Stool color: When to worry - Mayo Clinic Stool comes in a range of colors All shades of brown and even green are considered typical Only rarely does stool color indicate a possibly serious intestinal condition Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile — a yellow-green fluid that digests fats
White stool: Should I be concerned? - Mayo Clinic White stool isn't typical If you have white stool, you should see a medical professional right away A lack of bile causes white or clay-like stool That may mean a serious underlying problem Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder Stool gets its typical
Giardia infection (giardiasis) - Symptoms causes - Mayo Clinic Giardia parasites live in the intestines of people and animals Before the microscopic parasites are passed in stool, they become encased within hard shells called cysts, which allows them to survive outside the intestines for months
Proctitis - Symptoms causes - Mayo Clinic Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum The rectum is a muscular tube that's connected to the end of your colon
Nonprescription laxatives for constipation: Use with caution If you've ever been constipated, you may have tried nonprescription laxatives A number of factors can disrupt the bowels and cause constipation These include diet, fluid intake, physical activity and several medicines Many different types of laxatives are available without a prescription They
Fecal occult blood test - Mayo Clinic A fecal occult blood test looks for blood in a sample of stool It can find tiny amounts of blood that can't be seen just by looking at the stool The medical term for this hidden blood is occult blood Fecal occult blood test is often shortened to FOBT A fecal occult blood test is one option for