Green stool

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.

Does anyone know what would cause a stool to be green and 'fuzzy' looking, kind of like algae? The patient hasn't started any new meds, has no s/s of any GI disorder, not taking iron supplements. She said it just started and I had no answers as to why this would be.

Any ideas?

:confused:

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Specializes in Orthosurgery, Rehab, Homecare.

Too much spinach/kale/collards?

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Specializes in HH, Med/surg- liver & kidney transplant, ortho, ++.

I am a medical assistant and work in pediatrics. I am not quite a nurse, but I will be starting my journey in September.

Not sure if this pertains to adults but we always have lots of questions regarding stool from new parents. I have learned and always tell parents when they call about the color of the infants stool that they shouldn't be worried of the color unless it is red, black, or white.

Again, I am not a nurse but just giving some input. Like the previous poster, what did the patient eat?

I was in a really bad car accident when I was 16. I had a tear in my colon and had to have a colostomy (temporarily, it was reversed a few months later). I had eaten a bunch of red licorice, when I looked down at my bag and saw how red it was I freaked out and called the nurse into my room. I thought I was dieing. Turns out, it was from the licorice. Me and the nurses, and people I tell to this day sit back and laugh about it. :yeah:

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Does anyone know what would cause a stool to be green

It comes from eating green eggs and ham.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
Turd.Ferguson said:
It comes from eating green eggs and ham.

:bowingpur:hhmth:

did she eat birthday cake with green frosting for the petals?, it happened to me once in high school; so strange I had to show my friend:lol2:

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Specializes in Neuroscience, ED.

Well, acually that happens if you eat a lot of lettuce and the like, or sushi with the seaweed. I would first ask about diet.

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so strange I had to show my friend

You showed your turd to your friend?

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!

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Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.

Nope... no kale, collards, lettuce (minimal), no green food coloring products. That's why I'm stumped!

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Specializes in Med-surg; OB/Well baby; pulmonology; RTS.

Sometimes something with purple dye will cause your stool to turn green. My preschooler has been wanting Kool Aid lately (grape) and my hubby freaked out one day when her stool was green.

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did a quick Google search here are a few causes of green stool:

Salmonella - can cause greenish stool (usually diarrhea)

Giardia - can cause greenish stool (usually diarrhea)

Wwallowed postnasal drip - ie. from an upper respiratory disorder

Intestinal disorder

Gastronenteritis

Certain foods

Antibiotic use

Laxative use

Medication side effects

Celiac disease

Ulcerative colitis

Crohn's disease

Malabsorption

Irritable bowel syndrome

Traveler's diarrhea

Cancer

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Specializes in 27 yrs in long term care, 5 yrs office.

Even though she may not be having GI problems, if the green stool continues I'd definately see a Gastroenterologist. Couldn't hurt to do some stool studies.

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Froot Loops, Lucky Charms and a handful of others...this happens to me...

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