Why is feces yellow in color and what to do?

A person does not always notice changes in the density or color of feces. However, it is difficult not to notice yellow feces - an unusual color may indicate the presence of some painful conditions, intoxications, disorders. Of course, the cause is not always a disease. Therefore, you should not worry in advance: perhaps the information we provide will help you navigate the symptoms and determine the presence or absence of pathology.

Causes yellow stool

Light yellow stool is considered one of the typical signs of problems with the liver and biliary system. Yellowing of feces is caused by a low content of bilirubin, which does not pass well with bile due to impaired liver function or obstruction of the bile ducts. At the same time, the level of bilirubin in the blood increases. When there is too much of it, not only the feces turn yellow, but also the skin and sclera. In addition, bilirubin puts a strain on the kidneys: the urine darkens and becomes similar in color to beer.

Foul-smelling yellow stool often becomes a sign of a malfunctioning pancreas. A deficiency or absolute deficiency of some enzymes leads to the impossibility of breaking down fats: as a result, the stool becomes lighter and acquires an unpleasant odor. In addition to pancreatitis, this condition is observed in patients with celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, tumor processes, and blockage of the bile ducts.

White-yellow feces can also be observed in a practically healthy person – as a result of regular dietary errors, with the systematic consumption of fatty foods and milk.

Another normal variant is considered to be bright yellow stools appearing during treatment with certain medications: antibiotics, antifungal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Feces turn yellow during long-term use of contraceptives or anti-gout drugs, as well as during abuse of vitamin preparations. As a rule, after finishing taking such medications, the color of the stool returns to normal.

Risk factors

The yellow color of feces can indicate what foods a person consumed the day before and how well the digestive process was going. The following factors can also influence the yellowing of stool:

• dietary features;
• taking medications;
• disorder of the motor and excretory functions of the digestive tract;
• metabolic disorders;
• consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• pathologies of the liver, biliary system, pancreas.

Yellow stool can come in a variety of shades, from yellowish-white to yellow-brown or deep orange.

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Pathogenesis

Yellowing of stool can be associated with many factors, such as the quality of the food eaten or the enzymatic activity of the digestive system.

All basic enzymes are needed to break down large protein or fat molecules for their best absorption by the body. The breakdown of carbohydrate molecules largely occurs in the oral cavity. Fats are mainly emulsified and digested in the intestinal cavity. The breakdown of protein food occurs mainly in the stomach.

If any processes associated with the digestion of food components are disrupted, this can lead to a change in the color of feces - for example, yellowing of feces is often associated with incomplete digestion of food, or with an obvious failure in the functioning of the biliary system.

Digestive processes are a complex and finely tuned mechanism that instantly responds to any change in diet and nutritional rhythm. Therefore, if a person periodically or constantly has yellow feces, then a thorough diagnosis of the digestive organs should be carried out, and only then conclusions should be made about the possible presence of a particular pathology.

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Epidemiology

There are no special statistics on the frequency of detection of yellow feces in patients. Presumably, this symptom is diagnosed in every fifth patient who seeks medical help for diseases of the digestive organs and metabolic processes.

Yellow stool is more often found in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, are prone to obesity, as well as in people prone to overeating and alcohol addiction.

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Symptoms

Yellowing of stool may indicate the presence of the following disorders:

• accelerated passage of food masses through the intestines (may be associated with various reasons - for example, with digestive reflux);
• deficiency of bile secretion;
• acute microbial infection;
• genetically determined difficulties in digesting gluten – the so-called celiac disease;
• inflammatory processes in the biliary system;
• the presence of Giardia in the intestines (giardiasis);
• liver disease;
• increased bilirubin levels;
• intestinal disorder.

To accurately determine the disease that is accompanied by yellowing of the stool, you need to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

First signs

Most often, normal feces are brown, so its yellowing alarms many and adds concern. Yellowness is mainly due to the presence of bilirubin in the mass - the result of hemoglobin breakdown, as well as other bile pigments. Due to the different content of bilirubin, the color of feces changes from yellow-white to yellow-brown.

In many people, the change in the color of feces is not related to pathology - for example, it is caused by dietary habits or taking certain medications. In such a situation, a person does not feel or observe other signs that could indicate the presence of a disease.

