Why Is My Poop Green? – Cleveland Clinic

There’s an expectation as to what you’ll see in the bathroom after pooping. So while you look down into the water and spot one thing shiny inexperienced… nicely, it’s protected to say a number of questions may enter your thoughts.

For solutions, let’s flip to gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD.

Do you have to fear in case your poop is inexperienced?

Let’s begin with a primary truth: You’re not alone to find an unexpectedly verdant sprint of coloration in the bathroom bowl following a splashdown. “The colour and shade of a bowel motion can differ day-to-day,” says Dr. Lee. “It’s like life — at all times altering and by no means the identical.”

So what causes it? Let’s take a look at some potential Technicolor triggers.

Inexperienced food regimen = inexperienced poop

What you’re consuming is the most certainly rationalization for inexperienced poop — particularly for those who are likely to nibble on backyard fares equivalent to broccoli, kale and spinach. The chlorophyll that provides these greens their inexperienced coloration can do the identical to your poop.

Different potential foods and drinks sources that would make you go inexperienced embody:

• Blueberries or different blue or purple fruit and veggies.
• Inexperienced fruits equivalent to avocados, inexperienced apples and honeydew melon.
• Hemp seeds.
• Herbs equivalent to basil, cilantro and parsley.
• Matcha (powdered inexperienced tea).
• Pistachios.

A much less natural drive — inexperienced meals dye — additionally may very well be behind the Hulk-like hue on a #2. (Contemplate this the consequence of consuming a St. Patrick’s Day cupcake with unnaturally shiny inexperienced frosting.)

In any food-related case, the funky tint ought to disappear inside a day or two as soon as the supply is flushed out of your system, says Dr. Lee.

Drugs

Antibiotics can result in small — and probably colourful — adjustments to the way in which your physique digests meals. The rationale? The remedy can alter the micro organism flora in your intestine, which may add a greenish tint to what comes out.

Some drugs might upset your abdomen, too, leading to bile-filled diarrhea that appears a bit inexperienced.

Infections or well being situations

“Turning inexperienced” has lengthy been a phrase used to explain somebody exhibiting indicators of an sickness. The identical might be stated of your poop, too, notes Dr. Lee.

Greenish stool may point out that you’ve got a bacterial an infection (salmonella or E. coli, for instance), viral an infection (norovirus) or a parasite (Giardia) inflicting a fast transit “gush” of unabsorbed bile.

Inexperienced poop additionally may very well be a symptom of:

One phrase of warning, although, earlier than you begin fretting on the drop of a doo-doo: “All of those well being points are attainable, however they’re not the norm,” says Dr. Lee. “For those who really feel completely effective and don’t have diarrhea, a special coloration bowel motion is most certainly linked to one thing you ate.”

Different coloured poop

Any number of colors from the crayon field can pop up in your poop, says Dr. Lee. Fruits and meals dyes provide a rainbow of choices and are sometimes the commonest reason for non-brown stool.

Nevertheless, there are medical points typically related to sure colours:

• Reddish poop may very well be an indication of rectal bleeding and points equivalent to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel illness, ulcers and even colorectal most cancers.
• Blackish poop might by a byproduct of taking iron supplements or (consider it or not) Pepto-Bismol®. Blood that makes its manner by way of your digestive system from the higher digestive tract, probably from abdomen ulcers, additionally may very well be an element.
• Yellowish or grayish poop may sign liver, gallbladder or pancreas problems.

When do you have to contact your physician?

As talked about, colourful poop isn’t all that distinctive and is often related to one thing you ate. Assume again on what handed by way of your lips and also you’ll in all probability give you a easy (and maybe even regrettable) motive for the burst of coloration.

That being stated, oddly coloured poop may point out one thing that wants consideration — notably if it lingers or comes with signs equivalent to belly ache, weight reduction, bleeding, fever and vomiting. Pale poop or blood-tinged stool is of specific concern, too.

Name your physician if signs fail to enhance or resolve fully, says Dr. Lee.

“Take note of your bowel actions, however don’t fear an excessive amount of for those who see one thing uncommon for a day,” says Dr. Lee. “There’s often a really clear rationalization that includes one thing you ate.”