in diarrhea with a yellow hue. The increased amounts of bile salt can also make one's bowel movements have a more potent smell as well.
What does yellow, liquid diarrhea mean? Yellow diarrhea can mean several things. It could be caused by a problem with one of your digestive organs, including your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. It could also be caused by a germ, like a bacteria or virus, or a parasite.
If the pancreas is inflamed, it may not produce enough bile, which can lead to white or pale-colored stool. In most cases, white stool after a stomach bug will go away. However, if it persists for more than a week, it is important to see a doctor.
A more specific sign you may have gastritis is vomiting blood or a coffee ground-like substance. If you are seeing either of these in your vomit, seem medical treatment immediately. Lastly, you may experience black, tarry stools, which can help differentiate gastritis from other maladies.
Stomach flu causes gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps and nausea. You might also call it a “stomach bug.” A stomach bug isn't always a virus — sometimes it's bacteria or a parasite — but in any case, the symptoms are similar. You might not be able to tell if your bug is a virus or not.
Drink 8-10 cups of fluid per day, like water, broth, half-strength juice, weak tea, or electrolyte replacement drinks. Eat small frequent meals slowly during the day. Try sources of soluble fibre to help firm up stool. Limit fried or fatty foods since these can worsen diarrhea.
Bile acid malabsorption is a problem in your intestines. It causes chronic, watery diarrhea. Bile acids (bile salts) that aren't absorbed properly in your small intestine pass to your large intestine (colon) where they trigger diarrhea symptoms. You can treat the symptoms with bile acid sequestrants.