Abnormal faeces refer to stool that deviates from the usual characteristics in terms of color, odor, consistency, or content. Such irregularities may indicate a disorder affecting the digestive system or a related organ, such as the liver. However, more commonly, changes in the character of faeces are the outcome of alterations in one’s diet.
Diarrhoea, characterized by frequent passage of liquid or very loose faeces, can be caused by various factors. It may be a consequence of anxiety, but it can also result from an intestinal infection, an intestinal disorder (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), or irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, loose stools could indicate malabsorption, which refers to the impaired absorption of nutrients by the small intestine.
Constipation, characterized by infrequent passage of very hard faeces, is usually considered harmless. However, when constipation develops unexpectedly, it may be a result of a disorder affecting the large intestine, such as cancer.
Pale faeces can be attributed to several factors. It may occur due to diarrhoea, insufficient bile in the intestine resulting from a bile duct obstruction, or a condition leading to malabsorption, such as coeliac disease. In cases of malabsorption, the faeces appear pale due to the elevated fat content. Such faeces may exhibit an oily texture, emit a foul smell, and prove difficult to flush away.
Dark faeces can be a consequence of consuming iron tablets. However, if the faeces appear black, it could indicate bleeding in the upper digestive tract.
Faeces containing an excessive amount of mucus can be linked to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, enteritis, dysentery, or an intestinal tumor may also cause the passage of excessive mucus, often accompanied by blood.
The appearance of blood in the faeces varies depending on the location of the bleeding. If the bleeding originates from the stomach or duodenum, it is typically passed in the form of black, tarry faeces. When the bleeding occurs in the colon, the blood is red and is usually passed alongside the faeces. On the other hand, bleeding from the rectum or anus, which can be caused by tumors or hemorrhoids (piles), is usually bright red. However, in some cases, this type of bleeding may not be visible to the naked eye.