Green diarrhea: causes, types and treatment methods in adults

Loose stools are always considered a sign of an intestinal or stomach disorder. The degree of complexity of the situation may vary depending on what exactly triggered the disorder. And adults are not used to being too attentive to their bowel movements, although regardless of age, they are the first and most important alarm signal.

Liquid green stool in an adult is no less dangerous than in a child. And if an adult’s loose stool has acquired a greenish tint, then immediate treatment measures must be taken. Green diarrhea can indicate the development of quite severe pathologies in the body, and lead to serious complications if proper treatment is not provided. Therefore, it is better to look into the toilet without hesitation after defecation in order to promptly determine the presence of the disease and consult a doctor.

Types of diarrhea

Depending on the formation factor, green diarrhea is divided into several types:

1. Infectious – occurs due to the penetration of rotavirus into the human body or existing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Mucus and bloody clots predominate in the stool.
2. Nutritional – appears due to an allergic reaction, i.e. nutritional problems. A characteristic feature of this diarrhea is a strong watery consistency and a foul odor.
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3. Medicinal – caused by dysbacteriosis, formed as a result of the use of antibiotics, green-yellow color of the stool is noticed.
4. Toxic – green diarrhea occurs due to poisoning with toxic substances (metals). Accompanying symptoms of this condition are fever and a metallic taste in the mouth.
5. Neurogenic – is a consequence of a disorder in the functioning of the nervous system. Diarrhea appears under the influence of negative emotionality.

In most cases, the diagnosis can be determined by the type of bowel movement. The doctor will prescribe treatment only after establishing the cause of this symptom.

Diagnosis of the disease

You can diagnose which disease caused diarrhea using three components:

1. Examination by a doctor, including palpation of internal organs
2. Blood tests (general and biochemical) and stool (general, microflora, worm eggs, coprogram)
3. Examination using medical equipment (ultrasound, x-ray, colonoscopy, irrigoscopy).

To fix the problem, you need to find out the reasons for its occurrence. To determine the diagnosis, the specialist conducts an anamnesis of the deviations that have arisen, clarifies the signs and circumstances of the manifestation of symptoms.

In addition, the following examinations are prescribed:

• stool coprogram for diagnosing the digestive tract;
• clinical examinations of stool and urine;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is established and treatment is prescribed.

Causes

The most harmless factor in the appearance of green diarrhea in an adult is the significant use of fruits and vegetables. But this sign can also indicate other diseases.

The causes of loose green stool are as follows:

1. Acute appendicitis – after surgery there may be diarrhea, this is due to remaining inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. After removing appendicitis, antibacterial treatment is carried out, which often causes diarrhea.
2. Salmonellosis, dysentery - bacterial pathologies are associated with a change in the color of the stool, this is caused by the presence of a huge number of leukocytes in the blood.
3. Gastritis – diarrhea often occurs with acute gastritis, which is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a feeling of pain in the stomach. Loose stools are caused by disruptions in nutrition.
4. Intestinal infection - the main development factor is failure to comply with hygiene rules. An adult experiences diarrhea and fever, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, and nausea. E. coli leads to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract - colitis, gastritis.
5. Rotavirus infection - the stool has a foamy consistency. Other signs: vomiting, nausea, fever, increased gas formation, abdominal pain.

6. Ulcerative colitis is a common cause. Crohn's disease causes black stools. If such a sign is present, urgent hospitalization will be required.
7. Food poisoning - when eating low-quality food, poor heat treatment of products, intoxication of the body can occur, which will provoke changes and disturbances in stool.
8. Pancreatitis - the formation of liquid green stool in inflammatory disease of the pancreas - is a very common symptom. In addition to modification of physical characteristics, the stool changes its composition and has a significant number of undigested organic compounds.
9. Viral hepatitis - in very rare cases, green diarrhea may occur.
10. Bleeding is a very dangerous manifestation; hemoglobin penetrates into the intestinal lumen and an oxidative reaction begins, leading to dark green diarrhea with a sharp sour odor.

Long and uncontrolled use of antibiotics destroys healthy intestinal microflora and leads to green diarrhea. Their use must be combined with taking probiotics.

Excessive amounts of certain foods in the diet: carbonated drink with green dye, vegetables, all this leads to changes in feces.

The appearance of a dark green color of liquid feces - how to deal with this condition

If green diarrhea has a rich color, then this is a clear signal of a disturbance in the intestinal microflora. In this case, it can be argued that pathogenic microorganisms inhibit the work of beneficial bacteria, which causes the organ to suffer. This affects the general condition of a person. In fact, this phenomenon is called dysbiosis and occurs as a result of a number of external or internal influences.