There is reason to worry if yellowing of the stool is detected against the background of other painful symptoms:

• Yellow-green stool, accompanied by diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and bouts of nausea are probable signs of an infectious lesion of the digestive system (for example, salmonellosis).
• Liquid yellow stool with pain in the abdomen and/or back, with simultaneous darkening of urine - this is a sign of problems with the hepatobiliary system.
• Black and yellow stool against the background of abdominal pain, general weakness, pale skin and tachycardia are signs of bleeding in the digestive tract (for example, a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer may bleed).
• Yellow urine and yellow feces - if these symptoms are not accompanied by other complaints, then you should analyze your diet over the past couple of days. For example, this happens after eating a lot of citrus fruits, dried apricots, persimmons, pears or apples. The same symptoms are observed when taking large doses of multivitamin preparations - Revit, Undevit, ascorbic acid. If the feces are very yellow, then this is possible if dairy products and peas predominated in the menu. This condition does not require any treatment, and the color of the feces returns to normal after dietary adjustments.
• Yellow stool with blood, accompanied by abdominal pain and bouts of nausea are signs of bleeding in the intestinal cavity. If this condition is accompanied by diarrhea, one can suspect a lesion by amoebas or lamblia - parasitic protozoa.
• Yellow feces with red streaks against the background of constipation indicate a violation of the integrity of the mucous tissues in the intestine. This happens with ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, tumor processes.
• Yellow foamy stool is often associated with an infectious lesion and is accompanied by constant or paroxysmal nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. A mild course of the disease may stop on its own, but in severe forms, dehydration and exhaustion of the body often develop. Yellow mucus instead of feces, a strong unpleasant odor with a stool frequency of up to five times a day are found in yersiniosis colitis - this pathology is similar to acute appendicitis or ulcerative colitis, and is sometimes accompanied by simultaneous damage to the joints, liver, and spleen.
• Yellow stool and diarrhea with a stool volume exceeding 1000 ml is a reason for urgent medical consultation. If the patient is not provided with timely assistance, dehydration, metabolic acidosis, and hypovolemia may occur.
• Yellow stool and fever often accompany acute intestinal infection caused by E. coli. Moderate manifestations of intoxication syndrome are present: chills, feeling of weakness, loss of appetite. The temperature rises to 38°C, the patient complains of paroxysmal pain in the lower abdomen. Diarrhea caused by dysentery bacteria or salmonella is especially severe: stool is repeated up to 20 times a day, vomiting and yellow stool are observed, and the temperature rises to 40°C. Tachycardia, a drop in blood pressure, headaches are noted.
• Mushy yellow stool is observed in approximately every fourth patient taking antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy is accompanied by at least three episodes of mushy stool over a couple of days in a row. Most often, this condition is associated with increased bacterial growth against the background of obligate intestinal flora suppressed by antibiotics.
• Constipation and yellow stool may be signs of so-called traveler's diarrhea. This condition develops as a result of changes: diet, frequency of meals, climate conditions. All this is a kind of stress for the body, which provokes the appearance of such symptoms. Most often, constipation is replaced by diarrhea, tenesmus, nausea, abdominal cramps may occur. In some cases, the painful condition develops after arriving home, within ten days.
• Carrot-colored yellow stool may be caused by increased flow of bile into the ileum and cecum. In such a situation, bile provokes intestinal hyperkinesia with increased secretion of fluid and electrolytes. This condition is called cholegenic diarrhea and occurs after surgery on the small intestine, with inflammation of the ileum, with dysfunction of the biliary system, after cholecystectomy. Yellow stool after gallbladder removal is often accompanied by abundant watery defecation of bright yellow or greenish color, as well as pain in the right iliac region.
• Yellow mucus in the stool can be caused by both antibiotics and other medications: in particular, magnesium preparations, proton pump inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, laxatives, cardiac glycosides, essential phospholipids can become the "culprits". The condition often occurs with abdominal pain, gastric discomfort, belching and nausea
• Yellow streaks in stool are often found in Crohn's disease - in about 75% of cases, and especially in affected large intestines. Other symptoms include: unformed stool with mucus or streaks (frequency - at least five times a day), with other pathological impurities (blood, purulent discharge).
• Yellow stool with grains occurs with such a genetic disease as gluten-sensitive celiac disease. This disease is characterized by intolerance to proteins of some cereals: when they are consumed, atrophic processes occur in the mucous membrane of the small intestine, malabsorption syndrome develops. The first signs of the disease appear in childhood: change in stool color, frequent diarrhea, weight loss, swelling, developmental disorders, etc. Stool disorders are usually chronic.
• Stomach pain and yellow stool with a functional disorder - this is the so-called irritable bowel syndrome. In this case, both diarrhea and stool hardening may be observed. Liquid feces are often released in the morning, but in the afternoon and at night there is no diarrhea. Additional symptoms often include: increased gas formation, belching with an unpleasant odor, discomfort in the abdomen.
• Yellow feces in dysbacteriosis is not a typical symptom, but it can be observed in some patients with increased fermentation processes in the intestine. Feces are often liquid, foamy, and have a sour aroma. With a long course, the so-called anorectal syndrome develops, which is accompanied by redness and burning of the area around the anus.
• Yellow stool during chemotherapy can be observed no less often than diarrhea, abdominal pain or subfebrile temperature. These are relatively common side effects: feces can be mushy, watery, with a frequency of up to ten times a day with a small daily volume. Sometimes, on the contrary, there is a constipation of stool of varying duration. This condition is associated in most cases with the development of post-radiation colitis and drug-induced enteropathy.
• Fatty yellow stool is often found in patients with endocrine problems, such as diabetic enteropathy. The disease has a wave-like course, with alternating acute periods and remissions. The stool is watery, with tenesmus. Steatorrhea without signs of emaciation is determined in the laboratory.
• Yellow stool with bits of food against the background of diarrhea is often associated with increased thyroid function. Diagnosis in such a situation tends to be in favor of diffuse toxic goiter. Of course, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies to confirm or refute the diagnosis.
• Yellow stool with pancreatitis is always accompanied by a change in consistency, shape, and smell. In addition to these signs, there is pain in the hypochondrium, radiating to the back, increased gas formation, bloating, and diarrhea. An accurate diagnosis is made only after conducting studies - in particular, it is necessary to do an ultrasound and a coprogram.
• Yellow feces with cholecystitis are distinguished by light shades, and the color of urine often darkens. With chronic cholecystitis, frequent nausea, discomfort and dull pain in the hypochondrium on the right are noted (mainly after eating fatty foods, alcohol, medications).
• Yellow stool during a diet is observed in several cases:
  • if it is a milk diet (for example, a diet of tea with milk or whole milk);
  • if periods of fasting are followed by bouts of overeating (so-called breakdowns);
  • if there are problems with the liver or endocrine system.

