Why is poop brown

Only rarely does the color of stool suggest a serious health problem. Normal stool normally smells unpleasant, the result of bacteria in the colon breaking down digested food. Stool may smell different due to changes in diet. Spicier foods and meat tend to produce stronger smells than vegetables.

Stool frequency is regulated by the amount of fiber and fluid you consume, with exercise and staying active playing a role. There is a lot of natural, healthy variance, from three bowel movements a day to three per week.

Going longer than three days between movements is cause for concern. After three days, stool becomes harder and more difficult to pass, leading to more serious issues. At-home microbiome testing kits can be a first step.

We look at these and give our recommendations for your overall gut health questions. Cholangitis is inflammation swelling in the bile duct. Treatment depends on your symptoms and whether you have chronic or acute cholangitis. Gastroparesis is a condition in which your stomach empties into your small intestine too slowly. Learn about the best diet for gastroparesis and what…. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and causes abdominal tenderness and pain.

Learn more. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Why brown? Other colors Why smelly? What makes poop brown? What can cause poop to be other colors besides brown? What makes poop smelly? When to see a doctor. The bottom line. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Jejunum Overview. What's Possible from Microbiome Testing at Home? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.

It 'escapes' from the gut into the bloodstream, but is picked up by the kidneys and ends up in your bladder. This time, it leaves your body via your urethra, and again it enters the toilet bowl — giving your urine that familiar yellow colour. It seems strange to have so many complicated steps in making your poo brown — something seeming so simple on the faeces of it.

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