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What Causes Pale Stool?
Posted on
Thu, 17 Aug 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 17 Aug 2017
Answered on
Wed, 13 Sep 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : I have been having pale stools for the past 3 days. I know this is not normal.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If the stools is nearly colorless or sort of a pale clay or khaki color, this can mean that there is obstruction of the bile (which is produced by the liver). Bile is secreted by the liver and is stored in the gall bladder, then released into the small intestine. If there is obstruction anywhere along this path, then the bile, and it's pigments, which give the stool color, can't get into the small intestine, so the stool looks pale. Gallstones can cause this, as can inflammation anywhere along the tract, such as from a gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"). Sometimes when people have clay colored stool, they also have dark urine, sort of a brown color.
Evaluation for this, if it does not appear to be a passing situation, is to go to your doctor who will do an abdominal exam and order an abdominal ultrasound. Ultrasound does not expose you to radiation, and is not invasive so this is a pretty easy test to have.
I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If the stools is nearly colorless or sort of a pale clay or khaki color, this can mean that there is obstruction of the bile (which is produced by the liver). Bile is secreted by the liver and is stored in the gall bladder, then released into the small intestine. If there is obstruction anywhere along this path, then the bile, and it's pigments, which give the stool color, can't get into the small intestine, so the stool looks pale. Gallstones can cause this, as can inflammation anywhere along the tract, such as from a gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"). Sometimes when people have clay colored stool, they also have dark urine, sort of a brown color.
Evaluation for this, if it does not appear to be a passing situation, is to go to your doctor who will do an abdominal exam and order an abdominal ultrasound. Ultrasound does not expose you to radiation, and is not invasive so this is a pretty easy test to have.
I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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