Yellow Stools & Stomach Pain
Yellow stools and abdominal pain can indicate a variety of medical conditions. Some of these conditions are common and some are not. Regardless of the cause, when a patient experiences yellow stools and abdominal pain they should contact a physician for a diagnosis. It is important that all causes are properly diagnosed to avoid any potentially serious future health complications.
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Hepatitis
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Patients with hepatitis may experience yellow stools and abdominal pain. Hepatitis is a viral condition characterized by liver inflammation. There are five types of hepatitis: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E. All forms of hepatitis have different causes and treatment methods. They also have different symptoms, but since all five forms of hepatitis affect the liver, jaundice can occur. Jaundice is a condition in which the eyes and skin take on a yellow hue.
Celiac Disease
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Celiac disease is a genetic gluten intolerance. It often has an underlying autoimmune cause. Patients with this condition often experience yellow stools and abdominal pain as well as diarrhea and abdominal bloating. Treating celiac disease most often involves following a gluten-free diet.
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Cholangitis
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Cholangitis is a condition in which a patient's bile duct is inflamed. In addition to yellow stools and abdominal pain, patients may also experience pain underneath their right shoulder blade, jaundice, gas, nausea and vomiting. According to Medline Plus, this condition is most often caused by a bacterial infection. Antibiotics and surgery are the most common treatment methods.
Gallstones
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Gallstones are solid chemical deposits in the gallbladder. The symptoms of gall stones include yellow stools, abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea and vomiting. Gallstones can be treated by surgically removing them or by using shock waves to break them up.
Pancreatic Insufficiency
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Pancreatic insufficiency is a condition in which the pancreas is not functioning properly. This condition can be caused by a number of medical problems, including chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic resection and cystic fibrosis. In addition to yellow stools and abdominal pain, patients with pancreatic insufficiency may experience weight loss and glucose intolerance. Treating this condition consists of diagnosing and treating the underlying condition. Treatment also involves managing the symptoms when possible. Patients may need to be on a high-protein, low-fat diet to help them maintain and gain weight if necessary as well as take vitamin A, D, E and K supplements.
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