Feces, Poop & Butt Issues / Question
Published: July 1, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I know this is gross but what does it mean when my feces are really green?
Signed: Green Feces
Dear Green Feces,
It is not gross; it is actually a very good question. There are many reasons why a person's stool (feces) could be green, none of them serious. The mostly obvious cause would be from eating green food. Green, leafy vegetables contain chlorophyll, which can color the stool green. Foods that have certain kind of additives, such as artificial flavors or colors, may also have a greening effect. For younger children eating a green crayons or green paint will also do the trick. Iron supplements or even iron rich food can lend a green hue to stool.
A stool can also appear green for physical reasons and not just because of what you ate. The bile that is secreted in the first part of the small intestine is actually green. As a stool passes through the large intestine it is turned into a darker brown color. If a stool is still green by the time it is excreted, it could mean that it passed through the large intestine too fast to be changed in color. This mostly occurs in cases of diarrhea, which can be an indication of other problems or lead to dehydration.
If you continue to have a green stool or have blood in your stool, chronic diarrhea or your bowel habits change in any other way then you should consult with a doctor. These could be signals of a more serious problem.
If you would like to meet with a doctor from the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health in Morristown, New Jersey, you can make an appointment by calling 973-971-6475
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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