Stool color: When to worry - Mayo Clinic
Oct 10, 2024 · Answer From Michael F. Picco, M.D. 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 — in your ...
Diarrhea - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Aug 3, 2024 · Diarrhea — loose, watery and possibly more-frequent passage of stool — is a common problem. Sometimes, it's the only symptom of a condition. At other times, it may be associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss. Luckily, diarrhea is usually short-lived, lasting no more than a few days.
Constipation - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Oct 20, 2023 · Constipation is a problem with passing stool. Constipation generally means passing fewer than three stools a week or having a difficult time passing stool. Constipation is fairly common. A lack of dietary fiber, fluids and exercise can cause constipation. But other medical conditions or certain medicines may be the cause.
Gastrointestinal bleeding - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Oct 13, 2023 · Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a sign of a disorder in the digestive tract. The blood often shows up in stool or vomit but isn't always obvious. Stool may look black or tarry. Bleeding can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening. Imaging technology or an endoscopic investigation can usually locate the cause of the bleeding.
Fecal incontinence - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Nov 3, 2022 · Fecal incontinence ranges from an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control. Fecal incontinence is sometimes called bowel incontinence. Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. The muscle or nerve damage may be associated with aging or with giving birth.
Fecal occult blood test - Mayo Clinic
Jul 12, 2024 · Fecal occult blood test is often shortened to FOBT. A fecal occult blood test is one option for colon cancer screening in people who don't have any symptoms. Occult blood in the stool may be a sign of cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum. Polyps are growths of cells that aren't cancers but could become cancers. Not all cancers or polyps bleed.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection - Mayo Clinic
May 5, 2022 · Several tests and procedures are used to determine whether you have Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Testing is important for detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Repeat testing after treatment is important to be sure H. pylori is gone. Tests may be done using a stool sample, through a breath test and by an upper endoscopy exam.
Constipation - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Oct 20, 2023 · Stool softeners such as docusate sodium (Colace) and docusate calcium allow more fluids to be drawn into the stool. Enemas and suppositories. An enema is a fluid gently pumped into the rectum to help pass stool. An enema may be used when other treatments don't work. Your health care professional may use one of these if the rectum is blocked ...
C. difficile infection - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Clostridioides difficile (klos-TRID-e-oi-deez dif-uh-SEEL) is a bacterium that causes an infection of the colon, the longest part of the large intestine. Symptoms can range from diarrhea to life-threatening damage to the colon. The bacterium is often called C. difficile or C. diff. Illness from C. difficile often occurs after using antibiotic ...
Diarrhea - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Aug 3, 2024 · To help you cope with your symptoms until the diarrhea goes away, try to do the following: Drink plenty of liquids, including water, broths and juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your stool returns to what's typical for you. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken.