Understanding the Various Colors of Your Poop

Poop is a fairly disgusting topic to discuss. It seems that we have no problems talking about the color and consistency of baby poop, but when it comes to our own poop, the topic is forbidden. Poop is a byproduct of anything and everything we put into our body. It is also a barometer for our health. A lot about a person's health can be said about the type of poop he/she exhumes. The color of your poop can say a lot about you and your health condition. There are various types of poop colors that can be harmless, or alarming.

Brown
Brown is the typical color that appears in the toilet when someone poops. The color is naturally produced by a variety of factors. First of all, there is a pigment called bilirubin that is formed when the red blood cells in the liver and bone marrow break down. When the bilirubin ends up in the intestines, bacteria begins to form and eat. This is turns the poop brown. Another reason for the brown poop color is the iron found in the red blood cells. Brown poop is completely normal and should be no cause for concern.

Tarry Black
Tarry black poop is reason for concern. Although an excess of iron in a diet can cause poop to appear black, the tarry quality is caused by something else entirely. Tarry black poop can mean there is a bleeding ulcer or bleeding in the intestines. If you see this type of poop in the toilet, contact a physician as soon as possible.

Yellow
Yellow poop can have two causes. One is harmless while the other is serious. The harmless cause of yellow poop is something called Gilber's Syndrome. As stated earlier, brown poop gets it's color from the breakdown of red blood cells. Someone with Gilbert's Syndrome doesn't break down as many red blood cells when they process food. This is a harmless condition that is normally found in teenage males. The more serious cause for yellow poop is a Giardia infection. This is called by tiny parasites in the intestines that cause yellow diarrhea. This disease is extremely contagious and dangerous.

Green
Perfectly healthy adults can experience green poop. Diets that are full of leafy green vegetables experience a green tint to their poop. Also, food coloring as in frosting or ice cream can turn your poop green. Some people experience a green color to their poop when they add an iron supplement to their diet. This is nothing to worry about unless you become constipated. Iron tends to constipate people as well.

Poop, like people, can come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Sometimes the color of your poop can be alarming, however, if you know what signs to look for, color changes become less stressful. If your poop is brown, black, yellow, or green, be sure to research and consult with a physician to be sure your condition is healthy and normal.