Can eating carotene-rich foods cause orange-colored stools?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 18, female,160 centimeters in height. I have experienced semi-runny diarrhea that has an orange or brown pigmentation. It is not bloody, nor contains mucus. I passed this when I woke up at three in the morning because of something, and before going to sleep, I had experienced some stomach aches, but ignored them and slept through. During breakfast, I had eaten a yellowish curry type of food. I had a couple of snacks midday, which contained an extremely red pigmentation and also a bag of puffs, which contained an orange pigmentation. I then had brown rice for dinner before the stomach aches began. I also drank a drink made from a mixture of water and a red syrup a few times during the day, though not in large amounts.

The only medication I am taking now is Amoxicillin (bad sore throat, recommended by a doctor), and I also have slight acid reflux, so the intensity of the snacks may not have worked well. What is the cause of my extremely orange diarrhea? It is like a copper-orange and brown color.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You may not need to worry about orange colored stool. It could be due to food intake that contains carotene. I suggest you take Rabeprazole 20 mg OD (once daily) for a week. The associated gastritis can be responsible for stomach pain. If after 3 to 4 days, stomach pain and loose stool continue, then investigate with stool routine micro-examination and occult blood test for further workup. Drink more water to maintain hydration. Vital Z with water should also be taken to maintain electrolyte balance.

Thank you.