Any diet is a kind of stress for the body, so it is necessary to approach the choice of changes in nutrition wisely. If necessary, it is better to consult a nutritionist in advance.

• Yellow stool after diarrhea occurs if a person has taken certain medications to normalize stool - for example, nitrofuran drugs or antibiotics. In addition, it matters what caused the diarrhea: yellowing of stool could be a consequence of inflammatory processes (for example, colitis), hepatitis, hormonal disorders, pancreatic diseases. For a more accurate diagnosis, you need to contact a medical specialist and analyze other existing symptoms.
• Yellow stool with gastritis occurs with difficulty digesting fats, with simultaneous disruption of the pancreas, with increased fermentation in the intestine. Such a condition can be accompanied by a decrease in appetite, weight loss, exhaustion.
• Yellow stool on a carbohydrate-free diet occurs if the diet includes an increased amount of fats, which are difficult for the body to digest. The pancreas works in an enhanced mode, enzyme deficiency occurs, which causes yellowing of the stool. To normalize the digestive function, it is necessary to carefully review the diet so as not to provoke the emergence of other health problems in the future.
• Yellow stool after Ursosan may be a side effect of taking the drug. It is believed that Ursosan, as well as other similar drugs, can cause a change in the color and consistency of feces. If the condition is not accompanied by other negative signs, it will normalize after the end of the course of taking the medication.
• Yellow stool and tongue coating are sure signs of problems with the intestines. For example, white coating and yellowing of stool can be symptoms of colitis, enterocolitis. It is better to get precise information about diagnostics at an appointment with a gastroenterologist.
• Yellow stool after rotavirus may be a consequence of taking medications. If so, the color of the feces should soon return to normal. However, it would not be superfluous to conduct a stool test for dysbacteriosis - perhaps yellowing indicates an imbalance in the intestinal microflora.
• Yellow stool after magnesium indicates an increased load on the digestive system. This can be called a side effect - after stopping taking magnesium sulfate, the condition usually normalizes.
• Yellow feces when eating cabbage happens in small children who are being transferred to complementary feeding. If this happens, then it is better to wait with the introduction of cabbage into complementary feeding - the baby's digestive system is not yet ready to properly digest this vegetable. It is better to return to the topic of introducing cabbage into the diet in 1-2 months.

