Why is stool light brown

For mild liver disease, a person may only need medication and to make lifestyle changes. Those with severe liver disease may need a liver transplant. When problems with another organ, such as the gallbladder, cause problems with the liver, a doctor must treat that condition as well.

Diseases of the pancreas can make it hard for this organ to secrete pancreatic juices into the digestive system. This can lead to the food moving too quickly through the gut, causing a pale and fatty-looking stool. Some conditions can cause pancreatitis , which is swelling and inflammation of the pancreas. These include:. Treatment for pancreatitis depends on the cause. Some people need hospitalization, fluids, or antibiotics. Surgery may treat some forms of pancreatitis. When another condition causes pancreatitis, such as gallstones, a doctor must also address that issue.

Pale stools in children are not necessarily a medical emergency if they occur once and are pale but not white. Breastfed babies have light yellowish-brown stools. This hue is especially prevalent among babies who have not yet transitioned to solids. Once they are eating solids, their stool usually becomes browner.

When the stool is white or very light brown, this can signal a more serious problem, such as cholestasis , a type of liver disease. In newborns, cholestasis or any other problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas may be a medical emergency, so a caregiver should call their pediatrician right away. If the baby has other symptoms, turns yellow, or appears to be in pain, a caregiver must take them straight to the emergency room. In older children who have no other symptoms, it is usually safe to wait for the next bowel movement.

White or clay-colored stools during pregnancy usually indicate a problem with the gallbladder, liver, biliary ducts, or pancreas. Some women develop a pregnancy-related liver disease called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Doctors do not fully understand what causes cholestasis, but they think that pregnancy hormones might affect liver functioning. Treatment may include medication and frequent monitoring, including blood work and ultrasounds. In some cases, a woman may need to give birth early. Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas can quickly become life-threatening. However, these diseases are usually treatable. The longer a problem with these important organs continues, the more likely it is to cause lasting harm or damage other organs.

So it is important to err on the side of caution and quickly see a doctor for pale stool. An adult who only has a pale stool and no other symptoms can wait until the next bowel movement before they call a doctor. If the pale stool persists, they might be wise to see a doctor within a day. If there are other symptoms, such as pain, dark urine, turning yellow, vomiting, or a fever, it is best to seek urgent treatment.

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This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Stool color: When to worry. Products and services. Yesterday, my stool color was bright green. Should I be concerned? Bile is what gives stool its brown color. So, pale-colored stool could indicate a problem with the bile, including:. Clay-colored stool caused by a medical condition might also be accompanied by a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes jaundice or darkened urine.

The presence of jaundice along with pale stools could indicate an obstructed bile duct or liver infection. Both of these conditions could be serious so you should discuss your symptoms with a healthcare provider right away.

To treat pale stools, your doctor must first identify the underlying cause. In addition to a complete medical history, your doctor may order some of the following tests:.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Some examples of treatments include:. An occasional odd-colored stool isn't usually a concern. However, if pale stools stick around, it can indicate a problem with bile ducts or another underlying medical condition. So, it's essential to seek medical advice, especially if any other symptoms occur along with it, like jaundice or pain. Your healthcare provider may want to run some tests to see what might be causing pale-colored stools.

Treatment depends on the cause. It's understandably uncomfortable to talk to someone about your poop. But your healthcare provider wants to know the details so that they can better help you.

The earlier you have the conversation, the better treatment you can receive. Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Evaluation of the biliary tract in patients with functional biliary symptoms. World J Gastroenterol. ABC of diseases of liver, pancreas, and biliary system. Investigation of liver and biliary disease. Dugdale DC. Stools - Pale or Clay-Colored. Picco MF. Stool Color: When to Worry.