Why pale stools

See your doctor immediately if you have signs of jaundice because it may also be a symptom of liver disease. Brightly colored stools in children are usually caused by colorful foods like breakfast cereal.

However, pale, white, or clay-colored stools in children can be caused by something more serious. Some of the causes are:. Only your doctor can determine the exact cause and provide the proper treatment. If the cause is liver disease or a blocked bile duct, this can be life-threatening and may require surgery or medications. Your doctor may also perform tests to help diagnose the cause of your pale stools.

Possible tests include:. Once the underlying cause of pale stools is treated, your stools should return to a normal brown color. However, some causes, such as liver disease and some cancerous tumors, are incurable. If the cause is incurable, you will continue to have pale or clay-colored stools.

Some of the causes of pale stools are not preventable, but others are. Some forms of hepatitis have vaccines for prevention.

Alcoholic hepatitis can be prevented by not drinking alcohol in excess. If the cause is unknown, work toward having healthy bowel movements by eating a balanced diet that is high in fiber. Yellow stool may be caused by changes in your diet. It may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Here are seven possible causes. The details of your poop can provide clues to your state of health. Learn what the sight, smell, size, color, and shape of your poop can tell you. Stringy, or thin, poop may be caused by many different conditions. Learn more about what you should do if you have stringy stool. Is there an average number of times a day you should poop, and what are some of the factors that affect frequency? At-home microbiome testing kits can be a first step.

We look at these and give our recommendations for your overall gut health questions. Cholangitis is inflammation swelling in the bile duct. Treatment depends on your symptoms and whether you have chronic or acute cholangitis. Gastroparesis is a condition in which your stomach empties into your small intestine too slowly. Learn about the best diet for gastroparesis and what…. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and causes abdominal tenderness and pain.

Learn more. What does a gastroenterologist do, and when should you see one? Here's what you should know before making an appointment. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

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What would cause a person to have white stool? Should I be concerned? Answer From Elizabeth Rajan, M. Multimedia Gallbladder and bile duct. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again.

Show references Saxena R. Liver diseases of childhood. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed Oct. In newborns, cholestasis or any other problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas may be a medical emergency, so a caregiver should call their pediatrician right away. If the baby has other symptoms, turns yellow, or appears to be in pain, a caregiver must take them straight to the emergency room.

In older children who have no other symptoms, it is usually safe to wait for the next bowel movement. White or clay-colored stools during pregnancy usually indicate a problem with the gallbladder, liver, biliary ducts, or pancreas. Some women develop a pregnancy-related liver disease called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Doctors do not fully understand what causes cholestasis, but they think that pregnancy hormones might affect liver functioning. Treatment may include medication and frequent monitoring, including blood work and ultrasounds.

In some cases, a woman may need to give birth early. Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas can quickly become life-threatening. However, these diseases are usually treatable. The longer a problem with these important organs continues, the more likely it is to cause lasting harm or damage other organs. So it is important to err on the side of caution and quickly see a doctor for pale stool.

An adult who only has a pale stool and no other symptoms can wait until the next bowel movement before they call a doctor. If the pale stool persists, they might be wise to see a doctor within a day. If there are other symptoms, such as pain, dark urine, turning yellow, vomiting, or a fever, it is best to seek urgent treatment.

One pale stool is usually nothing to worry about, but frequent pale stools can indicate diseases of the liver, pancreas, or gallbladder. In some cases, treatment can help a person feel better within a day or two. Other underlying conditions require long-term management. A look at different types of poop, which has a range of consistencies and odors. Learn more about the different types and what they mean here. Giardiasis, or beaver fever, is a parasitic infection of the gut that leads to abdominal discomfort and watery diarrhea.

People often catch it when…. How much, and how often should…. Green poop usually results from eating certain foods, but if poop turns green or another color for unknown reasons, a person should seek medical….

Pale stool: Causes and treatments. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Causes In children During pregnancy When to see a doctor Summary Many things can change the color of stool, including vitamins, infections, and certain foods. Causes of pale stool. Pale stool in children. Share on Pinterest Breastfed babies will generally have light-colored stools. Pale stool during pregnancy.