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Yellow stool in a child

Breastfed babies almost always have yellow feces. This is due to the presence of bilirubin in the mass, which is replaced by stercobilin from the fourth month. A child's milk diet always causes yellowing of feces - be it mother's milk, or formula, or whole cow's milk.

In addition, feces can change color if the baby is overfed, if there is biliary atresia, or if there is liver disease.

Yellow stool in an adult

Yellow color of feces in adults is caused by an abundance of dairy products or calcium in the diet, diseases of the intestines, liver or pancreas. As a rule, these are the basic reasons for such a condition in patients.

The main difference between adult patients and children in this aspect is that in adulthood the body always has many more pathologies and health problems, which can lead to changes in the characteristics of feces.

The most common reasons are considered to be:

• predominance of dairy products and/or fatty foods in the diet;
• impaired function of the pancreas;
• various processes that impede the normal secretion of bile;
• infectious processes in the digestive tract;
• violation of the ratio of normal and opportunistic flora in the intestine;
• liver disease.

A change in the color of feces against the background of an unhealthy consistency and bad smell is an undoubted indicator of an incorrect digestive process. However, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis based on the results of diagnostics.

Yellow stool during pregnancy

Any disease during pregnancy can potentially threaten both the expectant mother and the baby. Therefore, a pregnant woman should consult a doctor on any questions regarding her health. Even though yellow feces are not always a sign of pathology, it is still necessary to undergo an examination.

The most common cause of yellowing of feces is considered to be hormonal changes: during pregnancy, the female body undergoes changes. All sorts of digestive disorders are not uncommon during this period.

The color characteristics of feces often change under the influence of high levels of progesterone. This same hormone also changes the frequency of urine excretion, causes mood swings, bouts of nausea, etc.

Sometimes yellow stool is a consequence of toxicosis, or the result of improper treatment of constipation in women. Reduced tone of smooth muscles is often observed during pregnancy from the first weeks. Such problems must also be treated under the supervision of a medical specialist.

Yellow stool after childbirth

Yellowing of feces may be associated with a disease - in such a situation, appropriate treatment will definitely be prescribed. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, although in many cases after childbirth, there is a disruption in the normal functioning of internal organs, and the general condition of the body after the load is aggravated. If a woman had problems with the hepatobiliary system before pregnancy, then after childbirth the condition almost always worsens - this depends on the specific disease, the severity of the pathology, and the individual characteristics of the patient.

If the yellowing of feces is caused by overloading the body or the predominance of dairy products in the diet, then this problem always goes away on its own. If the change in the color of feces does not affect the functioning of the internal organs, then it is unlikely that you should take any medications and thereby increase the load on the liver. Some time after childbirth, adequate bile secretion is restored and digestive function is stabilized. If necessary, the doctor can prescribe a strict diet that reduces the load on the liver and pancreas.

Yellow stool in a nursing mother

Yellowing of feces in a woman during lactation is mainly associated with a sharp change in diet. Some women begin to consume dairy products and whole milk intensively: many believe that this can promote lactation and increase the volume of breast milk.

A predominantly dairy diet almost always leads to yellowing of the feces. There is nothing terrible in this phenomenon: after correcting the diet and reducing the amount of dairy products in the menu, the color characteristics of the feces will stabilize.

The development of various pathologies in a woman during breastfeeding is not excluded. If there are any other symptoms indicating a disrupted digestive system, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostics yellow stool

When patients seek treatment for yellow stool, most doctors conduct a general examination, after which they collect an anamnesis and issue a referral for a consultation with a gastroenterologist or hepatologist.

A gastroenterologist diagnoses the entire digestive tract, while a hepatologist is a rarer and narrower specialist who treats the liver and biliary system. Less often, a consultation with an endocrinologist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist or surgeon is required.

Laboratory diagnostics are performed to determine the functionality of the hepatobiliary system. The following tests are most often prescribed:

• general clinical blood and urine tests (in particular, the content of direct bilirubin is of interest);
• coprogram – analysis of feces;
• blood test for the quality of pigment metabolism;
• determination of cholinesterase;
• serum enzyme analysis.

In order to finally confirm the suspected diagnosis and determine the stage of the disease, instrumental diagnostics are used:

• Ultrasound of the liver;
• computed tomography;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• radioisotope scanning (scintigraphy);
• liver biopsy (allows to detect hemochromatosis, latent hepatitis B).

Differential diagnostics are primarily carried out with the following pathologies and conditions:

• infectious lesion, inflammatory process in the small intestine, escherichiosis (feces are voluminous, foamy, watery);
• rotavirus infection (temperature rises, gas formation increases);
• hepatitis (viral, parasitic);
• pancreatic diseases (there are signs of poor fat digestibility);
• monotonous diet with a predominance of dairy products.

