Dark green stool is it normal

Greenish stool could indicate that you have a bacterial infection salmonella or E. Any number of colors from the crayon box can pop up in your poop, says Dr. Fruits and food dyes offer a rainbow of options and are typically the most common cause of non-brown stool. That being said, oddly colored poop might indicate something that needs attention — particularly if it lingers or comes with symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, bleeding, fever and vomiting.

Pale poop or blood-tinged stool is of particular concern, too. A gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic explains why your doo may be a different hue. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. If you've recently started getting the birth control shot, you might be seeing changes to your stool. Depo-Provera medroxyprogesterone has been known to cause green poop as a side effect — although why that occurs is still up for debate.

Worden notes "anything that changes hormones can also affect the biliary system," including the liver and gallbladder, and if what you consume isn't being broken down normally, it could increase the odds of green stool. Green stool in and of itself is "not necessarily a cause for concern," says Eswaren. If you see another color change, however, she'd want to hear from you ASAP.

If you have green poop with diarrhea that's not clearing up, or one of your medications seems to be causing a sour stomach along with tinged stool, then you'd want to contact your doctor for new or different treatment. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter.

By Jenna Birch Updated December 20, Save Pin FB More. All rights reserved. The most common reason for green stool is a dietary habit or change. Food that can cause green stools include:. Dark green vegetables and green powder supplements contain chlorophyll , the chemical that allows plants to make energy from the sun. Keep eating those greens! This can also leave a colorful residue in your stool. So if you wake up after a St. Purple, blue, and black dyes may also lead to green poop.

For example, in , fast food chain Burger King went viral with posts from individuals who had purchased their Halloween Whopper which had a black bun. Many people who partook in the Halloween Whopper reported that it turned their poop green after eating it.

Bile is a fluid made in your liver and stored in your gallbladder. This fluid naturally has a green-yellow color. When bile combines with foods you eat, the bile helps your body break down more fat from the diet. This allows more fat to be absorbed into your body in the small intestine. However, your body must break down bile so it can be excreted as waste. Normally, this is accomplished by traveling a pathway through your intestine.

The result can be poop that appears green in tint because of the natural green color of bile salts in your body. This decreases the population of the brown-staining bacteria in your lower intestine. Probiotics , such as yogurt or kombucha , can help restore balance to your intestinal flora. Several other medications and supplements can also cause a breakdown in pigments that turns your stool green. One example is iron supplements. Parasitic, viral, and bacterial invaders can also be causing your green stool.

Yes, your body already contains billions of bacteria that serve a vital purpose. Outsiders, however, can wreak all sorts of havoc on your intestinal output. Bacteria like Salmonella the common culprit behind most food poisoning , the water parasite giardia , and norovirus can cause your guts to flush quicker than normal, which can lead to green-tinged stools. Celiac disease, which is an intolerance to gluten, causes a variety of GI problems, such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

If you have diarrhea or loose stools with celiac disease, you may also have green stools. Other possible causes of green stools include irritable bowel syndrome , ulcerative colitis , and overuse of laxatives , since all of these issues can cause rapid bile movement through the intestines.