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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Greenish Discharge In An Ileostomy Bag?

I have had an ileostomy for 25 years now. Usually the discharge is a shade of brown. Lately, after I have been very active or lifted something heavy, the discharge is green without me eating anything green. This is not specks of green here and there. It is the whole discharge the color green. Is it just bile as my scientist husband says? Or could it be blood or something serious? In the 25 years I have had the stoma, this is the first time this has happened. Phyllis
Thu, 29 Aug 2019
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Noted your history of having ileostomy for the last 25 years, the discharge is usually brown but now the discharge is fully green but has not consumed anything greem, your scientist husband says this to be bile.
The commonest reason is intestinal infection or hyper-motility not allowing bile to get disintegrated fully.
This can be diagnosed by the following ways.
Tests of stool for 3 consecutive days and to measure the quantity of bile salts and pigments.
Also to see for intestinal infection.
Tests of blood for CBC, sugar and as advised.
This will allow a proper diagnosis for the cause of green stools.
If the intestinal infection is present then you have to take a prescription based course of an antibiotic, metronidazole and probiotics.
Also watch for the foods that instigate or enhance the problems and stop these altogether.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
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What Causes Greenish Discharge In An Ileostomy Bag?

Hi, Noted your history of having ileostomy for the last 25 years, the discharge is usually brown but now the discharge is fully green but has not consumed anything greem, your scientist husband says this to be bile. The commonest reason is intestinal infection or hyper-motility not allowing bile to get disintegrated fully. This can be diagnosed by the following ways. Tests of stool for 3 consecutive days and to measure the quantity of bile salts and pigments. Also to see for intestinal infection. Tests of blood for CBC, sugar and as advised. This will allow a proper diagnosis for the cause of green stools. If the intestinal infection is present then you have to take a prescription based course of an antibiotic, metronidazole and probiotics. Also watch for the foods that instigate or enhance the problems and stop these altogether. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon