Normal stool: what it looks like and what is considered normal stool in an adult

The article was prepared by a specialist for informational purposes only. We urge you not to self-medicate. When the first symptoms appear, consult a doctor.

Stool staining black does not always become a dangerous symptom, although normally the stool of a healthy person is brown in various shades. Almost every person notices the slightest changes in the color and consistency of stool, because they know the characteristics of their own stool.

The brown color of stool is due to the fact that they contain particles of undigested food eaten over the last 2-3 days, and bile that participated in the processing of the food bolus.

Number of bowel movements

For an adult, normal stool is considered without prolonged strong straining once every 1-2 days or 2 times a day. After the process of defecation, there is a feeling of comfort and complete emptying of the intestines, and the urge completely disappears. Some external circumstances - bed rest, a change in familiar surroundings, the need to use a vessel, being in the company of strangers - can slow down or increase the frequency of this process.

A deviation from the norm is the absence of bowel movements for 3 days (constipation) or very frequent bowel movements - up to 5 times a day or more (diarrhea).

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Prevention

Following these recommendations will help stop diarrhea after alcohol. To improve the condition of the body of an alcohol addict during binge drinking, one should get rid of the root cause of intoxication - alcohol addiction. Detoxification will help get rid of acute poisoning, while psychological problems associated with alcoholism remain unresolved. A rehabilitation course in a drug treatment clinic will help you get rid of your addiction and change your life for the better.

Article prepared by an expert

Terekhova Anna Vladimirovna

psychologist-consultant on socio-psychological work with addicted clients and their families. More than 9 years of experience.

on ““Diarrhea after alcohol””

Katerina:
November 6, 2022 at 09:04
If there is a lack of vitamins, treatment is necessary. Diarrhea due to colitis is treated with drugs that relieve inflammation. Taking enterosorbents is an etiotropic and pathogenetically substantiated method of treating, primarily, secretory diarrhea. Most often, this type of diarrhea is caused by viruses and the prescription of antibiotics in this case is inappropriate. Enterosorbents absorb pathogenic microorganisms and toxins and remove them from the body in a bound state naturally. Treatment with enterosorbents is used both in complex therapy together with antimicrobial drugs, and as independent therapy
Answer
Tolik:
November 7, 2022 at 04:41 pm
Loperamide is available in forms that ensure the drug dissolves on the tongue in a few seconds (since 2009, loperamide has been available in the format of lyophilized tablets made using Zydis - Imodium Instant Melts technology. After taking measures to relieve symptoms, you should find out the causes of diarrhea by analyzing the epidemiological situation (presence of outbreaks diseases, season, food consumed, antibiotics, patient visits to clinics or travel) and clinical picture (presence of blood in stool, abdominal pain, dysentery, inflammation, emaciation).If symptoms are severe, inflammation, blood in stool or suspected outbreak infectious disease, it is required to take a stool test, inform sanitary and quarantine control services and store frozen samples of stool, water and food consumed by the patient
Read also: Bloating after eating: what is the reason and what to do?
Answer
Roller:
November 12, 2022 at 12:34 pm
I have fairly frequent diarrhea after drinking. Could this be a liver problem? So it doesn’t matter whether I drink vodka or beer, the result is the same in the morning. Maybe the pancreas should be checked? It's just a complete inconvenience.
Answer
Kate:
November 17, 2022 at 15:27
An interesting topic)) Sometimes my husband was faced with the problem of diarrhea, and by the way it was very difficult to solve. What helped us were Essentiale pills and an alcoholic diet, that is, a complete lack of drinking. And then every morning after the feast, it was sometimes accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, despite the fact that I never drank too much, due to the condition - a cucumber, and the body reacted like this. If you have such a problem, I recommend that you still pay attention to the liver...
Answer
Igor Ivanovich:
November 18, 2022 at 08:10
I am 58 years old. And I have very frequent loose stools after drinking alcohol. I didn't even think that this could be such a serious problem. It seemed quite normal, such mini-poisoning of the body. You need to watch your body. Useful article.
Answer
Melissa:
November 23, 2022 at 10:14 am
Thank you for the article! really useful and all the information in one place...
Answer
Artyom:
March 7, 2022 at 10:25 pm
I am 30 years old. I drink beer, vodka tincture, champagne, from everything I run all night to the toilet, in the morning everything goes away, I drink a maximum of one and a half liters of beer and after half an hour a terrible seething begins and I run to the toilet. Fatty foods also make me run to the toilet, especially if I’ve eaten a couple of pieces of fat and you sit in the toilet all night, the color is yellow. From the description, I understood one reason: gastritis.
Read also: Removal of polyps in the intestines using surgery
Answer
Elena:
January 27, 2022 at 08:19 pm
Very informative information! As an experienced alcoholic, it would be very interesting for me to read what diarrhea can be like after drinking hawthorn tincture!!! Best regards, Elena Kozlova.
Answer