Yellowing of stool is always assessed on an individual basis: age characteristics, the patient’s general health, eating habits, etc. are taken into account.

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Treatment yellow stool

If the yellowing of feces is associated with the use of a specific type of food product or medication, then you should not worry too much. After adjusting your diet or after completing the treatment course, the color of the feces will be restored.

If yellow stool appears after alcohol poisoning, it is better to consult a doctor: it is important that the poisoning is not followed by unpleasant consequences associated with the functioning of the digestive system.

If liver function is still impaired, or other problems are discovered - with the pancreas, intestines, biliary system - then in this case the doctor will prescribe medications appropriate to the situation.

	Method of administration and dosage	Side effects	Precautionary measures
Ursofalk	For cholestasis, cholangitis, and intoxication, the daily dose of the drug is 10-15 mg/kg of the patient’s weight.	Calcification of gallstones, abdominal pain.	Ursofalk is not used to treat patients with gallstones.
Hofitol	For hepatitis, hepatosis, and non-calculous cholecystitis, take 1-2 tablets three times a day.	Rarely – diarrhea, allergy.	Hofitol is not prescribed for cholelithiasis.
Pancreasim	For eating disorders, during chemotherapy, and dysfunction of the pancreas, take 150 thousand IU orally per day.	Rarely – abdominal discomfort, skin rashes, nausea.	Pancreazim is not used for acute pancreatitis.
Smecta	For colitis, stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, and diarrhea, take 3 g orally three times a day, after dissolving it in 100 ml of water.	Rarely – constipation.	Smecta should not be taken simultaneously with other medications.
Gepabene	For diseases of the biliary system, inflammatory processes in the liver, dyskinesia and toxic hepatitis, take 1 capsule three times a day.	Increased frequency of bowel movements, allergies.	Gepabene is not prescribed during the acute period of inflammatory diseases, as well as to children under six years of age.

Vitamins

If you find yellow feces, it is important to pay attention to your diet. A number of vitamins are needed to support the digestive system - and above all, vitamin E, which maintains the functionality and health of liver cells. Among other things, tocopherol protects hepatocytes from destruction, prevents age-related processes, normalizes hormonal levels, strengthens the immune system, and normalizes metabolic reactions. Tocopherol is present in sufficient quantities in nuts, vegetable oil, and some berries (for example, sea buckthorn, rowan, blackberry). If the liver is already affected, you can go to the pharmacy and buy drugs containing vitamin E.

Lipoic acid plays a major role in normalizing the hepatobiliary system, controlling the processes of fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Lipoic acid eliminates intoxication, reduces the load on the liver.

If yellow feces are one of the signs of liver damage, then it is necessary to replenish the body's reserves of vitamin A. Cod liver and fatty fish are rich in this vitamin. You can also buy pharmaceutical drugs such as Aevit or capsules with fish oil.

Physiotherapy treatment

Treatment of many pathologies, in particular those associated with the appearance of yellow feces, is carried out in a complex manner, using physiotherapy. It is worth noting right away that in the presence of internal bleeding, a tumor process or ascites, physiotherapy procedures are not prescribed.

Also considered contraindications are:

• acute period of inflammatory disease;
• severe complications;
• special conditions of the patient.

The types of procedures may be as follows:

• Diathermy – heating of tissues using high-frequency currents. Appropriate for hepatitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis, cirrhosis, dyskinesia, bile stasis.
• Inductothermy is the use of an alternating electromagnetic high-frequency field, which is capable of penetrating into parenchyma tissue by an average of 7 cm. It is prescribed for inflammatory processes, degenerative-dystrophic and adhesive processes.
• Electrophoresis is a local transcutaneous method of administering medications that affect the affected organ. It is appropriate for cholecystitis, pancreatitis, and diabetes.
• UHF therapeutic method – the effect of heat from an ultra-high frequency electromagnetic field. It is used for liver injuries, cirrhosis, biliary dysfunction, cholangitis or cholecystitis, hepatitis.

Folk remedies

If yellowing of stool is the only disturbing symptom, then you can try to get rid of it using folk remedies. Of course, it is better to consult a doctor first.

