Do you have orange stools?

TL;DR: Orange stools can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, medication, or underlying health conditions. While often harmless, persistent orange stools should prompt a consultation with a healthcare provider to rule out serious issues.

Overview

If you do have orange stools, it’s natural to wonder what this unusual color might mean for your health. Orange stool discoloration is a symptom that can be triggered by several causes, ranging from what you eat to how your digestive system is functioning. Understanding why stools turn orange can help you decide when this change is simply a temporary anomaly or a signal to seek medical advice.

Key Causes

Here we explore the most common reasons you might have orange stools.

Dietary Influences

One of the leading and most benign causes of orange stools is what you eat. Foods rich in beta-carotene (like carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins) contain pigments that can alter stool color. Artificial food colorings found in candies, drinks, or processed foods might also temporarily tint your stools orange.

Digestive Transit Time Changes

When stool moves too quickly through the intestines—such as with diarrhea—the bile pigments that normally give stool its brown color don’t have enough time to break down fully. This can result in orange or yellowish stools.

Medication and Supplements

Certain medications, including antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, or supplements such as beta-carotene and some antibiotics, can cause changes in stool coloration. If you recently started a new medication and notice orange stools, it might be related.

Liver and Gallbladder Conditions

Problems with bile production or flow, such as bile duct obstruction, gallstones, or liver disease, can affect stool color. Bile is normally a greenish fluid that becomes brown when digested; disruptions here can cause orange or pale stools. If you have orange stools accompanied by other symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, or dark urine, seek medical advice promptly.

Pancreatic Issues

The pancreas plays a role in producing digestive enzymes. Conditions like pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer can influence digestion and impact stool color, potentially causing orange stools among other signs.

When to Seek Help

While orange stools are often harmless and temporary, there are important warning signs to watch for:

  • Persistent stool discoloration lasting more than a few days.
  • Accompanying symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, or fatigue.
  • Signs of jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes).
  • Blood in stool or black, tarry stools.
  • Changes in bowel habits lasting over two weeks.

If you do have orange stools along with these symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to undergo appropriate evaluation and testing.

Try It Yourself

Curious about what your stool color might say about your health? Try our free poo colour decoder! Learn how different shades can provide clues about your digestive well-being and when to seek help.

Taking notice of your stool color is a simple but valuable step in monitoring your digestive health. If you do have orange stools, understanding the cause can empower you to make informed decisions about your wellbeing.