Additional symptoms include:

1. Nausea.
2. Flatulence.
3. Bloating.
4. Periodic pain in the abdominal cavity in different parts.

In this case, in no case does the symptom itself stop. A group of procedures is carried out and medications are prescribed aimed at restoring the correct microflora in the intestines. And over time, bowel movements become normal.

First aid

When a person of any age has green, watery stools, there is no need to hesitate. You should immediately consume plenty of fluids. Why is this necessary?

In case of intoxication or infection, dehydration can occur. Therefore, it is important to take in the maximum amount of water to avoid negative consequences.

You need to rinse your stomach, here you will need boiled water, drink so much of it until you feel nauseous. This method is used for any cases in which this symptom is present.

The patient will subsequently need medical attention. The doctor will conduct appropriate tests and prescribe treatment.

If green diarrhea appears, what should you do?

When a person discovers such a symptom, he certainly thinks about treatment. Correction of pathology is necessary. Especially when vomiting occurs, and there is a danger of dehydration. However, recommendations regarding the use of certain medications should only be given by a specialist, that is, a doctor. Self-prescription of the drug can lead to an unexpected reaction of the body and worsening of the condition. That is why, if you have diarrhea that is green or any other color, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Most likely, you will be prescribed some tests (CBC, FAM, stool examination, ultrasound, and so on). Only then will the appropriate treatment be selected. Let's consider several methods for correcting pathology.

Do I need to call an ambulance?

Diarrhea can often be treated at home. But sometimes, a severe symptom requires an ambulance to arrive. This is needed in the following situations:

• when the patient, along with diarrhea, has a high body temperature, intense abdominal pain, if the body is dehydrated and the person cannot cope with it;
• the presence of blood in the stool (bright red or black);
• the person is exhausted, lethargic, sleepy.

It is necessary to seek help when there is severe vomiting and the body does not accept any food. Symptoms do not return to normal within 2-3 days.

When there is cause for concern

Normally, healthy people have bowel movements up to 2 times a day. The color change is associated with the foods in the diet. The stool may be green, yellow, or even black. If the color change is not accompanied by an increase in body temperature, pain and other unpleasant symptoms, there is no cause for alarm.

The following symptoms may be a reason to consult a doctor:

• green diarrhea with mucus or blood;
• increased body temperature;
• nausea and vomiting;
• sharp cramping pain.

The causes of changes in the color of stool, accompanied by such phenomena, are a sign of serious pathological changes within the gastrointestinal tract and require medical intervention.

We recommend watching the video - symptoms of loose stools of different colors.

Features of treatment

When greenish feces are formed due to dysfunction of the intestines or stomach and there is no infection, the person is prescribed a gentle menu and enzymes. Avoid foods that irritate the mucous membranes.

In other situations, complex therapy will be needed. In addition to a therapeutic diet, you will need to take medications (antibacterial drugs, antimicrobial drugs and to restore the microflora).

Drug therapy

Green, watery diarrhea caused by bacterial infection or poisoning is a dangerous problem that needs help. Specialists mainly prescribe tablets to eliminate diarrhea, after taking which the state of health returns to normal.

For green diarrhea, the following medications are used:

1. Antibiotics (Tetracycline, Amoxicillin) – sometimes complex conditions require the use of antibacterial drugs. The therapeutic course is no more than 5-7 days. If improvement occurs already on the second day, you still need to drink them completely. You should not buy these products spontaneously, as they can lead to a worsening of the condition.
2. Sorbents (Polysorb, Atoxil, Enterosgel, Activated carbon) - relieve intoxication, cleanse the body of harmful toxins. The main advantages of these remedies are to stop diarrhea, gas formation, and improve the patient’s well-being.
3. Probiotics (Linex, Enterol, Acipol) - restore the microflora of the intestines and stomach. The same medications are prescribed when green diarrhea is caused by dysbacteriosis. They have a calming effect on the mucous membrane, removing inflammation.
4. Enzymes (Pancreatin, Mezim, Creon) - used to digest food.
5. Antiseptics (Intetrix, Nifuroxazide) - destroy pathogenic microorganisms, but have no effect on viruses at all.

All medications prescribed by a doctor must interact with each other. The specialist will first find out why the symptom occurred and then prescribe the correct medications. It is not advisable to replace funds at your own discretion, since they may not provide the desired result or lead to adverse consequences.

Traditional methods

Traditional recipes, along with drug treatment, can have a positive effect and eliminate diarrhea.