• Squeeze 400 ml of juice from apples, add 60 g of honey. Take the potion 100 ml 4 times a day.
• Take 200 ml of juice obtained from black radish and natural honey, mix and take 25 ml three times a day.
• Eat fried corn with honey several times a day, every day.
• Eat 50-150 g of fresh strawberries every morning on an empty stomach.
• Squeeze the juice from the celery rhizome and take 50 ml up to three times a day before meals.

It is useful to include olive or flaxseed oil in your diet - these are very effective products for maintaining the normal function of the digestive system.

And some more good tips:

• start your day with a spoonful of vegetable oil, washed down with water with lemon or grapefruit juice;
• drink beetroot juice little by little throughout the day;
• Include avocado in your diet – its fruits contain substances that improve the functioning of the liver and biliary system.

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Herbal treatment

• Prepare a collection of 20 g of yarrow, 20 g of immortelle, 20 g of wormwood, 20 g of fennel, 20 g of mint leaves. Take 2 tbsp of the resulting collection, steam in 500 ml of boiling water (in a thermos) for 40 minutes. Add 1 full tablespoon of honey to the warm infusion and take 100 ml a quarter of an hour before any meal.
• Prepare a mixture of 40 g of mint leaves, 30 g of wormwood, 30 g of immortelle flowers. Pour 2 tbsp of the mixture into 500 ml of boiling water and leave in a thermos for 40 minutes. Drink 100 ml half an hour before any meal. For sweetness, you can add a little honey.
• Take 40 g of nettle rhizome, 30 g of dandelion rhizome and 30 g of rose hips. Pour 2 tbsp of the mixture into 500 ml of boiling water and leave in a thermos for 1.5 hours. Take 100 ml three times a day half an hour before meals for a month. The treatment can be repeated after a 10-day break.

Homeopathy

Treatment with homeopathic remedies is becoming more and more popular every year. Such remedies practically do not cause side effects, while at the same time there is a positive result from such treatment.

Homeopathic remedies are also permitted to be used for prophylactic purposes – to prevent many painful conditions.

Let's look at some of the most effective and popular medications that can be used to normalize digestive processes, including when stool turns yellow.

• Hepel - tablets are taken under the tongue between meals, 1 tablet up to 3 times a day.
• Galstena - prescribed if yellow stool is caused by diseases such as pancreatitis or cholecystitis. Take 1 tablet under the tongue, half an hour before meals.
• Hepar compositum is used for hepatitis, cholecystitis, cirrhosis, cholangitis, and intoxications. Dosages of the drug are individual.
• Gepa Edas 953 – take 4-5 granules three times a day after meals.
• Adaptosan – cleanses the body and liver, normalizes the nature of stool, increases immune protection. Take 5-7 granules under the tongue. The frequency and duration of administration is determined individually.

Surgical treatment

The help of a surgeon may be required if the appearance of yellow feces is associated with gallstone disease or calculous cholecystitis. In this case, several options for surgical solution of the problem are distinguished:

• traditional intervention (standard, open access) – cholecystectomy with upper midline or right oblique laparotomy access;
• laparoscopy with cholecystectomy;
• cholecystoligotomy.

Surgery is prescribed when it is not possible to treat the disease conservatively, or when there are strict contraindications to drug and litholytic treatment.

The method of performing surgical intervention is determined by the doctor, based on the individual characteristics of the patient and the disease.

Complications and consequences

The likelihood of adverse effects depends on the cause of yellow stool. With normal functioning of the bile excretion system, stable digestive function, the problem of yellowing of feces can be solved by following a diet and changing your lifestyle, without any further health complications.

In rare situations, surgery may be necessary, but most often, yellowing of stool can be eliminated with a special medication course that combines medication, dietary changes, and other procedures.

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Prevention

There are many different ways to normalize the digestive tract and stimulate the hepatobiliary system, which helps prevent the appearance of yellow feces:

• you need to move a lot: walk, run, swim, dance, do physical exercise - this will increase the intensity of bile secretion;
• you should not eat food in a hurry: breakfast, lunch and dinner should be complete and take place at approximately the same time;
• you should limit your consumption of fatty, sweet, salty and spicy foods, as well as alcohol;
• you should not overeat, or abstain from eating for a long time;
• It is necessary to protect the nervous system: stress and anxiety worsen the quality of food digestion and provoke the appearance of spasms.

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Forecast

Predicting the prognosis for patients who have a symptom such as yellow stool is quite difficult due to the different etiologies of this condition. Generally speaking, the prognosis is worse if severe complications are diagnosed - for example, internal bleeding, fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, hepatic encephalopathy, colic. The possibility of timely treatment of patients improves the quality of the long-term prognosis.