Having clay-colored or light-colored stool just once, or every now and then, isn’t usually a concern.
This article explains what’s normal and abnormal with regard to stool color.
It contains a pigmented compound calledbilirubinthat causes your stools to turn brown.
Verywell / Zoe Hansen
The medical term for this isacholia.
There are several reasons why bile levels are decreased.
They can be broadly categorized as being either liver-related or gallbladder-related.
Liver-Related Causes
Any dysfunction of the liver can affect bile production.
Acholia can affect children and even newborns.
Likewise, you may need to change your diet if a healthcare provider believes malabsorption is a contributing factor.
If the liver is involved, you may be advised to avoid drinking alcohol.
Hepatitis may require antivirals, while aliver transplantis the only way to resolve cirrhosis.
Your healthcare provider may run some tests to see what’s causing clay-colored stools.
Treatment depends on the cause and ranges from dietary changes to surgery.
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