In a healthy bowel movement, you pass stool with a soft texture which passes easily. The color of a healthy stool belongs to the family of brown or greenish color. If you are wondering why is my poop orange or any other color then the reason for stool color change may be a health issue or changes in diet.
Sometimes the question of why is my poop orange is nothing to worry about as it may be due to some medication or food substances. However, most of the time you should be alert when you notice a different stool color. Different stool colors can be an early sign of rising health problems.
Why does poop color changes?
Depending on the general health the stool comes in a variety of colors. The stool color may vary from person to person. Even an individual does not have the same color stool throughout his life.
Stool color depends on the digestive system’s functioning. When the food passes through the digestive tract the color changes from green to yellow-orange and finally due to bacteria and bile present in the stool the color becomes brown.
Depending on your diet and any supplements you are taking the poop color can change. So, if you notice a sudden change in your poop color, it is not necessarily a matter of concern.
Why is my poop orange
The following are the main causes of orange poop
- Orange poop due to food
Usually, a person who is consuming orange food passes the orange tool. The constituent that gives orange color to food is specifically beta-carotene. The carotenoid compound may be orange, red, or yellow in color. It is present in different fruits, vegetables, oils, and grains.
The foods that are rich in beta carotene include sweet potatoes, carrots, and oranges.
Beta carotene is a provitamin that converts into its active form vitamin A. Many food supplements also consist of beta carotene so when you consume such supplements you may experience orange stool. Food dyes that are used in popsicles, orange sodas, or juices can also change your stool color to orange.
- Orange poop because of medications
Medications consisting of an aluminum hydroxide such as an antacid can turn your stool color orange. Antibiotics such as rifampin also cause slight changes in stool color.
- Orange poop because of digestive problems
Whether there are major or minor digestive issues, you should take proper treatment. When bile interacts with the enzyme in your stool it changes the stool color to brown. If your stool enzyme does not absorb enough bile your stool color becomes light grey. In terms of your bile duct being locked, it can lead to loose orange diarrhoea like stool.
How to treat orange stool
If the color of your stool is changing due to a beta carotene rich diet. You will not pass orange stool for a long time period. The stool color will become normal on its own. Further make considerable changes in your food choices.
However, if you have digestive issues due to which the poop color is orange consult a physician as soon as possible. You can also change the food supplements or medication that are responsible for causing orange poop.
Different poop colors
Apart from orange, the following are some of the stool colors which you should be concerned about
- Green
If you are consuming a green leafy vegetable diet you may experience green poop. Other than that adding excessive food color or cold and diarrhea is another reason for green stool.
- Red
Red color poop should never be avoided as it is the most alarming sign of health issues. If you notice blood smears or red color poop it may be a sign of anal tears or hemorrhoids. Bright red color poop may be due to internal bleeding.
- Cream or light color
Light color or cream color stool is a sign of bile duct, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas issues.
- Black
Black color stool may be due to excess Iron intake or it is caused by internal bleeding of the stomach or esophagus. Ulcers can also cause black stool.
Went to see a doctor
It is not always necessary that you are suffering from a major disease due to which your poop color turns orange. Most probably in recent days, you might have consumed food that contains a high amount of beta-carotene, you may be taking supplements, or you may be on medication. In any scenario, within a few days, the pool color will get back to normal.
However, even after waiting for several days if the poop color is still orange, you should seek a doctor’s help. There is a possibility that you might be suffering from a medical condition. Immediately go to the hospital if you experience additional symptoms like fever chills bloody stool or abdominal pain.
Bottom line
Don’t overthink why my poop is orange because mostly it is due to medication, supplements, or diet cs. First, start making dietary changes. If it doesn’t work, consult a doctor.
