If I sometimes have pale clay colored stool, what does that mean?!
Question: Pale-colored stools usually come from liver, gallbladder, or bile duct problems. The dark color of stools comes from the breakdown products of hemoglobin, which give urine it's yellow color and feces it's brown color. These hemoglobin breakdown products are usually broken down and metabolized in the liver, then sent through the bile ducts into the intestines, where it can then be released from the body.
If there is a blockage of the bile duct, those hemoglobin products cannot enter the intestines, and the stools do not get the characteristic color that you would expect.
Bile duct blockage generally goes along with pain in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen, basically just below your ribs on the right side. An ultrasound of that area generally will show inflammation, thickening of the duct walls, or stones within the ducts. Also, you may be a little more concerned if you are noticing a yellow-ish color to your skin or eyes.
In any case, I would suggest seeing your physician, so he or she can do some tests to determine the cause.
Hope that helps! Good luck!
Answers: Pale-colored stools usually come from liver, gallbladder, or bile duct problems. The dark color of stools comes from the breakdown products of hemoglobin, which give urine it's yellow color and feces it's brown color. These hemoglobin breakdown products are usually broken down and metabolized in the liver, then sent through the bile ducts into the intestines, where it can then be released from the body.
If there is a blockage of the bile duct, those hemoglobin products cannot enter the intestines, and the stools do not get the characteristic color that you would expect.
Bile duct blockage generally goes along with pain in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen, basically just below your ribs on the right side. An ultrasound of that area generally will show inflammation, thickening of the duct walls, or stones within the ducts. Also, you may be a little more concerned if you are noticing a yellow-ish color to your skin or eyes.
In any case, I would suggest seeing your physician, so he or she can do some tests to determine the cause.
Hope that helps! Good luck!
Clay come in different colors! If you mean it is pale, that means you have stressed out your liver. Rich foods or too much alcohol can do that, also liver problems. Watch that it clears up and take better care of your body.
it means you are unhealthy and need to improve your diet.
why are you spending so much time checking out your stool?
if you have other symptoms they will help you understand where your diet is inadequate or inappropriate
Listen to what TP has to say... s/he is right. Liver or Gall Bladder issues.