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How often do you notice the color of your own stool? Don't get me wrong, the color of the stool can determine or be a sign of a disease, you know. Although it is not always a sign of a certain health problem, stool discoloration occurs due to various things. So, what if the stool suddenly turns orange? Is this normal?
The cause of the color of the stool turns orange
Stool color is also largely influenced by the food you eat. Even though it is, bile and bacteria that are in your stomach will give color to the stool.
If suddenly the color of your stool turns orange, don't panic yet. Not always dangerous or indicative of a specific medical condition, discoloration of stool can be a normal condition.
Here are some possible causes for stool to turn orange.
1. Your diet
Your diet or daily diet is a common cause of orange stool color. Any food or drink with a distinctive color can change the color of your stool. For example, if you eat a lot of blueberries or drink soda that contains blue coloring, it can turn your stool blue.
When your stool turns orange, it could be because your food contains excess beta carotene. Beta carotene is an orange pigment found in fruits and vegetables.
Foods rich in beta carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, and some leafy greens. However, usually beta carotene in vegetables and fruit will not make your stool turn orange.
Meanwhile, artificial food coloring is also very likely to make the stool turn orange. Usually, the artificial dyes that cause this condition are red, orange, or yellow dyes. Artificial coloring agents like this are pretty much contained in soft drinks or packaged foods.
2. Indigestion
Generally, the stool is brown. This color is obtained from bile which is produced by the body when it digests food and bacteria in the intestines.
Now, if the stool is unable to absorb this bile, the stool will turn gray or light brown. Usually, this happens when you have diarrhea or impaired liver function.
In addition, another condition that causes stool to change color is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD occurs when stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus, causing inflammation and damage.
GERD has also been associated with several other symptoms, including:
- burning sensation in the chest
- heartburn
- belching
- nausea and vomiting
- chronic cough and wheezing
- sore throat, hoarseness, or change in voice
- difficulty swallowing
- chest pain
- sour taste in mouth
3. Medicines
Certain drugs, such as the antibiotic rifampin, can cause stool to turn orange or other abnormal colors. Medicines that contain aluminum hydroxide, such as antacids, can also make stool turn orange or gray in some people.
In addition, beta carotene can also be found in some supplements and medicines, which can make stools orange.
Also, undergoing imaging tests such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) scan, or PET (positron emission tomography) can temporarily change stool color.
