Stool examination is performed in order to be able to diagnose diseases of the digestive system. During the examination, the parameters of the stool are determined - its appearance, color and consistency, as well as the possible presence of blood.

It is recommended that three days before thestool testnot eat meat, especially raw meat, take no anti-parasitic drugs, or take vitamin C, iron andaspirin. The stool sample (about 2 mm) should be put into a special container.

When we do a stool test

Stool examination is performed on suspicion:

  • pancreatic diseases
  • infectious diseases of the digestive system
  • enteritis
  • bowel cancer
  • stomach ulcer

As evidenced by the color of the stool

Normal stool is semi-soft, with no undigested food particles. It should also not dirty the toilet bowl after draining the water. It is usually brown in color. The brown dye called stercobilin is responsible for this color, and its main source is our blood.

  • Light, yellowish stool. This color indicates that bile produced in the liver is difficult to excrete into the gastrointestinal tract. This phenomenon is known as cholestasis. It is often accompanied by jaundice, darkening of the color of urine to brown, and generalized itching of the skin. The cause of the duct blockage may be a gallstone, cancer of the bladder, bile ducts or pancreas. Severe liver damage can also lighten the color of the stools.
  • Dark, tarry stool. The discoloration of the stools may also be the result of a gastrointestinal haemorrhage. When its source is in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum, the blood is haemolysed and the staining is tarry black. If the source of the bleeding is further down the gut, the blood stays dark red. If there is little of it, it most often comes from haemorrhoids. In such a situation, the doctor orders blood count and iron concentration tests as well as routine endoscopic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract. Most often they decide on the source of the bleeding.
  • Greenish color - loose greenish stools generally indicate an intestinal infection
Important

The color of your stool is also influenced by your diet. When we eat beetroots, the faeces turn red, while berries - black. When we use preparationsaluminum antacids our feces may be whitish, and after preparations containing iron or bismuth - gray or black. Some herbal remedies stain stools green, and anti-tuberculosis rifampicin orange. It is important to remember that any disturbing stool color should be consulted with your doctor immediately.

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Research