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I AM A FIFTY YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO HAS HAD GREEN STOOLS FOR ...

Sent to Health Experts July 25 2006 at 10:05 AM
   

I AM A FIFTY YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO HAS HAD GREEN STOOLS FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS AND DID NOT EAT ANYTHING GREEN.WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS. I HAVE NO PAIN.

 

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Female , Age: 50

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 25 2006 at 1:27 PM (3 hours and 22 minutes and 32 seconds later)
         
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Dear Customer (name blocked for privacy)-

There are a few possible explinations for green stools.

As you suspect, eating green foods can cause stools to appear green - this can be from green colored vegetables, or from foods that have been artificially colored with a green dye.

If you don't think you've eaten anything green, then it is possible you are experiencing green stools by having ingested a larger than average quantity of iron (either from a vitamin or supplement, or from a food that is rich in iron).

Green stools can also be an indication that the stool is moving through your body faster than normal - so that the green colored bile that is normally secreted isn't having time to be broken down by the bacteria in your large intestine.

Because you have no pain, you should be ok. However, if you contine to have green stools, or a change in your bowel movements (e.g., become constipated), you should make an appointment to see your doctor.

Sincerely,
Emily



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