White blotches that appear in the feces are almost always a sign indicating a deviation from the norm.
What could be the reason? What possible diseases does this symptom indicate? How is the diagnosis carried out, what is the further treatment? This and much more will now be discussed.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
This is a functional disease characterized by the following symptoms:
- White blotches in the feces of a mucous character.
- Chronic abdominal pain.
- The discomfort.
- Bloating.
- Disorders in the intestines.
This syndrome manifests itself in the fact that the intestine looks normal, but in the usual mode does not function. Usually a provoking factor is one of the following:
- Violation of nerve connections between the part of the brain that controls the functioning of the digestive tract and the intestines.
- Problems with motor skills.
- Dysbiosis. This is the name for the enhanced growth of bacteria in the small intestine.
- Improper nutrition, abuse of junk food, lack of dietary fiber, fiber.
- Heredity.
- Intestinal infections.
Diagnosis and treatment of IBS
If the patient has a suspicion of IBS, then the doctor will prescribe him the following procedures:
- X-ray examination of the intestine.
- Anorectal manometry.
- Contrast enema.
Diagnosis is necessary to exclude the likelihood of a deficiency of vitamins B 12 and B 3 , as well as iron deficiency anemia.
As a rule, to treat the syndrome:
- Antispasmodics (Drotaverin, Mebeverin).
- M-anticholinergics (Riabal, Buscopan, Metacin).
- Antidepressants (Citalopram, Fluxetin, Imipramine).
- Astringents (Tanalbin, Smecta).
- Prokinetics ("Debridate", "Itopride", "Metoclopramide", "Tegaserod").
- Probiotics (Bifiform, Lactovit, Hilak-Forte).
- Laxatives ("Ramnil", "Tisasen", "Cofranil").
There are many drugs, and only a doctor can prescribe the correct course of drug therapy, taking into account all the symptoms and characteristics of the patient's body.
Also, with IBS, you will need to follow a diet, go to physiotherapy and massage, do physiotherapy exercises, and also change your lifestyle. After this, after a certain period of time, white blotches in the feces will go away, as well as other symptoms.
Crohn's disease
This is a severe inflammatory disease of a chronic nature. Often, it affects all parts of the gastrointestinal tract, starting with the oral cavity, ending with the rectum. Mainly due to the disease, the terminal segment of the ileum suffers.
At the moment, the exact cause of Crohn's disease has not been established. But common are the following reasons:
- Exposure to viruses and bacteria.
- The effect of food antigen on which an abnormal immune response occurs.
- Exposure to autoantigens located on the intestinal wall.
Symptoms are as follows:
- Regular diarrhea
- White blotches in the feces, resembling mucus.
- Pain in the abdomen, which is repeated very often.
- Abscesses and infiltration.
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Perforated fistulas and ulcers, fraught with bleeding.
- The defeat of large joints.
- Skin rash.
- Visual impairment.
Diagnosis and treatment of Crohn's disease
To exclude other pathologists with similar symptoms, a person will have to undergo an instrumental examination, such as:
- Colonoscopy
- Irrigography.
- CT scan.
- Laboratory studies (blood, feces).
- Ultrasound
- Endoscopic examination.
The goal of treatment is to localize and reduce inflammation in the intestines, and also reduce the frequency and duration of exacerbations.
As a rule, such drugs are prescribed:
- Salicylates (Pentasa, Mesalazine, Sulfasalazine).
- Glucocorticoids ("Methylprednisolone", "Prednisolone").
- Tumor necrosis factor blockers (Golimumab, Adalimumab, Etanercept).
- Immunosuppressants (Methotrexate, Azathioprine).
- Topical hormones ("Budenofalk").
- Integrin receptor blockers (Vedolizumab).
In addition, antibiotics (Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin), probiotics, group D vitamins, and oxygen treatment can be prescribed. In severe cases, surgery is prescribed.
Ulcerative colitis
This chronic inflammatory disease is characterized by the appearance of bleeding on the colon mucosa, non-healing ulcers and areas of necrosis. The prolonged course of this ailment increases the risk of developing cancer.
Symptoms are as follows:
- White blotches in the feces of an adult.
- Pain in the abdomen is cramping in nature.
- Unformed stools or diarrhea (often with pus or blood).
- Constipation after diarrhea.
- Flatulence.
- False urge to defecate.
In 10% of cases extraintestinal symptoms occur - joint damage, eye disorders, thrombosis, damage to the bile ducts and liver, rashes on the mucous membranes and skin.
In the formation of this ailment, genetic heredity, the autoimmune process, as well as some infectious agents, are involved. Provoking factors are infections, an unbalanced diet, genetic mutations, stresses, drugs, and shifts in the intestinal microflora.
Diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative colitis
If this disease is suspected, the doctor sends the patient for a colonoscopy. Thanks to this method, it is possible to investigate the internal walls of the large intestine and its lumen.
You may also need to undergo procedures such as:
- Irrigoscopy.
- Tomography.
- Bacteriological sowing.
- X-ray study using barium.
- Coprogram.
- Occult blood test.
- Biopsy of an altered section of the colon wall.
Treatment is aimed at smoothing out clinical symptoms and reducing the intensity of the inflammatory process. Both surgical and therapeutic methods are involved - it all depends on the course of the disease and the patient's condition. If we talk about medicines, then these drugs are usually prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Sulfasalazine, Dipentum, Salofalk).
- Corticosteroids ("Prednisolone", "Metiprednisolone").
- Antibacterial drugs (Tienam, Cifran, Ceftriaxone, Ciprofloxacin).
- Immunomodulators (Azathioprine, Infliximab, Cyclosporin, Methotrexate).
Vitamin K, C, A and calcium are also prescribed. If purulent complications begin to develop, or infections join, then antibacterial systemic drugs are used.
Still sometimes physiotherapy is appropriate. In particular, exposure to alternating current, interference therapy, diadynamic therapy.
White grains in feces
They are usually found by people with weakened immunity, as well as patients undergoing radiation or chemical therapy. In this case, the cause of white inclusions in the feces in an adult is, as a rule, candidiasis. And these points are accumulations of fungi.
Something needs to be clarified. Candida fungus is present in every organism. It is necessary for food processing and assimilation of nutrients. But, if a person's immunity is suppressed, or the pH balance is impaired - his growth becomes uncontrolled. As a result, the fungus destroys the intestinal walls, as a result of which it enters the bloodstream. And this causes the release of toxins.
Concomitant symptoms are:
- Fatigue.
- Bad breath.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Allergy for no reason.
- Joint pain.
- Suddenly craving for sweets.
- Inability to concentrate.
- Decreased libido.
- White coating on the tongue.
- Gastrointestinal problems.
If, according to the results of the tests, candidiasis will be diagnosed, then first of all you will have to abandon the sweet and sour milk. After all, such products are food for the fungus. You need to eat more vegetables and fresh fruits.
The diet will be in addition to taking antifungal drugs prescribed by your doctor individually.
White greasy spots
Many also face them. Dark or black feces with white spots, reminiscent of spots, indicates problems with the digestion of fats. And this, in turn, speaks of hepatitis, cholecystitis and pancreatitis.
Possible causes include an allergic reaction and intolerance to certain foods.
Most often, oily spots are the result of the body's inability to absorb gluten. In this case, a number of other symptoms are observed - fatigue, bloating, abdominal pain, mouth ulcers, constipation or diarrhea, depression and anxiety, brittle teeth and bones, anemia, etc.
Slightly less often, this reaction of the body occurs with allergies to wheat and lactose, and even with hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels).
Other factors
Feces with white patches in an adult are not always a sign of pathology. Sometimes it is the result of the use of drugs such as antacids, or drugs containing aluminum hydroxide. In some cases, grains are what used to be a capsule of antibiotics.
Do not be scared if feces with white patches. These points may be pieces of undigested food. For example, particles of ingested seeds of figs or pomegranate, undigested grains of cottage cheese, banana fiber, oatmeal.
If grains appeared in the feces only once, then you should not worry. To cleanse the stomach, you can drink a rosehip broth.
It helps food to be absorbed faster, and also partially removes the load from the digestive tract.
But if white blotches began to appear too often, then you need to see a doctor as soon as possible - a therapist or a gastroenterologist.
Feces interspersed in children
The reason for this phenomenon in the case of babies lies in the diet. Feces with white impregnations in a child are a consequence of not completely digested milk.
Kids just have an immature fermentation system, so that's fine. But, if white blotches in the feces of a child appear too often, you should worry. Sometimes this phenomenon indicates lactose intolerance.
In some cases, such a chair indicates the presence of pathologies in the child's body. The most common include:
- Candidiasis.
- Dysbacteriosis
- Inflammation in the colon or small intestine.
- Parasitic infestation.
Diagnostic preparation
Regardless of who has noticed white blotches in the feces - in a baby, or in an adult - it is necessary to sign up for an examination.
In all cases, the first thing they donate is the blood and masses resulting from the stool, for analysis. You need to prepare for the procedure. Here's what you need to do:
- To cope with need, to carry out hygienic measures, after which the crotch must be wiped dry.
- Collect feces (5 g) in a clean and dry container.
- You need to deliver your biomaterial to the laboratory within two hours.