Differential Diagnosis for Green Greasy Stool
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Malabsorption (particularly of fats): This condition leads to steatorrhea, which is characterized by greasy, foul-smelling stools that can appear green due to the presence of undigested fats and possibly bile pigments.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Although not directly causing green greasy stools, GERD can lead to malabsorption issues due to decreased digestive efficiency.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause changes in stool appearance, including greasiness and color changes, due to inflammation and malabsorption.
- Bile salt malabsorption: This can lead to steatorrhea, as bile salts are crucial for fat digestion and absorption.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Celiac disease: An autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to react to gluten, leading to small intestine damage and malabsorption of fats and other nutrients.
- Pancreatic insufficiency: The pancreas plays a crucial role in digestion by producing enzymes. Insufficiency can lead to malabsorption, including steatorrhea.
- Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): Although less directly linked to green greasy stools, SIBO can cause malabsorption and changes in stool appearance.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Short bowel syndrome: A condition where a significant portion of the small intestine is missing or not functioning, leading to severe malabsorption.
- Certain infections (e.g., giardiasis): Some intestinal infections can cause malabsorption and changes in stool appearance, including greasiness and color.
- Whipple's disease: A rare, systemic bacterial infection that can cause malabsorption among other symptoms.