A large number of different things can cause white specks in the stool. Some are more major than others. The specks might be smidgens of undigested food or caused by certain medications.
Our stool can tell us a lot about our total health. It’s recommended to pay attention to any changes in your bowel habits, including white specks you haven’t discovered before. These white specks can notify us to internal infections and other conditions we might not have known about until the condition was a lot more advanced.
Associated Symptoms
Different symptoms might accompany white specks in the stool, depending upon the cause. White specks themselves might range from a couple of small specks to larger ones. Take note of both the shapes and size of the white specks.
Extra symptoms that sometimes accompany white specks in the stool consist of:
- weight-loss
- diarrhea
- uncommonly foul-smelling defecation
- bloating
- visible mucus
- abdominal pain
White specks in the stool will be various from stools that are completely white or total very pale. Entirely white or pale stools indicate other health conditions, like problems within the biliary system, that includes the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
If you experience any of the following, look for emergency medical attention:
- extreme stomach pain
- consistent diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours
- rectal bleeding
- jaundice
What Causes White Specks in Stool?
There are some various causes of white specks in the stool, all of which vary in intensity.
Undigested food
A common source of white specks in the stool is undigested food. Often foods that are hard to digest– like quinoa, nuts, seeds, high-fiber vegetables, and corn– can move through the digestive tract without fully digesting. This can cause small white flecks in the stool.
This is most likely to be the case if you aren’t experiencing any other symptoms such as diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Malabsorption
Malabsorption, which might come as an outcome of undigested food in particular people, can likewise trigger white specks in the stool. Severe malabsorption might cause stools to become bulkier and paler throughout due to higher fat content. It might be caused by:
- liver disease
- pancreatic insufficiency
- digestive inflammation
Other symptoms of malabsorption may include:
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- weight-loss
- fatigue
Celiac disease
Celiac disease — an autoimmune disease characterized by an irregular immune action to the protein gluten– can cause severe inflammation in the digestive system that minimizes the intestines’ ability to absorb nutrients correctly. This can cause substantial nutrient malabsorption. Symptoms may consist of:
- diarrhea
- weight reduction
- bloating
- fatigue
- abdominal pain
Medications
Particular medications can result in white flecks in the stool, specifically those that can be found in capsule form. Some people are not able to properly absorb certain capsule medications. In this case, you might see small white balls in the stool.
Let your medical professional understand. They can choose if they need to change your medication. You ought to also tell your physician if you experience symptoms like fever, queasiness, or stomach pain.
Parasites
It is possible for different types of parasites to cause white flecks in the stool. Tapeworm sectors will appear as big, white, flat spots on the stool. They’ll typically have to do with the size of a postage stamp. Symptoms might consist of:
- queasiness
- weak point
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- weight-loss
- tiredness
Pinworms are white in color and lay eggs near the rectum. They’re very little, however, can also be seen on the stool. Symptoms consist of intense itching, rash, and discomfort in the anal area. In serious problems, the person may also experience abdominal pain.
Fungal infections
Fungal infections like Candida yeast infections could also cause small clumps of white matter discovered on the stool. You’re more likely to experience this if you’ve had a chronic issue with Candida infections, or are experiencing a health problem or treatment that compromises the body immune system, such as AIDS or chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
When you tell your doctor about the white specks in your stool, they’ll ask you about other symptoms that you might be experiencing, such as irregularity, diarrhea, stomach pain, or tiredness. They may likewise purchase a series of tests depending on what they presume the cause to be.
A stool test will almost certainly be included. For this test, you’ll bring a sample of stool into the lab so a service technician can examine it for blood, fungus, parasites, and other problems.
Other tests the physician might order include:
- Complete blood count (CBC) panel. A phlebotomist will draw blood from your arm and test it to ensure that all your blood counts look good. This test can help identify anemia. It can also suggest a possible infection.
- Blood test and upper endoscopy. These tests will check for celiac disease. A biopsy from the little intestinal tract is required to confirm a celiac medical diagnosis.
- Ultrasound or CT scan. These imaging tests can assess the health of your gallbladder and liver by providing pictures of them.
Treating the Issue
Treatment will depend entirely on the underlying cause of the white specks in the stool.
Undigested food can be treated with a little change in diet. You ought to see changes in many days.
The underlying cause of malabsorption will require to be dealt with before it can be resolved. For celiac disease, this includes changing to a gluten-free diet. Even one “cheat meal” can trigger severe inflammation in the intestinal tracts.
If problems with the liver, pancreas, or gallbladder are included, treatment will fix around enhancing their function.
If medications are triggering the white specks to form, your medical professional might have the ability to switch you to various medication, or a different kind of the same medication. For example, rather of taking an oral supplement, they may have the ability to provide you the very same dose in
Liquid kind, an injectable, or a sublingual medication. Sublingual medications liquify under the tongue.
Parasites can be treated with an oral medication designed to clear them entirely from your system. You’ll also require to clean up the whole home. To eliminate parasites from your home:
- Usage of hot water to wash all bedding, towels, and clothes. Dry them on high heat in the dryer.
- Clean all surface areas in your house, particularly toilet seats.
- Practice consistent, comprehensive handwashing.
Outcomes
White specks in the stool are always a symptom of something else, even if that something else is harmless.
The most severe issues that can occur consist of:
- Symptoms from parasites. Symptoms include severe stomach pain, fatigue, and nutrient deficiencies.
- A buildup of bile. This is suggestive of underlying liver disease. Worsening liver disease can advance to cirrhosis, which can have severe problems.
- Symptoms of celiac disease and malabsorption. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and severe nutrient shortages.
- Infections. If left neglected, fungal infections can spread and impact the blood, brain, heart, eyes, and other essential organ systems in the body. This can be very dangerous.
White Specks in Stool Prevention
There are some methods to avoid white specks in the stool:
- Consume a healthy, well-balanced diet. This will help you get a selection of nutrients and hopefully prevent undigested food as much as possible.
- Change to non-capsule medications. They might be easier to absorb for you.
- Practice good hygiene. This includes frequent handwashing and keeping nails short to ward off parasites.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol use can damage the biliary system.
- Stay with a gluten-free diet if you have celiac disease.
- Consume a low-sugar diet if you know you’re prone to Candida. Treat any external infections instantly.
Prognosis
Typically, white specks in the stool aren’t caused for the issue. They’re most commonly brought on by undigested food, which can be fixed in numerous days with a change in diet.
Make sure you see your physician for any stool changes– even if they seem small – so that you can make sure you and your digestion tract are fully healthy. If required, your doctor will assist you to find the treatment that’s right for you.
