"What Does the Color of Adult Stool Indicate About Health?"

The color of adult feces is closely related to health. Normally, adult feces should be tan or brownish-yellow. The color of feces can vary depending on the type of food consumed. The feces of meat-eaters tend to be dark brown or black, while those who consume excessive amounts of green vegetables may have dark green feces. If changes in fecal color are unrelated to the above situations, it indicates the presence of pathological changes in the digestive system, as detailed below.

1. Tan or brownish-yellow feces are considered normal.

2. Green feces can result from consuming large amounts of green leafy vegetables. Pathological factors such as taking calomel, certain antibiotics, and increased biliverdin can also lead to green feces.

3. Tarry black feces may be caused by ingesting animal blood or iron preparations, or may indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

4. Clay-colored feces can be caused by consuming large amounts of fat or may indicate biliary obstruction.

5. Red feces can result from consuming large amounts of tomatoes, red peppers, watermelons, and other physiological factors. If the feces contain bright red blood, it usually indicates lower gastrointestinal bleeding, such as rectal cancer, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, etc.

6. Jam-like feces may be caused by consuming large amounts of coffee, cocoa, cherries, mulberries, chocolate, and other physiological factors, or may indicate diseases such as intussusception and amoebic dysentery.

When abnormal fecal color is observed, excluding physiological factors such as food, timely medical diagnosis and treatment should be sought.