Stool Symptoms

What are the signs of stool problems?

Changes in the color, consistency, size and frequency of stool can be a normal occurrence related to dietary changes. Stool symptoms often resolve on their own; those that last more than a few days may be related to a digestive tract condition.

Stool is normally brown due to the digestion of bile salts, which are produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. A reduction in bile salts due to liver disease, gall stones, and other conditions causes the stool to be pale. Dark stool can be due to dark foods, medications, or supplements, or may be due to digestive tract bleeding, which can result in red, maroon, or even black, tarry stool.

Floating stools, which may be bulky and unusually foul smelling, typically contain gas, which may be due to diet, infection, or absorption problems in the intestine. A greasy or oily appearance can be due to fat in the stool. Pus in the stool is an indication of infection. Mucus in the stool can be related to infection, inflammation, cancer, constipation, or conditions of the anus or rectum. Frequent, loosely-formed stool can be related to diet, medications, infection, inflammation, or food poisoning.

Narrowing of the colon, rectum, or anus from cancer, polyps, scarring, or other conditions can cause thin stool. An incomplete blockage of the intestines can cause diarrhea, as watery stool may be the only stool that can travel through it. Constipation followed by diarrhea can be related to fecal impaction, in which a large mass of hard stool forms in the rectum, preventing solid material from passing.

Stool symptoms that persist or are accompanied by severe symptoms may be due to a serious condition. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you have bloody stool or vomit, black or tarry stool, stool with pus, severe abdominal pain, high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit), profuse sweating, change in level of consciousness, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), decreased urination, or excessive thirst.

If your stool symptoms are persistent or cause you concern, seek prompt medical care.