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What Causes Transient Episodes Of Pale Stools?
Question: I keep getting episodes of pale stools. They are light gray/white in colour and last about 24hrs and occur about once a month. After each episode, they return to normal. No other symptoms such as dark urine or jaundice. I had my gallbladder removed 10 yrs ago and am a 63 year old male
Brief Answer:
I would preferably go for a thorough liver evaluation !!!
Detailed Answer:
Warm Welcomes. I appreciate your trust in HCM and assure you are on best portal on the globe for expert online medical services.
I have thoroughly reviewed health query you raised, and well realize all of those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems.
I feel sorry for the health worries you have and glad to assist you. This type of transient episodes of pale stools with absence of other related clinical symptoms, may be diet related. Some diets give colors to the stools accordingly.
Other reasons may be related to the liver and hepatobiliary system integrity itself (the bile system inside liver). For that I preferably suggest you to consult a Gastroenterologist for thorough evaluation and management. He will go for a physical examination and case history and will have to run a battery of tests on you including but not limited to baseline bloodwork; HIDA Scan to see the integrity of hepatobiliary system; HBsAg; antiHCV; Liver Function tests etc.
Management depends upon the result of labs. You need to avoid smoking and heavy alcohol drinking. Take plenty of water and keep more whole grains foods. Vegetables, fruits, salads and seafood like salmon is good for you. Remain physically active.
Hope I addressed all the concerns you have. Let me know if you have further questions. I will be more than happy to clear any doubts. Please give your 'rating' (if agreed, Five Stars) to help me assist patients in a better way; and, please don't forget to click on 'Close The Discussion'.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).
Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
I would preferably go for a thorough liver evaluation !!!
Detailed Answer:
Warm Welcomes. I appreciate your trust in HCM and assure you are on best portal on the globe for expert online medical services.
I have thoroughly reviewed health query you raised, and well realize all of those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems.
I feel sorry for the health worries you have and glad to assist you. This type of transient episodes of pale stools with absence of other related clinical symptoms, may be diet related. Some diets give colors to the stools accordingly.
Other reasons may be related to the liver and hepatobiliary system integrity itself (the bile system inside liver). For that I preferably suggest you to consult a Gastroenterologist for thorough evaluation and management. He will go for a physical examination and case history and will have to run a battery of tests on you including but not limited to baseline bloodwork; HIDA Scan to see the integrity of hepatobiliary system; HBsAg; antiHCV; Liver Function tests etc.
Management depends upon the result of labs. You need to avoid smoking and heavy alcohol drinking. Take plenty of water and keep more whole grains foods. Vegetables, fruits, salads and seafood like salmon is good for you. Remain physically active.
Hope I addressed all the concerns you have. Let me know if you have further questions. I will be more than happy to clear any doubts. Please give your 'rating' (if agreed, Five Stars) to help me assist patients in a better way; and, please don't forget to click on 'Close The Discussion'.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).
Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thanks for your reply
I have high BP which is under control, and as a result of this have yearly blood tests which I had just before XMAS 2015. These are FBC, Liver Function and Kidney function and these came back normal apart from a Kidney eGFR of 59 which the doctor is not concerned about.
My big concern is Pancreatic Cancer, but hopefully normal urine colour, no jaundice and the episodic nature of the episodes reduces the risk of this?
I do not smoke and consume about 20 units of alcohol a week. I'm a bit overweight at just under 14st for 5ft 10in but eat a healthy diet and exercise frequently.
Could my gallbladder removal be a factor?
I have high BP which is under control, and as a result of this have yearly blood tests which I had just before XMAS 2015. These are FBC, Liver Function and Kidney function and these came back normal apart from a Kidney eGFR of 59 which the doctor is not concerned about.
My big concern is Pancreatic Cancer, but hopefully normal urine colour, no jaundice and the episodic nature of the episodes reduces the risk of this?
I do not smoke and consume about 20 units of alcohol a week. I'm a bit overweight at just under 14st for 5ft 10in but eat a healthy diet and exercise frequently.
Could my gallbladder removal be a factor?
Brief Answer:
Disease presentation is not consistent with pancreatic cancer !!!
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back. I appreciate your continued trust in HCM.
Pancreatic cancer doesn't present like that. It has typical epigastric pain, weight loss, jaundice and more. Risk factors include diabetes, smoking, acute infection of pancreas and genetic predisposition.
Your kidney functions are not so much concerning in this case. Your Physician's stance on that is fair.
Gallbladder removal can be a very minor factor in this case. We need to investigate actually the Liver-and-bile-system inside liver to find out any issues with formation, flow of the secretions of liver.
However 20units of Alcohol need to be cut down , so please try that over a period of time.
Hope I addressed all the concerns you have. Let me know if you have further questions. I will be more than happy to clear any doubts. For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).
Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
Disease presentation is not consistent with pancreatic cancer !!!
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back. I appreciate your continued trust in HCM.
Pancreatic cancer doesn't present like that. It has typical epigastric pain, weight loss, jaundice and more. Risk factors include diabetes, smoking, acute infection of pancreas and genetic predisposition.
Your kidney functions are not so much concerning in this case. Your Physician's stance on that is fair.
Gallbladder removal can be a very minor factor in this case. We need to investigate actually the Liver-and-bile-system inside liver to find out any issues with formation, flow of the secretions of liver.
However 20units of Alcohol need to be cut down , so please try that over a period of time.
Hope I addressed all the concerns you have. Let me know if you have further questions. I will be more than happy to clear any doubts. For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).
Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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