Factors affecting stool

Gaseous discharge that accompanies bowel movement with a strong odour.

Stool consistency, measured by the weight of waste products in relation to water.

A condition where stools float in water, often indicating undigested fats.

A strong, foul odour often associated with dyspepsia, indicating painful digestion.

A sweet, unusual odour in stool, often indicating melena (digested blood).

A sour or acidic odour in stool, often indicating diarrhoea.

The presence of pus or mucus in stool, suggesting infection or inflammation in the digestive system.

The presence of undigested food in stool, indicating a potential digestive malfunction.

Fresh blood in stool, indicating lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Black stool, indicating upper gastrointestinal bleeding or nasogastric bleeding.

The frequency of bowel movements, typically ranging from once or twice a day to twice or three times a week.

The consistency of stool can vary from soft and formed to liquid or hard and dry, depending on dietary intake, fluid intake, and speed of peristalsis.

The amount of stool passed daily varies based on diet. Normal amount is 60 to 300 grams.

Normal stool color is yellowish-brown due to the presence of bile. Abnormal color can indicate gastrointestinal problems or changes in the stool's contents.

Gray stool, often called acholic stool, indicates a lack of bile in the stool, suggesting a possible issue with the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts.

Dark, black, or tarry stool, known as melena, signifies digested blood in the stool, potentially due to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract or swallowed blood from an injury.

Bright red blood in the stool, called enterorrhagia, indicates rectal or lower colon bleeding, potentially from hemorrhoids or cancer.

Yellow or greenish stool suggests the presence of microorganisms, indicating a potential infection.

The shape of stool typically reflects the shape of the colon. Round, oval, or cylindrical are common shapes.

Stool has a characteristic odor, which may be altered by dietary factors or medical conditions.