Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Muscle Aches And Diarrhea While Recovering From Flu
Question: Had the flu for a couple of days, lots of muscle aches and diaherria, Diaherriaas changed to a bright green. Anything to worry about?
.
.
Brief Answer:
Green stool not concerning
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Green stool is not uncommon with diarrhea. What is happening is that the transit time for stool moving through the digestive system is so fast that bile that normally enters the small intestine and is broken down doesn't have time to be broken down.
Bile is a greenish color, so that is what is coloring your stools green.
If you are having muscle aches, you may be losing too much potassium and other electrolytes, along with water. Consider adding coconut water (NOT coconut milk) to your rehydration regimen as it has a good balance of electrolytes. You can get it at a grocery such as Whole Foods Market, or other places. Bananas, in moderation, can help with both the potassium loss and can be helpful with diarrhea.
If the diarrhea doesn't start to settle down, or the muscle aching become quite bad, or you are feeling light headed or weak, please go in to an urgent care or ER where they can check your electrolytes and possibly give you IV fluids. I have seen just giving a person an IV and something to calm the digestive system can help symptoms resolve quickly.
So in answer to your question: green stool during and after periods of diarrhea are not concerning.
Green stool not concerning
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Green stool is not uncommon with diarrhea. What is happening is that the transit time for stool moving through the digestive system is so fast that bile that normally enters the small intestine and is broken down doesn't have time to be broken down.
Bile is a greenish color, so that is what is coloring your stools green.
If you are having muscle aches, you may be losing too much potassium and other electrolytes, along with water. Consider adding coconut water (NOT coconut milk) to your rehydration regimen as it has a good balance of electrolytes. You can get it at a grocery such as Whole Foods Market, or other places. Bananas, in moderation, can help with both the potassium loss and can be helpful with diarrhea.
If the diarrhea doesn't start to settle down, or the muscle aching become quite bad, or you are feeling light headed or weak, please go in to an urgent care or ER where they can check your electrolytes and possibly give you IV fluids. I have seen just giving a person an IV and something to calm the digestive system can help symptoms resolve quickly.
So in answer to your question: green stool during and after periods of diarrhea are not concerning.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
