Yellow diarrhea can mean several things. It could be caused by a problem with one of your digestive organs, including your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. It could also be caused by a germ, like a bacteria or virus, or a parasite.
Yellow stool is usually due to dietary changes or food colors. However, if the color change continues for several days or other symptoms are present, it is best to contact a doctor. A person should see a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms with yellow stool: a fever.
Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD), sometimes also known as bile acid malabsorption or bile salt malabsorption (though this is not always the correct terminology), can result in symptoms such as bowel frequency, urgency, nocturnal defecation, excessive flatulence, abdominal pain and incontinence of stool.
Bile acid diarrhea (BAD) is a common cause of chronic diarrhea and is characterized by excess bile acids (BAs) within the colon, resulting in increased colonic motility and secretion. Patients with BAD can also present with urgency and abdominal cramping.
Yellow stool, sometimes called pale stool, has several different causes. The yellow color can come from a problem with your liver not being able to produce enough bile, or it could be from a bacterial infection.
Some liver conditions that cause yellow stool include cirrhosis and hepatitis. Gallbladder disease – There are several gallbladder disorders that can cause yellow diarrhea or stool, such as cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts), and gallstones.
COVID-19-related diarrhea and nausea
Diarrhea caused by COVID-19 tends to be more watery, yellow or green in color. It may be accompanied by cramping and bloating.
The most common cause of yellow-orange poop or diarrhea is eating a large amount of food in the same or similar hues. Common culprits include sweet potatoes, carrots, or processed foods with food coloring agents. Green foods, such as kale, spinach and celery, could also be to blame for yellow poop or diarrhea.
Viral gastroenteritis is an infection of your intestines that typically causes watery diarrhea, pain or cramping in your abdomen, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever. People commonly call viral gastroenteritis “stomach flu,” but the term is not medically correct.
IBS is a bowel disorder that causes diarrhea, pain, and discomfort during times of stress. IBS is also known to cause yellow stool. It is considered a separate issue from anxiety, but the two have been linked in many studies and many of those with IBS appear to have developed some type of anxiety disorder.
Some people may experience yellow diarrhea or smelly poop after gallbladder removal. The larger amounts of bile reaching the colon may cause irritation resulting in diarrhea with a yellow hue. The increased amounts of bile salt can also make one's bowel movements have a more potent smell as well.
The brown color comes from bile salts made by your liver. If your liver doesn't make bile normally or if the flow from the liver is blocked, your poop will look pale like the color of clay. Pale poop often happens along with yellow skin (jaundice).
The color of stools varies, but typically falls within the spectrum of brown color, depending on the foods you eat. You should be concerned if your stools are deep red, maroon, black, or "tarry," especially if they have a noticeable odor. This may mean that there is blood in the stool.
The main treatments for bile acid diarrhoea are a low-fat diet and taking a medicine called a bile acid binder. A low-fat diet helps to reduce the symptoms of bile acid diarrhoea. Medicines that bind to bile acids in your gut (bowel) are usually very effective.
Following a low-fat diet can help manage bile acid diarrhea and reduce symptoms. Try to avoid butter, creamy sauces, and fried foods. You can still include easier-to-digest fats such as avocado, small amounts of nuts and seeds, and salmon or mackerel.
If your poop is light-colored, yellow, clay-colored, or very light brown, this may be a sign of: An infection or inflammation (swelling) in your gallbladder, liver, or pancreas.
Most of the time, diarrhea is simply your gut's way of getting rid of a harmful invader, like a bacteria or virus. However, in some cases, diarrhea is caused by a malfunction of the gut, as is the case with inflammatory bowel disease. Many viruses can cause diarrhea.