Causes of Green Poop That Aren't Your Diet...

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Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MDMedically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MDPoop typically presents in various shades of brown, but it can also appear in shades of green, as well as black and clay-colored.Occasional green poop is considered normal, especially if you've been eating plenty of green vegetables or foods with green food dye. If your green poop is not due to something you ate, it may be the result of an infection, medication side effect, or underlying health condition.While occasional green poop often resolves without treatment, experiencing green-colored stool on a frequent basis might merit a trip to your healthcare provider.What Does Green Poop Look Like?Green poop describes stool that is some shade of green—from bright lime to a darker tone. Some people describe their green poop as being so dark that it's initially mistaken for black or tarry-colored stool.Green poop can also vary in consistency and shape. Depending on the cause, green poop may present as watery diarrhea or as a regular stool texture.You may experience green poop once on occasion or for several days in a row or longer. This symptom can look different for each person, as appearance and frequency can vary based on the underlying cause.Causes of Green PoopThere are several reasons why you might have green poop, including infection, medication, or an underlying condition.InfectionWhen bacteria, a parasite, or a virus enter your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause an infection, this can lead to green poop.These infections can cause food to move through the digestive system too quickly—which doesn't allow enough time for bile to break food down in the GI tract. This can result in diarrhea (loose, watery stool) that is greenish in color.Some common infectious organisms include bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, viruses like norovirus, and parasites like Giardia. Other symptoms that may come along with green poop resulting from an infection include:NauseaVomitingStomach crampingBloatingChillsFatigueSweatingFeverDigestive DisordersHaving green poop could also be a symptom of a health condition, such as a digestive disorder. As with an infection, digestive disorders can cause food to move through the digestive tract too quickly, not allowing enough time for bile to turn stool brown. This results in diarrhea and potentially green-colored poop.There are a few specific digestive disorders and conditions where this can happen, including:Dumping syndrome: This condition occurs when food passes too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, commonly after stomach or esophageal surgery.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): As a gastrointestinal disorder that triggers stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea, IBS can also cause loose, green stools.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation in the GI tract commonly results in frequent or loose bowel movements that may be green-tinged.Bile acid malabsorption: With this condition, bile salts that digest fats build up in the digestive tract, often resulting in chronic diarrhea that is green or orange in color.Celiac disease: This chronic autoimmune disorder causes the body's immune system to overreact to gluten, resulting in various digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and loose, watery stools that are green in color.Gallbladder removal: Having this organ recently removed can direct additional bile into the digestive tract, potentially leading to green-colored diarrhea.MedicationsSometimes, medications or supplements can upset your stomach or disrupt the balance of bacteria in your gut. This could result in bile-filled diarrhea that appears green.A few drugs that commonly trigger changes in stool color include:Antibiotics: By altering the gut bacterial environment (microbiome) to kill off an infection, antibiotics commonly lead to changes in poop color.Antidiarrheals: Medications like Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) can cause you to have dark green or almost black-colored poop.Iron supplements: Taking iron in supplement form has possible side effects like diarrhea and dark green or black stool.When To See a Healthcare ProviderYou may want to see a healthcare provider if you experience abnormal green poop for multiple days in a row.In the case that your stools are a color other than a shade of brown that's typical for you, seek medical attention right away if this discoloration is accompanied by:Bloody stoolFeverStomach painDiarrheaDizziness or lightheadednessUnexpected weight changesA healthcare provider will first review your medical history and ask about your symptoms. This may involve going over your current medication list, diet, bowel movement patterns, and any other underlying health conditions that could explain your green poop. They may also perform a physical examination of your stomach and rectum.The provider may order diagnostic tests or procedures to rule out certain health conditions. They may suggest a colonoscopy (an imaging procedure used to examine the colon) if your green poop is mostly diarrhea or represents a sudden change in your bowel movements. A colonoscopy can also check for signs of colorectal cancer or digestive disorders.Treatments for Green PoopIn many cases, green poop will go away on its own without any treatment. However, experiencing ongoing green poop may require some medical attention. The goal of treatment for green poop is to treat the symptom and then manage the underlying cause, if applicable.If your green poop isn't traceable back to something you ate (like leafy green vegetables or a green food dye), then your healthcare provider will want to discuss diagnosis and treatment recommendations.Getting your stool back to your "normal" shade of brown may include tactics that encourage healthy, regular bowel movements, like:Drinking plenty of water to keep your body hydratedEating enough fiber to keep stool bulky and easy to passIncreasing exercise and physical activity to promote digestive system movementEliminating or avoiding medications that may be leading to green or abnormal-colored stoolTrying probiotic foods such as yogurt or kombucha (or a probiotic supplement) to help restore balance to your gut microbiomeInfections that cause green poop may merit a specific treatment plan, which could involve oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Treating digestive disorders that cause green poop will likely require specific dietary plans and medications.How To Prevent Green PoopSpecific prevention tactics might vary depending on your diagnosis. In general, experts recommend the following tips to prevent stool color changes and promote regular bowel movements:Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fiber and hydration to encourage bulky, soft stoolsAvoid catching germs by washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces oftenLimit foods that may trigger additional digestive symptoms, like dairy products or spicy foodsA Quick ReviewOccasional changes in stool color aren't always a cause for concern. However, if your green poop isn't the result of something you've eaten, it may be the sign of an infection, medication side effect, or digestive disorder.To help support regular, healthy bowel movements, experts recommend eating plenty of fiber, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and avoiding exposure to infection-causing germs.Check with a healthcare provider if your green poop doesn't resolve within a few days or if it comes along with symptoms like diarrhea, stomach pain, bloody stool, or fever. For more Health.com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Health.com.

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