Yellow stool: 8 causes
Stool can change color for a variety of reasons, including diet and underlying medical conditions.
In this article, we look at the causes of yellow stool in adults and infants, as well as when to see a doctor.
Causes
Possible causes of yellow stool include:
1. Diet
What a person eats can affect the color of their stool.
Carrots, sweet potatoes, turmeric, and foods that contain yellow food coloring may turn someone’s stool yellow.
A diet high in fat or gluten can also lead to yellow stool.
If a person regularly has yellow stool due to their diet, they should try avoiding fatty foods, processed foods, gluten, or anything that causes an upset stomach.
2. Stress
Stress and anxiety can have many physical effects on the body, including speeding up the digestive process.
As a result, the body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients in food, which may lead to diarrhea or yellow stool.
Taking steps to relieve stress by reducing commitments, practicing yoga, or seeing a therapist, may help reduce the physical symptoms.
3. Celiac disease
If people with celiac disease eat gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley, their immune system responds by attacking the tissues of their small intestine.
This immune response causes tissue damage and compromises the intestines’ ability to absorb nutrients.
In addition to yellow stool, symptoms of celiac disease can include:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- nausea
- bloating
- fatigue
- headaches
- depression
There is no cure for celiac disease, but a person can effectively manage the condition by avoiding gluten.
Yellow stool is usually due to dietary changes or food colors. However, if the color change continues for several days or other symptoms are present as well, it is best to see a doctor.
A person should see a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms with yellow stool:
- a fever
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- pus-filled stool
- inability to urinate
- trouble breathing
- passing out
- lack of awareness
- confusion or mental changes
Summary
The cause of yellow stool is usually related to a person’s diet, but it can also be the result of underlying health problems.
It is essential to look out for additional symptoms and see a doctor if the yellow color persists. The treatment will depend on the underlying cause.
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