9. You have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
Though these inflammatory bowel diseases have various differences, they can both make you more prone to diarrhoea that might look green.
Crohn’s disease causes irritation in your digestive system, usually in your small intestine and the beginning of your large intestine, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Diarrhea is a major symptom, and it can be green because of undigested bile, Dr. Shen says. If you have Crohn’s, you might also experience other symptoms like stomach pain, fatigue, fever, weight loss, bloody poo, reduced appetite, and malnutrition, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Ulcerative colitis happens when you have inflammation and sores in your digestive tract, usually in your large intestine and rectum, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition to diarrhoea, you might experience abdominal cramping, rectal pain, a sensation of really needing to poop, bleeding when you do actually poo, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and other unpleasant symptoms.
Doctors aren’t exactly sure of what causes inflammatory bowel diseases, although it is thought to have an autoimmune component, per the CDC. And, unfortunately, treating these conditions may require some trial and error. If you’re dealing with persistent poo problems, stomach pain, and anything else that seems concerning, see your doctor to see whether you have an inflammatory bowel disease.
10. You’re dealing with a food sensitivity
Food sensitivities, which range from intolerances (triggering a digestive system reaction, such as lactose intolerance) to full-blown allergies (triggering an immune system reaction, such as Celiac disease), can cause some pretty intense symptoms, including diarrhoea, if you’re exposed to the food that triggers a response in your body. Just like having any other health condition that causes diarrhoea, these reactions to food can cause green poo because of undigested bile, Dr. Farhadi says.
11. Your diarrhoea has led to an anal fissure
An anal fissure is as intense as it sounds: It’s a small tear in the thin, moist tissue that lines your anus, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can happen due to constipation, passing hard or oversized poo, chronic diarrhoea, anal sex, or giving birth.
Anal fissures themselves don’t cause green poo – if anything, you may notice a bit of red due to bleeding from the tear. But if you have an anal fissure due to chronic diarrhoea, you might notice some green poo in the mix. Thankfully, eating more fibre (so your stool is easier to pass) or taking a bath to calm inflammation is often enough to help you feel better with time.
12. You recently had your gallbladder removed
Now, for the last stop on the bile train: Removal of your gallbladder, which stores bile, can result in green poo. This pear-shaped organ might need to be removed if you have gallstones, which are hard deposits of material that can block the flow of bile and cause a world of hurt. Also known as a cholecystectomy, this is one of the most common surgeries in the United States, per the NIDDK.