JAKARTA - The color and shape of stool can be indicators of a person's health. Healthy bowel movements are typically brown, cylindrical, and easy to pass.
However, there are variations in stool changes that can indicate anything from minor health problems to serious conditions like colon cancer.
If the stool is bright red, it could be a sign of a problem in the colon or rectum. Causes can vary, from hemorrhoids, anal fissures, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, to colon cancer.
As reported by Verywell Health on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, changes in stool and the body associated with colon cancer vary. Some of these include:
- Sudden changes in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas, or pain
- Stools that become smaller, flatter, or resemble long ribbons
- A feeling that the bowels are not completely empty after a bowel movement
- Unexplained weight loss
"If you experience a persistent change in bowel habits or other digestive symptoms, it's important to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist," says board-certified health expert Jay N. Yepuri, MD.
Furthermore, there are several stool changes worth noting because they are related to underlying health conditions. For example, if the stool is dark red or dark in color due to blood, it's likely bleeding in the upper digestive tract, such as the stomach and esophagus.
Changes in stool color can also be influenced by the food you eat. For example, if you eat beets, cranberries, or tomato soup, it can cause your stool to turn reddish.
Green stool can be caused by consuming spinach and kale, while yellow stool can be caused by consuming sweet potatoes, carrots, and turmeric.
"However, if green and runny stool (diarrhea) is accompanied by feeling unwell, this could indicate a digestive tract infection such as salmonella, giardia, or norovirus," concluded nutritionist Carla Oates, as quoted by The Sun.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