Daily amount of feces

With a mixed diet, the daily amount of feces can vary widely. The average is about 150-400 g. Note that when consuming predominantly plant foods, the amount of feces may increase, while animal feces may decrease.

A significant increase or decrease in fecal mass is a kind of alarm signal. The main causes of polyfecality (increased amount of feces) include:

eating a lot of fiber;
stomach diseases accompanied by impaired protein digestion;
intestinal diseases accompanied by impaired absorption of food, water and increased peristalsis, as well as secretion of inflammatory exudate and mucus into the intestinal lumen (enteritis, polyps);
disease of the liver, gastric bladder and biliary tract, leading to impaired bile secretion and absorption in the colon;
disease of the pancreas with insufficiency of its exocrine function (insufficient digestion of proteins and fats);
eating a lot of fiber.

The main reasons for a decrease in the amount of feces include:

the predominance of easily digestible foods in the diet;
reducing the amount of food eaten;
the presence of constipation, in which, due to prolonged retention of feces in the large intestine and maximum absorption of water, the volume of feces decreases.

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Key words: black feces, black stools, black callas, intestinal bleeding

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Stool color

With a mixed diet, the stool is brown.

A dark brown tint of stool may indicate the presence of disturbances in the digestion of food in the stomach, colitis, putrefactive dyspepsia. This color also predominates with constipation and following a meat diet.

Light brown is observed with increased intestinal motility and following a dairy-vegetable diet.

Orange is observed when consuming beta-carotene and foods high in it (for example, pumpkin, carrots, etc.).

A reddish color occurs when bleeding from the lower intestines (with anal fissures, hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis, etc.), as well as when eating beets.

The green color is observed when eating a large amount of sorrel, spinach, lettuce, with increased intestinal motility or the presence of dysbacteriosis.

Light yellow stool indicates very rapid passage of feces through the intestines.

Black color - with bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract (cirrhosis, peptic ulcer, colon cancer), ingestion of blood during pulmonary or nasal bleeding, when taking activated charcoal and bismuth preparations, eating blueberries, currants.

Greenish-black stool may occur when taking iron supplements.

Grayish-white stool indicates that very little or no bile enters the intestines (acute pancreatitis, blockage of the bile duct, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, etc.).

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Symptoms

Serious symptoms are abnormal behavior of the body and a person usually experiences the following symptoms:

stomach pain;
temperature increase;
heartburn;
nausea and vomiting;
pale skin;
dizziness;
increased sweating;
bleeding from the anus.

Against the background of such a reaction of the body, anemia, constipation, and diarrhea may occur. Sometimes the appearance of black stool is a consequence of bleeding after surgery.

The disintegration of malignant tumors also leads to internal bleeding, leading to the coloring of stool in a rich black color.

The presence of viral or bacterial infections can also be a provoking factor for the appearance of chernukha.

Consistency (density) of stool

Normally, the stool is soft and formed. Feces should consist of 70% water, 30% from the remains of processed food, exfoliated intestinal cells and dead bacteria.

The presence of pathology is indicated by liquid, foamy, ointment-like, mushy, semi-liquid, excessively dense or putty-like stool.

