JAKARTA - Talking about feces may feel awkward for some people. However, health experts actually assess the habit of paying attention to the color of feces is very important to detect the condition of the body's health.
Changes in stool color are not just about food, but can be an early signal of digestive disorders to serious chronic diseases.
Quoted from the Times of India website, a doctor and researcher from Harvard, Dr. Trischa Pasricha, emphasized that feces can provide many clues about the condition of the body.
"Everyone has probably experienced feces with a strange color. Some come from what you eat, but there are also those who can indicate something worrying," Dr. Pasricha told The Washington Post.
In general, the normal color of feces is brown. This color indicates that the digestive system is working well. Gastroenterologist, Dr. Joseph Salhab explained that brown color is the most common color of feces in adults and usually indicates a healthy digestive tract.
"Chocolate is a typical color of feces and generally indicates a healthy digestive system," said Dr. Salhab.
Meaning of Stool Color ChangeAccording to Dr. Salhab, each stool color can signal different things about health:
1. Yellow
Feces that appear yellow is often associated with excess fat content. According to Dr. Salhab, this condition can be a sign of nutrient absorption disorders.
"This can be a sign of malabsorption disorders such as pancreatic insufficiency, bile acid deficiency, or celiac disease, where the body does not absorb nutrients properly," he explained.
2. Pale or like clay
Pale color can indicate a lack of bile in the digestive system. Dr. Salhab said this condition can be related to a blockage in the bile duct, gallbladder disorder, or liver problems.
3. Green
The color green is generally triggered by the consumption of green vegetables or food coloring. However, it can also occur when food moves too quickly in the digestive tract, such as during diarrhea. In this condition, the bile does not have time to decompose perfectly so that the feces appear green.
Feces Colors to Watch Out For1. Blue or purple
This color is very rare and usually appears as a result of consuming foods or beverages with strong blue or purple dyes.
2. Black
Black or tar-like feces need serious attention. Some supplements, such as iron, or certain medications such as bismuth can indeed cause feces to turn black.
"This can also indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as due to peptic ulcers, and requires immediate medical attention," said Dr. Salhab.
3. Red
Red-colored feces can appear after eating red-colored foods such as beets. However, this color can also be a sign of bleeding in the lower digestive tract, including the colon or rectum.
"This is a serious condition and must be immediately evaluated by medical personnel," said Dr. Salhab.
Doctors agree that persistent changes in stool color should not be ignored. Although it sounds trivial or embarrassing to talk about, consulting a doctor can actually help detect chronic diseases early, before they develop into more severe conditions and require large treatment costs.
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)
