How is poop green

Greenish stool could indicate that you have a bacterial infection salmonella or E. Any number of colors from the crayon box can pop up in your poop, says Dr. Fruits and food dyes offer a rainbow of options and are typically the most common cause of non-brown stool. That being said, oddly colored poop might indicate something that needs attention — particularly if it lingers or comes with symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, bleeding, fever and vomiting.

Pale poop or blood-tinged stool is of particular concern, too. A gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic explains why your doo may be a different hue. Learn more about vaccine availability. It could mean that the baby isn't feeding long enough on each breast or draining the breast effectively or that there is an oversupply of breast milk. A lactation consultant may be able to help identify the issue. Kids often eat foods that contain food dyes, including green, purple, blue and yellow, or red and blue coloring.

Chewing on green or purple crayons can also change the color of stools. Diarrhea decreases bowel transit time, so any condition that causes diarrhea can result in a green stool, including:. A rare but serious cause of green stool in kids and adults is poisoning by chemicals such as the pesticide paraquat.

Green stools accompanied by visible mucus may signal irritation or inflammation in the lining of the intestines. If it happens regularly, it could be a sign of a condition that may require treatment especially if it's accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, pain in the abdomen, or nausea or vomiting.

Like green poop, floating green stool is often normal and related to what you ate. In some cases particularly if it's an ongoing concern , floating stool could mean that your intestines aren't absorbing fat properly. Green stools can fall within the normal color range for bowel movements. While ongoing stool discoloration or the presence of other symptoms may signal something that requires medical treatment, in most cases, having the occasional greenish poop is nothing to worry about.

If your green poop was caused by something you ate, your stools should return to their normal color within a day or two. Green poop can be indicative of your diet. Eating broccoli, spinach, kale, and avocado can contribute to green stool. It can also be caused by a bacterial infection e. Green baby poop can be caused by an excess amount of bile, certain formula brands, intolerance to a food in their mother's diet if they are breastfed , a newborn's first stool meconium , a viral or bacterial infection, or the introduction of solid foods into their diet specifically vegetables.

Drinking green tea can contribute to feeling a need to poop. This feeling can result from having drinks that contain caffeine, such as green tea or coffee. The color and shape of poop is determined by a number of factors. Diet, underlying medical conditions, and medications can alter its appearance. For example, stool that is black or a tar-like color can indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and should be examined as soon as possible.

Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Green feces. Cleveland Clinic. Why Is Your Poop Green? Bile that is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder can be yellow or green, and so [green stool] might be a sign of gallbladder or liver problem. The food you eat may also cause your food, of the natural or artificial variety, may also cause your poop to turn green, Emily Haller, RDN , a registered dietician at Michigan Medicine's Taubman GI Clinic, tells Health.

Haller says it's "completely normal and healthy" to have green poop as the result of eating your veggies—so definitely keep doing it. On the other hand, it's also possible to have green stool after consuming highly-pigmented mint ice cream or frosted cookies. Iron supplements are notoriously difficult on the stomach, with side effects like diarrhea, nausea and upset stomach; this is why those with an inflammatory bowel condition or ulcer will want to check with their doctor before taking—but most people may just see a color change as a side effect.

If you've recently started getting the birth control shot, you might be seeing changes to your stool. Depo-Provera medroxyprogesterone has been known to cause green poop as a side effect — although why that occurs is still up for debate. Worden notes "anything that changes hormones can also affect the biliary system," including the liver and gallbladder, and if what you consume isn't being broken down normally, it could increase the odds of green stool.

Accessed Sept. Feldman M, et al. Gastrointestinal bleeding. Elsevier; What is celiac disease? Celiac Disease Foundation. See also Mucus in stool: A concern? Narrow stools: Should I be concerned? Undigested food in stool White stool: Should I be concerned? Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Legal Conditions and Terms Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

Advertising Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Advertising and sponsorship policy Advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Reprint Permissions A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.