Pasty stools – with increased peristalsis, inflammation or increased secretion in the intestines, may be associated with the consumption of large amounts of plant foods.
Very dense “sheep” feces - observed with constipation and dehydration, may be a sign of a mechanical obstruction in the rectum.
Ointment-like - observed in diseases of the pancreas, a sharp decrease in the flow of bile into the intestines, and may be associated with increased consumption of fatty foods the day before. The frequent appearance of ointment-like stool may be a symptom of pancreatic diseases and insufficient bile secretion.
Liquid - observed when the passage of feces is accelerated, the absorption or digestion of food in the small intestine is impaired, it is a symptom of toxic infection, acute intestinal infection, poisoning.
Foamy - observed when fermentation processes in the intestines prevail over the rest.

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Treatment

If the cause is the entry of coloring pigments into the body during the use of medications or after eating food, then to restore the color of stool it is enough to eliminate coloring products and medications.

In case of serious problems, the likelihood of needing hospitalization is very high. In some cases it is impossible to do without surgical intervention. If your condition suddenly worsens, you should immediately contact an ambulance service. Before the doctors arrive, the patient should not be given water or food; if possible, try to ensure recumbent rest.

For serious pathologies, the doctor can prescribe only two types of treatment - surgery and medication. Any therapy necessarily involves a low-calorie diet and bed rest.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment is prescribed when pathological changes are detected, which result in bleeding, leading to the appearance of black stool. This treatment is aimed at excluding the root cause of the disease.

In a significant proportion of cases, the cause of black stool is somehow related to a disease of the digestive system. These types of pathologies include various types of gastritis.

Antral gastritis is associated with the presence of the bacterium Hilicobacter pylori in the human body, as a result of which the acidity of the gastric juice increases and the inflammatory process begins.

There are several types of the disease, some of which are considered a precancerous condition. In severe cases of the disease, gastric bleeding may occur, leading to the appearance of black stool.

Treatment of gastritis includes antibacterial therapy, taking drugs that reduce acidity and normalize the production of hydrochloric acid. Since today there are more than 10 varieties of this disease, the complex of medications is selected purely individually. The following drugs are often prescribed:

antacids to neutralize hydrochloric acid - Gastal, Maalox, Rennie;
antisecretory agents to reduce the level of gastric juice and acid - Ranitidine, Famotidine;
inhibitors to suppress enzymes - Nexium, Ortanozol, Nolpaz;
anticholinergic agents to suppress acid production - Gastrapecin;
antibacterial agents - Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, Clarithromycin.

Gastritis is always associated with an acute inflammatory process that affects the lining of the gastric mucosa. The disease can occur in acute and chronic forms.

The acute form responds well to treatment, which cannot be said about the chronic form. It is in the chronic form that gastric bleeding is characteristic, leading to the appearance of black stool.

Surgery

The appearance of black feces is very often observed in cancer. Their treatment involves a whole complex of treatments:

drug therapy;
radiation exposure;
laser therapy;
surgical intervention.

There are 4 stages of cancer in total. In the early stages, drug treatment and radiation therapy can be performed without surgery. Later stages in most cases require surgical intervention.

Stool smell

The smell of the stool should be fecal, unpleasant, but not pungent. Depends on the severity of fermentation and decay processes, as well as the composition of food.

When the digestive process is disrupted, undigested food begins to rot in the intestines or becomes food for pathogenic bacteria. Some of them produce hydrogen sulfide, which has a characteristic rotten odor.

Sour – for fermentative dyspepsia, which occurs due to excessive consumption of carbohydrates (flour products, sugar, peas, fruits, etc.) and fermented drinks (for example, kvass).

Fetid - indicates dysfunction of the pancreas, hypersecretion of the large intestine, and a decrease in the flow of bile into the intestines. The cause of too foul-smelling stool may be the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Putrefactive – noted for constipation, colitis, disruption of the digestive process in the stomach, putrefactive dyspepsia.

Faint odor - with accelerated evacuation from the small intestine or constipation.

The smell of rancid oil is due to bacterial decomposition of fats in the intestines.

