Giardia lamblia , the most common intestinal parasite in the world, causes the infection. A person can contract this parasite by drinking contaminated water or being in close contact with someone who has the infection.
The most common symptoms of giardiasis include stomach pain, headache , swollen stomach, vomiting, and fever.
A doctor can write a prescription for a drug that kills the parasite. With treatment, most people feel better in a few days. Certain drugs and medications can damage the liver, especially when a person takes more than the dosage their doctor or the manufacturers recommend. Over-the-counter OTC remedies, for example, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can harm the liver.
A person who notices a pale stool after taking a new medication or after taking OTC pain relievers for a long time or in excess of the correct dose may have medication-related liver damage. It is best to stop taking the drug, if it is not a prescription medication, and see a doctor as soon as possible. The gallbladder holds bile and is located on the upper right side of the stomach, next to the liver. During digestion, the gallbladder releases bile into the intestines through the bile duct.
Gallbladder diseases can change the color of stool. Gallstones , one of the most common gallbladder diseases, can block the bile duct, causing intense pain, nausea, vomiting, and pale stool. Without treatment, gallstones can cause problems with other organs, such as the pancreas and liver. Treatments for gallbladder problems depend on the cause. A doctor may have to remove gallstones, either surgically or with medication to dissolve them.
A person can live a normal life without their gallbladder, and so a doctor may remove the gallbladder in the case of recurrent gallstones. Problems with the liver or bile ducts can turn the stool pale. There are many types of liver disease , including:. Treatment for liver disease depends on the specific condition and how far it has progressed.
For mild liver disease, a person may only need medication and to make lifestyle changes. Those with severe liver disease may need a liver transplant.
When problems with another organ, such as the gallbladder, cause problems with the liver, a doctor must treat that condition as well. Diseases of the pancreas can make it hard for this organ to secrete pancreatic juices into the digestive system.
This can lead to the food moving too quickly through the gut, causing a pale and fatty-looking stool. Some conditions can cause pancreatitis , which is swelling and inflammation of the pancreas. These include:. Treatment for pancreatitis depends on the cause. Some people need hospitalization, fluids, or antibiotics.
Surgery may treat some forms of pancreatitis. When another condition causes pancreatitis, such as gallstones, a doctor must also address that issue. White or clay-like stool is caused by a lack of bile, which may indicate a serious underlying problem. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
Stool gets its normal brownish color from bile, which is excreted into the small intestine during the digestive process. If the liver doesn't produce bile or if bile is obstructed from leaving the liver, stool will be light colored or white.
Often the problem occurs in the tube duct that delivers the bile to the small intestine. This tube can be squeezed shut or blocked — for example, by a tumor or a gallstone — which prevents the bile from entering the small intestine. You may also experience abdominal pain, fever, nausea, itching and jaundice yellowing of the skin and eyes. Some babies are born with constricted bile ducts, a condition known as biliary atresia.
Liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, also can sometimes cause white stool. Barium, a white substance used for X-rays of the digestive tract and certain medications that contain aluminum hydroxide, for example antacids, can also turn the stool white.
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Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. A little mucus is commonly found in stools, but if you see more mucus than normal, you may need to consult your doctor.
Here's why. At-home microbiome testing kits can be a first step. We look at these and give our recommendations for your overall gut health questions. Cholangitis is inflammation swelling in the bile duct. Treatment depends on your symptoms and whether you have chronic or acute cholangitis. Gastroparesis is a condition in which your stomach empties into your small intestine too slowly.
Learn about the best diet for gastroparesis and what…. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and causes abdominal tenderness and pain. Learn more. What does a gastroenterologist do, and when should you see one? Here's what you should know before making an appointment. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. Blocked bile duct Liver disease Takeaway Yes — see a doctor.
Blocked bile duct. Liver disease. The takeaway.
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