Green diarrhea - Causes of green diarrhea movements & causes colored stools?

Green diarrhea movements are common and there are several different causes. These colored stools are not normally a symptom of ibs or the irritable bowel syndrome . Green bowel movements normally indicate an infection, but it can also be a symptom of small bowel disease or fat malabsorption. If these green in color bowel movements don't settle then they will require further investigation.

A list of causes of green in color bowel movements include:

Infection

Viral gastroenteritis, bacterial gastroenteritis

Small bowel diseases

Celiac (coeliac) disease

Inflammatory bowel disease

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

Enzyme deficiencies

Pancreatic

Chronic pancreatitis

Idiopathic pancreatic insufficiency

Drugs

Various investigations can be undertaken green bowel movements including blood tests, stool culture, stool examination for fat, fecal (faecal) elastase testing, glucose-hydrogen breath testing, endoscopy and small bowel biospsy, small bowel meal and follow through, enteroscopy and capsular endoscopy.

Treatment of green in color bowel movements depends on the underlying cause. If infective, it usually settles throught the bodies own immune protection. However, bacterial causes sometimes require antibiotic treatment and this will need to be discussed with your doctor. Treatment of other green bowel movement causes, as outlined, will need to be guided by your doctor.

Treatment of green in color bowel movements depends on the underlying cause. If infective, it usually settles throught the bodies own immune protection. However, bacterial causes sometimes require antibiotic treatment and this will need to be discussed with your doctor. Treatment of other green bowel movement causes, as outlined, will need to be guided by your doctor. To return to the ibs-help-online homepage click here