Which yellow bowel movements require treatment? | Yellow bowel movement

Which yellow bowel movements require treatment?

Yellow bowel movements are in need of treatment especially if they occur due to dangerous or chronic diseases. For example, liver and bile diseases that cause yellow stool usually need to be treated. Biliary diseases result not only in a yellowish coloration, but also in a change in bowel movement towards fatty stools.

Liver diseases often manifest themselves additionally by a yellow coloration of the skin and the sclera (the whiteness of the eyes). Gastrointestinal diseases are also occasionally in need of treatment, especially when there is a large loss of fluid. In this case, strong and particularly fluid yellow stools are usually produced. If the yellow stool is present due to chronic inflammatory bowel disease, therapy is also indicated. Many tumors (both benign and malignant) must also be treated.

Yellow bowel movement in the baby

Yellow bowel movements are often normal in babies and are usually due to feeding with breast milk. Especially children who are exclusively breastfed often have very yellowish bowel movements. In addition, in contrast to the bowel movements of adults, the stool is mushy to liquid. However, yellowish stools can also indicate serious diseases of the liver, gall bladder and digestive system in babies. In particular, changes in the color and consistency of the bowel movements are suspect of disease.

Yellow bowel movement in the child

In children, in contrast to adults, the color and consistency of the bowel movements are often still changing, regardless of whether a disease is present or not. Especially changes in nutrition can be reflected in children’s bowel movements. In addition, children tend to somatize (react with physical discomfort) when under psychological stress, which is reflected above all in the gastrointestinal tract. This can also cause a change in color towards a yellow bowel movement.

Duration vs. prognosis of yellow bowel movements

The duration and prognosis of yellow bowel movements are strongly dependent on the underlying cause. Thus, gastrointestinal infections usually subside after a few days to weeks. Likewise, the symptoms that occur as side effects of medication disappear some time after the end of the intake.

Even diet-dependent yellow bowel movements usually only last a few days. On the other hand, the prognosis for more serious diseases such as liver, bile, pancreas and digestive tract is less positive. Often these are chronic diseases that require treatment over a long period of time (months to years) or even for life.