Loose green stools in an adult

In the digestive system, various biochemical processes constantly undergo, allowing the body not only quickly digest the food you eat, but also support the work of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal path). If all systems are working properly, then the stool will have a uniform consistency and a brownish color. The color of the faeces may vary slightly depending on the foods prevailing in the diet. But what disturbances in the work of the body can be indicated by liquid green stools in an adult? More about this and will be discussed in this article.

The reasons for this phenomenon

Stool discoloration that is not accompanied by abdominal pain is usually associated with certain foods. First of all, this applies to food that contains natural dyes:

• excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates, due to which fermentation in the patient's intestines increases;
• foods that contain a lot of iron;
• regular consumption of vegetable dishes. This usually occurs when following a vegetarian diet.

On a note! If the cause of green stool is not associated with the use of such products, then pathological disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract can provoke a color change. In this case, a medical diagnosis is required.

According to statistics, greening of feces is most often associated with an increase in the amount of bilirubin (bile pigment). It is caused by abnormalities in the functioning of the gallbladder. But there are other pathological abnormalities in the functioning of internal organs that cause liquid green stools.

Let's consider the most common ones:

• the consequences of taking antibacterial drugs;
• disruption of the circulatory system;
• liver failure;
• salmonellosis, dysentery or enteritis;
• the development of intestinal infections;
• gastric ulcer;
• internal bleeding;
• the development of an inflammatory process that affects the intestinal mucosa;
• inability to metabolize lactose (intolerance);
• imbalance in the intestinal microflora;
• food intoxication.

Important! Of all the above reasons, the most dangerous for the human body are infectious pathologies occurring in an acute form. If the patient is not provided with timely medical care, the infection can result in serious complications.

Associated symptoms

In addition to changing the shade of the stool, the patient may have other signs that must be paid attention to. The accompanying symptoms that occur with the appearance of green stools include:

• severe migraine;
• fainting, dizziness;
• temperature increase;
• attacks of nausea and vomiting;
• loss of appetite or complete loss of it;
• general weakness of the body;
• the appearance of impurities of mucus or foam in the stool;
• unpleasant or even painful sensations in the abdomen.

The development of such symptoms cannot be ignored, therefore at their first manifestations, you need to see a doctor. Only a timely appeal to a specialist will make it possible to diagnose in time and cure a possible ailment.

When do you need a doctor's help?

There are many factors that provoked the appearance of green diarrhea. This phenomenon can occur as a result of the development of serious pathologies, excessive consumption of drinks containing artificial colors. But if this symptom does not go away within 2-3 days, then it makes sense to seek help from a doctor.

You need to visit the hospital immediately if:

• diarrhea lasting more than 3 days;
• the patient suffers from heart failure or diabetes mellitus;
• the patient has previously undergone surgery, especially on the abdominal cavity;
• diarrhea is accompanied by bouts of vomiting;
• the patient is over 60 years old;
• in addition to loose stools, flatulence and increased gas production occurred;
• impurities of blood or mucus are present in the stool;
• a sharp pain appeared in the abdomen;
• the increased body temperature does not subside for more than 3 days.

The presence of accompanying symptoms should be a signal in order to consult a doctor for a diagnostic examination. This will allow not only to identify pathology at an early stage of development, but also to speed up the healing process due to timely treatment.

Diagnostic features

Since different pathologies can cause liquid green stools, the doctor must make the correct diagnosis before prescribing a course of therapy. For this, he assigns a number of diagnostic studies.

Diagnostics consists in carrying out the following procedures:

• visual examination of the patient;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• a blood test for the presence of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes;
• general and bacteriological analysis of feces.

Based on the results obtained, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Only after this is the appropriate course of therapy prescribed. As a rule, it all comes down to changing the diet or taking vitamin supplements. But in rare cases, a more serious approach is required.

Treatment methods

As noted earlier, an accurate diagnosis must be made before prescribing a course of treatment. Then, depending on the development of a particular disease, a therapeutic course is selected, consisting of adhering to a special diet, taking pharmacy drugs or traditional medicine. In rare cases, doctors resort to surgery. Let's take a look at each of these methods separately.

Medicines

Often, when green diarrhea appears, the patient is prescribed sorbent drugs, the most common of which are:

• "Polyphepan";
• "Kaolin";
• Cholestyramine;
• "Smecta" and others.

If frequent diarrhea is accompanied by bouts of vomiting, then the doctor prescribes to prevent dehydration of the body taking special medications that help replenish the body's fluid supply and are useful substances. As a rule, "Cytroglucosolan", "Regidron", etc. cope with this purpose. As a supplement, the patient is advised to drink a lot of fruit drinks, herbal decoctions or tea.

To avoid serious consequences, you need to select a course of therapy together with your doctor. For example, if the cause of the green stool was the wrong diet, then the symptoms can be eliminated with the help of a properly set diet, and if the green diarrhea was caused by the development of an intestinal infection, then long-term treatment with antibacterial drugs or other potent means.

ethnoscience

You can supplement traditional treatment with the help of proven traditional medicine recipes. Of course, before using this or that remedy, you must first find out the cause of the development of diarrhea. In addition, all actions must be agreed with the attending physician. Below are some of the most effective traditional medicines used to treat loose green stools.

Table. Folk remedies for green stools.

