What Does It Mean When Your Bowel Movement Is White

What Does It Mean When Your Bowel Movement Is White – Clinically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — by Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito — updated January 14, 2022

Stool sometimes passes through the colon very slowly, which allows the colon to absorb more water. Stools may become hard and dry and may be painful or difficult to pass.

What Does It Mean When Your Bowel Movement Is White

Hard stools can be attributed to lifestyle factors such as a person’s diet or activity levels or medications they take. Hard stools can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diabetes. In most cases, people can use home remedies to soften stools and relieve constipation.

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This article explains what causes hard stools, how to treat constipation, and when to talk to a doctor. We also provide information on the effects of hard stools on infants and toddlers.

The large intestine, or “colon,” absorbs water from the food that passes through it during digestion. When food moves too slowly through the colon, the colon can absorb too much water from the stool. This results in hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass.

Most healthy people have bowel movements three times a day and three times a week. When the body digests food inefficiently, a person’s normal bowel movement pattern can slow down. This makes it difficult to pass hard stools. The longer the stool stays inside the colon, the harder it becomes.

The Bristol Stool Chart helps people identify problems with bowel movements by comparing the shape and consistency of their stools:

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Many babies and children experience hard stools. Painful bowel movements can cause the child to avoid bowel movements, which can make the problem worse.

Severe and chronic constipation in a child or infant can cause partial intestinal obstruction. The blockage causes pain, which can lead to fecal incontinence. It can also impair a child’s ability to recognize when they need to use the bathroom.

Parents and caregivers should talk to a doctor before giving children constipation medications. Some of these medicines contain ingredients that may not be safe for children and babies.

Not having regular, smooth bowel movements and not taking any treatment for constipation can lead to problems such as:

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Occasional constipation is normal and does not indicate an underlying health problem. However, a person should talk to a doctor if they experience any of the following:

A parent or guardian should also tell the doctor if a child cannot pass stools for several days or if the child seems to be in a lot of pain due to hard stools.

Chronic, untreated constipation can lead to complications, so it is important for a person to receive prompt treatment for hard stools.

Hard stools form when food passes through the colon too slowly. They are painful and unpleasant for both adults and children. In children, hard stools can also lead to fecal incontinence and delayed potty training.

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Rarely, hard stools are usually uncomfortable. People who experience this symptom from time to time may find it beneficial to drink more water, eat more fruit and fiber, and exercise more.

When hard stools become a chronic problem, it is important to see a doctor. Proper treatment can resolve the problem quickly and prevent serious complications.

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies only on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using third-party referrals. We link to primary sources, including studies, scientific references and statistics in each article and list them in the Resources section below our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our Editorial Policy. Clinically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavousti, MPAS, PA-C — by Jayne Leonard — updated January 10, 2023

Feces, faeces, or faeces contain waste products such as undigested food particles, bacteria, and salts. If a bowel movement is hard, slippery, or has an unusual color, it may indicate a health problem that needs attention.

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Sometimes poop can change color, texture, amount, and smell. These differences can be concerning, but in general, these changes are not significant and resolve within a day or two. Other times, however, changes in the stool may indicate a more serious condition.

Read on to learn more about the different types of poop, both typical and non-typical.

Created by doctors at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in England and based on the bowel movements of nearly 2,000 people, the Bristol Stool Chart represents different types of poo, as shown above.

Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 healthy stool, while types 5-7 indicate diarrhea and urgency.

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Black stools, especially if they are tarry in appearance, indicate gastrointestinal bleeding. Other substances can also cause black stools, including:

If the stool is white, gray or pale, a person may have a liver or gallbladder problem, as pale stool indicates a lack of bile. Some antidiarrheal medications can cause white stools.

Spinach, kale, or other green foods can cause green stools. However, green stools indicate too much bile and a lack of bilirubin in the poop.

Reddish poop can be the result of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. A small amount of blood in the stool indicates hemorrhoids.

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Eating beetroot or red fruits or drinking beetroot or tomato juice can also make the stool red. After these foods pass through the digestive system, the stool should turn brown.

However, blocked bile ducts or certain medications, including some antacids and the antibiotic rifampicin, can cause orange poop.

If the stool appears yellow or greasy, the stool contains too much fat. This can be caused by absorption problems or difficulty producing enzymes or bile.

Most people experience variations in stool color at some point. It is usually caused by food or other minor causes.

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However, if someone experiences stool color changes for 2 or more weeks or has red or black stools, they should see a doctor.

If parents or guardians notice any changes in their baby’s stool, this is usually not a cause for concern, but they can consult a pediatrician for further advice.

There are many reasons why a person may experience stools that are different from normal, including:

Stress can trigger and worsen digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This affects how quickly food moves through the body, which can cause diarrhea or constipation in some people.

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Not drinking enough water and other fluids can cause constipation because the stool needs more moisture to move

Fiber acts as a binding material to shape the stool. It also helps stool move smoothly through the digestive system. A diet low in high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can lead to intestinal problems.

People who are intolerant or allergic to certain foods may frequently experience diarrhea, constipation, or other abnormal stool symptoms when consuming problematic foods.

For example, people who are lactose intolerant often experience diarrhea if they have milk, while people with celiac disease have an adverse reaction to gluten.

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In addition to the causes of constipation mentioned above, it can also be caused by simple lifestyle changes or physical inactivity or excessive use of laxatives.

People should seek medical attention immediately if the stool is bright red, black, or tarry. These symptoms indicate blood loss, which can become a medical emergency if left untreated.

A well-functioning digestive system is essential to health and well-being. It also indicates that a person is following a balanced diet.

Persistent stool abnormalities can lead to complications. For example, persistent diarrhea can lead to nutritional deficiencies or, in severe cases, malnutrition, while constipation can lead to intestinal obstruction.

Poos And Wees

A person’s stool is brown in color, soft in texture and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in their poop, they should monitor the changes and see a doctor if the problem does not resolve within 2 weeks.

To promote bowel function, a person should eat a high-fiber diet, exercise regularly, reduce stress, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies only on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using third-party referrals. We link to primary sources, including studies, scientific references and statistics in each article and list them in the Resources section below our articles. You can learn more about how we make sure our content is accurate and up-to-date by reading our editorial policy. , which describes the different types of poo. Learn what’s behind the different colors and consistencies of poop and how often you should poop for your digestion and overall health.

This is a valid question. Sometimes you may notice that you have different colored poop or poop shapes. Other times, you may find passing easy (and dare I say, enjoyable), other times, not so much.

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Healthy stools can be a sign that your digestive system is working properly, but abnormal poop is a sign that something is wrong. Read on to find out what the different types of poop are

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