Yes, you should worry if your stools are gray.
Gray stools are concerning. Sometimes when doctors talk about grey stools, they use the terms “clay colored” or “pale.”
However, “clay” can bring up images of bowel movements that are the color of the standard clay pot that people plant flowers in: a dull or salmon-like orange.
But the “gray” here is an actual greyish hue, like what would result if you mixed white paint with black.
Causes of Gray Stools
“A person’s usual stools in terms of color, shape and consistency are based on their diet,” begins Franjo Vladic, MD, a board certified gastroenterologist with Center for Digestive Health and Endoscopy Center in Ohio.
“However, if a person’s stools are clay colored or pale, health care providers will be concerned about the patient’s biliary system,” continues Dr. Vladic.
“Clay” refers to the greyish type of clay-like substance that’s found in the ground, rather than the common dull orange color of clay pots for plants.
Dr. Vladic continues, “This could be a sign of bile duct obstruction (gallstones, pancreatitis, inflammation of the liver or pancreatic cancer).
“Clay colored stools indicate the biliary system is not draining properly because of a blockage.
“If the system drains properly, stools will either present as shades of green to brown.” They will not be grey.
Pancreatic Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2016, about 53,070 people in the U.S. (27,670 men, 25,400 women) will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Risk factors that can be changed: tobacco use; obesity as well as being overweight primarily in the midsection though not very overweight elsewhere; exposure to dry cleaning and metal working chemicals; lack of exercise (according to some studies but not all).
Uncontrollable risk factors: age, being black (a mild risk that’s not understood), family history, genetic syndromes, diabetes (type II mainly), chronic pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis, pylori stomach infection.
Other Causes of Bile Flow Obstruction
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic liver disease that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, which can eventually lead to their obstruction.
Biliary stricture is a narrowing of the bile ducts, often due to injury, surgery or chronic inflammation.
Biliary atresia is a congenital condition in which the bile ducts are absent or malformed.
Liver cirrhosis and other forms of liver disease can cause scarring of the liver tissue, which can compress and obstruct the bile ducts.
“If the stools are not pale or clay colored, the color is affected by the patient’s diet,” says Dr. Vladic.
The exception is reddish or black stools from actual blood.
Don’t be afraid to check your stool color every now and then; grey means you must see a doctor.
Dr. Vladic’s special interests include acid reflux, colitis, colon cancer, GERD, heartburn, IBS, liver disease, obesity, pancreatitis and peptic ulcer, among many others.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Source: cancer.org/cancer/pancreaticcancer/detailedguide/pancreatic-cancer-key-statisticsgrey stools