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Complementary and alternative treatments at home

The main rule of treatment is moderation in diet and adherence to a correct lifestyle. For the treatment and prevention of diseases such as gastritis and ulcers, the fasting method can be used.

The therapeutic effect is achieved by maintaining a break in food intake, which allows the mucous membrane of the organs to recover. This method should be approached with caution and used only under the supervision of a physician.

Nutrition and supplements

Proper and balanced nutrition contributes to the normal functioning of the digestive system, failures in which lead to the appearance of black feces.

You should pay close attention to the calorie content of the food you eat and avoid spicy and salty foods as much as possible. Don't get carried away with fast foods and dry snacks.

It is recommended to provide the body with a balanced and proper diet, with a sufficient level of fruits and vegetables in the menu. The diet should include:

dairy products;
various types of cereals;
bran;
vegetables and fruits.

When preparing dishes, it is better to use the steam cooking method. Try not to eat foods that are too hot, as they provoke the formation of new foci of erosion in the stomach.

Do not overuse antibiotics. It is necessary to take such drugs only as prescribed by the attending physician in compliance with all rules and dosages according to the instructions.

Uncontrolled use of antibiotics will ultimately lead to an imbalance of the intestinal microflora, which can lead to serious pathological changes in the future.

Folk remedies

The experience of traditional medicine is effectively used to prevent and eliminate the root cause of the appearance of black stools.

If black stool is caused by eating foods that stain the stool, time is the best remedy.

After a certain period and exclusion of these foods from the diet, the stool will acquire a natural color.

The use of one or another traditional medicine depends on the purpose of its use. For gastritis, it is effective to use:

flax seeds;
green apples;
freshly squeezed potato juice;
infusion of herbs chamomile, St. John's wort, yarrow.

What is worth remembering when using such recipes is that you should not rely only on the effect of folk remedies; their use is justified only in combination with a course of medication.

Bowel gases

Gases are a natural byproduct of food digestion and fermentation as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract. An adult excretes about 0.2-0.5 liters of gas per day.

Gas formation occurs during the digestion process in the stomach due to the activity of microorganisms that inhabit the intestines. They decompose nutrients, releasing hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

A normal increase in the amount of gases is considered:

when consumed in large quantities of carbohydrates and fiber;
swallowing large amounts of air while drinking and eating;
consuming foods that stimulate fermentation processes, as well as dairy products for lactose intolerance.

An increase in the amount of gases can be observed with the following pathologies.

Intestinal dysbiosis.
Celiac disease.
Irritable bowel syndrome.
Malabsorption.
Enzyme deficiency of the pancreas.
Chronic liver diseases: hepatitis, cholecystitis, cirrhosis.
Chronic intestinal diseases (enteritis, colitis).
Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, gastritis.

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Forecast

Gastritis has become a common disease of our time, which is associated with the fast pace of modern life, irregular and poor-quality nutrition.

Experts say there has been a significant increase in this disease over the past 10 years. According to statistics, in developed countries, 95% of the population has problems with the digestive system.

People who drink large doses of alcohol and take corticosteroids are at risk. Pathological changes that occur in the body at advanced stages of the disease cause bleeding, the symptom of which is the appearance of black feces.

Treatment of gastritis in the early stages is effective and treatable. In advanced stages, the disease will cause significant complications:

stomach ulcers;
bleeding;
transition of the disease to a chronic form.

Esophageal cancer is a common disease in adults. If there is bleeding in the later stages of the disease, such people experience black stool.

The earlier the disease is detected, the greater the likelihood of a favorable prognosis in the treatment of the disease.

In total, there are 4 stages and each of them has its own healing process:

first stage - 90%;
second stage - 50%;
third stage - only 10% live 10 years;
stage four - life expectancy is no more than 6 months and there is practically no chance of cure.

Black feces can be the result of either a harmless reaction of the body or be a harbinger of serious problems that require immediate treatment.

Normal stool from a healthy person has a brown tint, and any deviations indicate an abnormal reaction of the body to the processes occurring in it.