The most common recipes are:

• Rice water, prepared in the form of liquid jelly, has a very light structure; it holds feces together and does not overload the stomach; Starch infusion or berry jelly have a similar effect;
• herbs such as chamomile, sage, mint soften irritated walls and normalize intestinal motility; dill or fennel infusion eliminates bloating and gas formation;
• any baked or boiled vegetables help cope with diarrhea;

• rowan juice has a positive effect; Drink 2 times a day, ¼ cup for 30 minutes. before meals;
• dry rye bread, soak croutons in cold water for 15 minutes. strain, use in small portions throughout the day;
• Strongly brewed black tea has a calming effect, the presence of tannins has an astringent effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
• peppercorns are a quick remedy for simple diarrhea; Take 10 peas with water.

At the time of illness, you need to monitor your diet. It’s good to eat a variety of cereals and drink more fluids. You can't eat fatty, fried foods.

Diet

If a patient experiences loose stools that take on a green tint, then, in addition to drug treatment, doctors prescribe a certain diet.

The patient should avoid any foods that may cause fermentation or increase intestinal motility. This includes white and brown bread, pastries, sweets, carbonated drinks, alcohol, fresh fruits or vegetables, and so on. If you have diseases of the pancreas and spleen, you should avoid fatty foods, smoked foods, fried foods and various spices.

Give preference to non-rich vegetable broths and soups. During an exacerbation of the pathology, it is worth eating rice porridge, jelly-like liquid products, and bananas in small quantities. If dysbacteriosis occurs, it is preferable to consume fermented milk products - kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream and yogurt.

Be sure to drink water. With diarrhea, fluid is rapidly removed from the body. This can lead to dehydration and complications for the circulatory system, heart, brain and kidneys. In case of severe and uncontrollable vomiting, it is worth using intravenous solutions that replenish lost fluid. However, such manipulations must be carried out exclusively within the walls of a hospital.

Prevention

To prevent green diarrhea in an adult, you should follow simple preventive actions:

• lead a healthy and active lifestyle;
• take minerals, vitamins;
• avoid stress and nervous experiences;
• maintain hygiene (carefully wash hands, vegetables, fruits, etc.);
• carry out examinations of internal organs every year in order to promptly detect the presence of the disease;
• eat healthy and balanced;
• walk more in the fresh air;
• do not abuse smoking or alcohol;
• take medications only after being prescribed by a specialist.

To quickly get rid of diarrhea, you should first find out its causes and then treatment will be more favorable. If you ignore the symptom, there is a possibility that the pathology will reach a new stage and hospitalization will be needed.

Restoration of intestinal flora

If green diarrhea is caused by dysbiosis, then the patient is prescribed a course of beneficial bacteria. This may be several drugs, divided into bifido- and lacto-substances, or a complex correction. Such medications include Linex, Baktisubtil, Normoflorin, Acipol and many others. Most often, such formulations are prescribed as a course for one month.

You can also eat homemade yoghurts made with beneficial bacteria.

Traditional methods

Home remedies can only be used if the greenish color of the stool is due to a malnutrition or intestinal disorder. They are used for the first 3–5 days; if during this period the symptoms do not disappear, and the condition worsens with the appearance of vomiting and fever, you should immediately consult a doctor.

To combat diarrhea, patients use oatmeal decoction. It is prepared from 4 tablespoons of oatmeal and 500 ml of water. Boil the cereal and let it brew for an hour. Drink 1 glass per day, dividing the intake into two times - in the morning on an empty stomach, in the evening before bed.

It is allowed to give the patient activated carbon or other sorbents that help remove toxins from the body.

If loose stools appear several times over long periods of time, a disturbance in the intestinal microflora has occurred after eating low-quality food. In this case, you can use traditional methods of treatment:

• raspberry leaf tea;
• decoction of chamomile, bird cherry, raisins, blueberries, rose hips;
• rowan infusion;
• garlic juice (half a teaspoon every two hours);

If diarrhea with greens does not decrease after 1-2 days, it is time to seek medical help. Most likely, you will have to undergo an examination to determine the cause of the disease.

Development mechanism

Normally, human stool is colored by the pigment bilirubin. It is formed in the liver, enters the digestive tract and is oxidized to stercobilin in the rectum. This substance gives feces a brown color.

With accelerated peristalsis, rapid movement of food and changes in the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, bilirubin is not converted. It enters the intestines unchanged and gives the feces a green color.

Another reason for such stool is the massive death of leukocytes. The main function of these cells is protection against foreign bodies: bacteria, viruses, toxins. When there are many pathogens in the body, which is typical for infections and inflammations, phagocytes destroy them and are destroyed. This produces pus, a collection of dead white blood cells that gives feces a green tint.

Sometimes the stool is simply colored. This happens when a person eats large quantities of foods with green plant pigment or food coloring. Why does diarrhea develop? Most often due to the fiber found in the same green vegetables. But a combination with an infection is also possible.