Variations in stool color can often raise concerns. While typical stool color ranges through shades of brown, observing red-orange hues can be alarming. However, such changes are frequently due to benign reasons, often linked to dietary intake or certain medications. This article explores factors that can lead to red-orange stool, providing clarity on what these variations might signify.
Common Dietary Influences
The color of your stool is significantly influenced by what you consume. Many foods contain pigments not fully broken down or absorbed during digestion, altering stool coloration. Orange stool often results from consuming foods rich in beta-carotene, a natural pigment found in various fruits and vegetables. These include carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and certain orange-colored processed foods or drinks. Large quantities of beta-carotene can impart an orange tint to stool.
Similarly, red-pigmented foods can lead to reddish stool. Beets, with their deep red pigments, can color stool red or maroon. Red food colorings in candies, drinks, processed foods, gelatin, or licorice can also contribute. Cranberries, tomatoes, and red peppers are additional examples. The color change from these dietary sources is typically temporary, resolving once the food clears the digestive system.
Medications and Supplements
Certain medications and dietary supplements can also cause stool to appear red or orange. Iron supplements, for instance, are commonly known to change stool color. While they typically cause stool to become dark green or black due to unabsorbed iron, a reddish-brown or reddish-orange tinge can sometimes occur. It is generally considered a harmless side effect, indicating the iron is passing through the system.
Some specific medications, like the antibiotic rifampin, are known for turning bodily fluids, including urine, sweat, and sometimes stool, an orange-red color. Additionally, some medications, particularly liquid or chewable forms, contain artificial dyes that can pass through the digestive system and color the stool.
Potential Health Conditions
While often benign, red or orange stool can sometimes signal underlying health conditions. Bright red blood in stool, known as hematochezia, typically indicates bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as the colon, rectum, or anus. Common causes include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticulosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), polyps, or colorectal cancer. The bright red color suggests the blood is fresh and has not been significantly altered by digestive enzymes.
Bleeding higher in the colon can appear as dark red or maroon stool, particularly if transit time is fast. Conditions affecting bile production or absorption can also lead to changes in stool color. Bile, produced by the liver, gives stool its characteristic brown color. If there are problems with bile flow, such as from gallstones or liver conditions, stool might appear pale, clay-colored, or sometimes have an orange tint. Rapid transit time, as seen with diarrhea, can also result in orange or reddish stool because food and bile move too quickly for complete breakdown.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If red-orange stool persists for more than a few days, or does not resolve after eliminating suspected dietary or medication causes, consult a healthcare professional. This is especially true if the color change occurs without a clear dietary or medicinal explanation.
Seek medical attention if red-orange stool is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. These include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, unexplained weight loss, fever, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Any bright red blood in or on the stool, or black and tarry stools indicating bleeding higher in the digestive tract, warrants prompt medical evaluation. A healthcare provider can assess your symptoms, inquire about your diet and medications, and determine if further tests are necessary.