What is Color (Stool)?

• The normal stool (poop, feces) usually is light to dark brown.
• Although changes in stool color or texture may be normal, most changes should be evaluated.
• The symptoms associated with stool color changes, if any, are the symptoms of the underlying cause of the change, for example, foods, drinks, or illnesses such as:
  • Diet (beets, diets rich in green vegetables, licorice)
  • Bismuth (for example, Pepto-Bismol)
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn's disease
  • Tumors
  • Diverticular disease
  • Cancers
  • Hemorrhoids
• Stool that is an unusual color may be due to diarrhea; bleeding in the intestine; intestine, pancreas, or liver diseases; and medications
• Green stool or poop is a common stool color change. It may be due to bile pigment in the stool because diarrhea moves food too quickly through the intestine so the intestinal chemicals and bacteria can't break down the bile pigment to its normal brown color, or the green color may be due to certain foods like green, leafy vegetables or green food coloring.
• Red or black poop may be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract (from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon) and should not be ignored.
• When stool color changes, what tests need to be done depends upon what cause is suspected for the stool color change. For example, gastrointestinal tract endoscopy may be required to evaluate red or black stools if bleeding is suspected.
• The treatment for stool color changes in the treatment of the underlying cause.

What are the symptoms of stool color changes?

Changes in stool color alone do not cause symptoms. The underlying cause of the change in stool color, texture, or form is responsible for any symptoms.