Name of the product, photo	Description
Blueberry kissel	A healthy berry that contains many nutrients and medicinal substances that can eliminate diarrhea. In this case, jelly is used - this is not only a useful, but also a tasty remedy. Regular use of jelly can improve the functioning of the digestive system and the general condition of the patient. Also, blueberry jelly creates a special film that protects the intestinal wall from pathogenic microorganisms.
St. John's wort decoction	St. John's wort is a unique medicinal plant used in folk medicine in the treatment of various diseases, including green diarrhea. To prepare the broth, pour 300 ml of boiling water 1 tbsp. l. chopped plant and leave for 20 minutes. The cooled agent should be taken three times a day, 100 ml. For the best effect, the broth should be drunk 30 minutes before meals.
Wormwood tincture	Wormwood is used to treat various forms of diarrhea. To prepare this medicine, you must mix 1 tbsp. l. plants and 200 ml of water. Then cook the ingredients for 10-15 minutes. The product should be taken cold, not hot, so it should be cooled before use. Drink the prepared infusion throughout the day, mix with a little sugar if desired.
Nut infusion	Another recipe for traditional medicine that allows you to cope with bouts of diarrhea is an infusion of walnuts, or rather, from their kernels. To prepare the infusion, you need to grind 2 tbsp. l. kernels in a mortar. After that, pour all this with 400 ml of boiling water and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Strain the finished infusion through cheesecloth to get rid of the remnants of the nut, and take 100 ml daily. As with other folk remedies, this infusion is recommended to be taken before meals. The duration of the treatment course is until all the symptoms of the pathology are eliminated.
Oak bark decoction	Pour 1 tbsp. l. chopped oak bark 200 ml of pure water and simmer over low heat for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This drug is especially effective in the treatment of chronic diarrhea. Take the finished product 3 times a day, 50 ml for 1-2 weeks.
Rowan juice	Copes well with bouts of diarrhea, including green diarrhea, rowan juice. During treatment, you need to drink 50 ml of juice 2 times a day, preferably 30 minutes before meals.

On a note! Folk remedies in the treatment of green stools can only be used for adult patients. If diarrhea occurs in children or the elderly, then it is necessary to consult a specialist to choose a therapeutic course.

Nutrition

Regardless of the prescribed course of treatment, the patient must follow a special diet throughout this period. As a rule, it consists in giving up the use of the following products:

• spices and hot spices;
• fried, smoked and fatty foods;
• alcoholic and sweet carbonated drinks;
• sweets, chocolate and other sweets;
• White bread.

Along with the elimination of harmful products the diet needs to be replenished with jelly, cereals, low-fat broths and various vegetable soups. Also, the patient must observe the drinking regime, that is, drink at least 2 liters of water per day. This will help prevent dehydration and the development of heart, kidney, or lung disease. The attending physician must inform the patient about all important points in the patient's diet.

Surgical intervention

In rare cases, doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment. This is usually done to prevent serious complications and death. Modern medicine offers various methods of surgery that reduce the likelihood of complications to a minimum. The most effective methods include laparoscopy, which is characterized by a shorter recovery period and less painful sensations that occur during the operation. Laparoscopy is considered to be the optimal surgical method for sparing the body.

Prevention measures

By observing these preventive measures, you can prevent the appearance of not only loose green stools, but also other problems with the functioning of the digestive system.

Step 1. Practice good personal hygiene and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. This allows you to exclude contact with various types of infections that can provoke the development of diarrhea. Always wash your hands with soap and water when blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, after changing baby diapers and after using the toilet. If you do not have the opportunity to wash your hands every time, then use a special disinfectant or wipes. For convenience, always carry them in your pocket.

Step 2. Avoid foods that can lead to loose stools from your diet. This is especially true for various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (irritable bowel syndrome). Excessive consumption of coarse fiber, which is found in vegetables and fruits, can also provoke diarrhea. Some people may have an individual lactose intolerance, therefore, when using fermented milk products, various problems with the intestines may occur.

Step 3. Eat only the "right" food. Liquid green stools can only be avoided if insoluble fiber is present in the diet in moderation. These include foods such as pasta, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and whole grain bread. Eat fractionally, that is, in small portions, but often. Avoid overeating. You also need to make sure that you do not drink water about 1 hour before meals - this will slow down metabolic processes in the body.

Step 4. Take care of the hygiene of the kitchen when preparing different dishes. All kitchen utensils, cutting boards and countertops should be washed thoroughly, especially after preparing meat dishes. By regularly cleaning all surfaces in the kitchen, you can prevent the spread of pathogens that can cause diarrhea if they enter the human digestive system. Hands should be washed frequently with soap and water throughout the cooking process.

Step 5. All vegetables and fruits must be thoroughly washed before use. Moreover, this applies not only to purchased products from the market, but also to those grown with their own hands. This will help prevent food poisoning, which is often accompanied by loose stools.

Step 6. Observe the technology of cooking egg and meat dishes. The fact is that poorly cooked meat, fish or eggs can be a carrier of various parasites or dangerous microorganisms that, entering the digestive system with food, can cause the development of many gastroenterological pathologies. Make sure the eggs and meat are sufficiently baked, boiled, or fried. When choosing products, be sure to consider the expiration date, their color and smell.

Step 7. All food should be kept refrigerated. Storing food for a long time at room temperature can lead to multiply pathogenic microorganisms that contribute to the appearance of loose stools, including green ones. If you want to defrost something, you need to do it in the refrigerator.

As an alternative place the food to be thawed in an airtight container and place in a saucepan or deep plate filled with cool water. Otherwise, if, for example, a frozen piece of meat or fish is defrosting just like that, without airtight packaging, this can create a favorable habitat for various bacteria. As a result, there is increased gas production, pain in the intestines or diarrhea. Follow all of the above preventive measures and you will not be afraid of most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract!

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