How to Diagnose Digestive Health by Stool Color

People's natural curiosity about how their bodies process food and how to tell if something is wrong leads to many questions about stool color, shape and consistency. Your stool color is composed of whatever you've eaten recently and any dyes those foods contained. Your stomach bile, which is yellow or green, also blends into the color.

Instructions

1. Know that many shades of stool are perfectly normal. Light to dark brown, yellow and even green stool indicate that things are most likely processing at a normal speed through the intestines and there is nothing to worry about.

2. Note any changes in stool that are consistent over a period of time. One stool of a varying color may not be significant, but several stools that are all a change from your normal stool may mean something is wrong.

3. Consult a doctor if you see maroon or bright red stool, as this can indicate bleeding in the large intestine or rectum. It can also result from eating anything containing red food coloring, tomatoes or beets.

4. Call a doctor if you have black stools over a period of several days, as this may mean you're bleeding from the stomach. One black stool can be caused by eating black licorice or from taking medicines such as Pepto Bismol.

5. Ask a doctor about any prolonged gray or clay-liked stools. This can sometimes mean that the bile duct is obstructed.

6. Recognize a potential problem if you see several yellow, greasy stools that have a foul smell. This can signal that your body is having problems absorbing fat.