White Specks in Stool
Many people report about having stool with white specks. This is not a rare problem and has been reported by most of the people, usually in the morning. There are a number of reasons why color of stool changes. The colour of stool may be affected due to different medications or foods. The color of stool is brownish because of the digestion of bile salts, digestive agents that are made by liver and stored in gallbladder. However when bile does not reach stool, stool becomes white or white speck area developed. It implies there is something blocking the bile to reach to the small intestine or liver is not producing bile in sufficient amounts. This is not a normal condition and should be immediately reported to the doctor.
The stool develops pale clay-like color when bile salts reduce or become absent which in turn is a result of liver diseases like cirrhosis or hepatitis. We can have different colored stools, most of which are not dangerous while some may require medical aid. Therefore it is important to seek doctor advice and take up the tests they suggest.
Stool color usually depends on the medications, eating habits and amount of bile in the body. Only in rare cases color of stool indicate any serious intestinal conditions. However if you are getting white specks in stool or white stool, it is not normal and is serious enough to talk to a doctor and get evaluated for the reasons of this condition.
Reasons of white spots or white stool may vary but some may be equally serious. Some medications used in conditions like diarrhoea, indigestion and heartburn can result in white stools. If this is not a result of medications then the reason should be something serious. White stool is usually caused because of the lack of bile, as mentioned earlier.
Because there are many reasons of white specks in stools so the actual reason can be known only after full diagnosis and investigation. Stool examination with culture proves to be helpful in diagnosing the reason of presence of white specks. This test will show if eggs or larvae of present that have caused the white specks in stool. There are other possibilities also, some of which are discussed below:
White specks in stool can be caused due to a number of reasons – some of which are normal while others can be serious. Lack of bile or inability of the bile to reach to the small intestine is the most common cause of getting white stool or white specks in stool. Intestinal inflammation, certain medications, medical conditions such as hepatitis, bile duct congenital abnormalities etc are some of the other causes of white specks in stool.
Whatever the reason of white stool or white specks in stool is, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor may ask you to take some tests to identify and evaluate the actual reason of getting this abnormal stool. He will examine and evaluate the results and based upon the conclusion, he may prescribe certain medications or ask you to control your eating habits.
Discoloration of the stool may indicate several health issues and should be taken seriously. Contact your doctor immediately about these changes as they can be a sign of potential health concerns.
Many people report about having stool with white specks. This is not a rare problem and has been reported by most of the people, usually in the morning. There are a number of reasons why color of stool changes. The colour of stool may be affected due to different medications or foods. The color of stool is brownish because of the digestion of bile salts, digestive agents that are made by liver and stored in gallbladder. However when bile does not reach stool, stool becomes white or white speck area developed. It implies there is something blocking the bile to reach to the small intestine or liver is not producing bile in sufficient amounts. This is not a normal condition and should be immediately reported to the doctor.
The stool develops pale clay-like color when bile salts reduce or become absent which in turn is a result of liver diseases like cirrhosis or hepatitis. We can have different colored stools, most of which are not dangerous while some may require medical aid. Therefore it is important to seek doctor advice and take up the tests they suggest.
Stool color usually depends on the medications, eating habits and amount of bile in the body. Only in rare cases color of stool indicate any serious intestinal conditions. However if you are getting white specks in stool or white stool, it is not normal and is serious enough to talk to a doctor and get evaluated for the reasons of this condition.
Reasons of white spots or white stool may vary but some may be equally serious. Some medications used in conditions like diarrhoea, indigestion and heartburn can result in white stools. If this is not a result of medications then the reason should be something serious. White stool is usually caused because of the lack of bile, as mentioned earlier.
Causes of white specks in stool
Because there are many reasons of white specks in stools so the actual reason can be known only after full diagnosis and investigation. Stool examination with culture proves to be helpful in diagnosing the reason of presence of white specks. This test will show if eggs or larvae of present that have caused the white specks in stool. There are other possibilities also, some of which are discussed below:
- Infections due to parasites, as already mentioned
- Since the digestion of fat is affected greatly due to gall bladder and liver disorders, fatty globules may also look like white specks on bowel movement
- Any disease like irritable bowel syndrome which involves the inflammation of bowel. Such conditions cause irritation of the mucous lining.
- Poor digestion, constipation, nutritional imbalance or deficiency, muscle weakness, diarrhoea or constipation, headaches, weight loss are also the reasons that may cause white specks to occur. Improper digestion is one of the most common reasons of white specks or spots occurring in the stool.
- Lactose intolerance which means inability to digest dairy products such as butter, milk, cheese etc is also a common reason of people getting white specks in stool. Basically in lactose intolerance, these dairy products when consumed are pooped out as it is in the undigested form which appears as white spots.
- White specks in stool can also be a result of clumps of fungi. This is common among the people who do not have good immune system like in immune-compromised people – people having undergone therapies such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy or medical conditions like AIDS.
- Left out particles which are a result of undigested food like capsule cover, seeds or any other eatable that the patient has just had.
- White stools can also be result of blocked bile duct which in turn is caused due to tumour or gallstone.
Conclusion
White specks in stool can be caused due to a number of reasons – some of which are normal while others can be serious. Lack of bile or inability of the bile to reach to the small intestine is the most common cause of getting white stool or white specks in stool. Intestinal inflammation, certain medications, medical conditions such as hepatitis, bile duct congenital abnormalities etc are some of the other causes of white specks in stool.
Whatever the reason of white stool or white specks in stool is, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor may ask you to take some tests to identify and evaluate the actual reason of getting this abnormal stool. He will examine and evaluate the results and based upon the conclusion, he may prescribe certain medications or ask you to control your eating habits.
Discoloration of the stool may indicate several health issues and should be taken seriously. Contact your doctor immediately about these changes as they can be a sign of potential health concerns.
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