Are you worried about your Green Stool?
In infants, if breast feeding is not completed sufficiently enough so that your child is getting all the high-fat-content milk from one side of the body, this can have an effect on their ability to properly digest the milk and thus lead to green coloured stool. A lack of normal intestinal bacteria in infants who are being breast fed is another possible cause.
If you are feeding your baby protein hydrolysate formula due to a milk or soy allergy this is also known to cause green stool.
In children and adults, diets high in spinach and other green veg, as well as food dyes, are common causes of green stool.
It is normal for Iron supplements to change the colour of your stool to a dark green, however as dark coloured stool is associated with internal bleeding, if you notice any other symptoms contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Finally, diarrhoea is another common cause of green stool for infants, children, and adults.
If you believe your green stool is being caused by diarrhoea, there are several steps we can take to combat this:
Rehydrating - Consuming fluids is vital to recovery, water and sports drinks can help rehydrate the body, whilst you should avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Changes in diet – Smaller meals more often is ideal for recovery from diarrhoea. Foods high in pectin (fruits) and potassium (potatoes) are recommended, whilst greasy, spicy foods are not.
Probiotics - Helping to support digestion and fight infection, probiotics are present in some yoghurts and are also available to buy online.
Medicines - Over the counter drugs can also stave off the effects of diarrhoea, talk to your pharmacist to find out more.
Although green stool is often not a sign of a more serious medical issue, there are times when seeing a GP or seeking medical attention would be recommended, particularly when your discoloured stool is accompanied by other, more worrying symptoms.
You should seek further medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Symptoms have lasted for more than a few days
- Appearing dehydrated
- Severe pain
Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:
- Diet high in green vegetables
- Food dyes
- Iron supplements
- Lack of normal intestinal bacteria in breast-fed infants
- Not finishing breast-feeding entirely on one side