Coprogram (general stool analysis). Decoding, normal values

Prescribed to determine the condition and function of the digestive organs. Such a stool examination helps to identify the presence of inflammatory and infectious lesions of the digestive system in a child. Also, using a coprogram in the stool, you can detect hidden blood (to diagnose internal bleeding) and worm eggs.

Norm

To be able to decipher the coprogram, you should know what characteristics of the stool are being examined and what their normal values ​​are. Note that in a small child, the type of feeding affects the characteristics of feces.

Possible reasons for deviations

Quantity

The volume of stool can be influenced by the baby’s diet - if he eats more plant foods, the volume of stool may increase, but when eating food of animal origin, on the contrary, the volume of stool decreases.

Possible causes of pathological changes in stool volume are:

Coloring

The color of the stool is affected by both the child’s diet and the use of medications.

Consistency

The consistency of stool is determined by the amount of liquid in the child's stool. Approximately 70-75% of the discharge is water, and the rest is cells from the intestines, food debris and dead microorganisms.

Smell

Normal fecal odor is specific, but not pungent. It is caused by fermentation processes caused by normal bacterial flora in the intestine. The smell becomes weaker if the child has constipation or a plant-based diet, and if there is too much meat in the diet or diarrhea, the smell becomes stronger.

Presence of a foul, pungent odor suggests that putrefactive processes predominate in the intestinal lumen.

Strong sour smell of baby's stool indicates an increase in the amount of fatty acids in the stool.

Acidity

The acid-base state of feces is associated with the bacterial flora living in the intestine. If bacteria are in excess, the pH of the stool shifts to the acidic side. Also, such a shift is typical for excessive consumption of carbohydrate foods.

If a child consumes a lot of proteins or has diseases associated with impaired protein digestion (as a result, putrefactive processes in the intestine may increase), then the acidity becomes more alkaline.

Slime

Epithelial cells in the intestines normally produce mucus to help move baby stool through the digestive tract. In the stool of a healthy child, visible mucus occurs only in the first 6 months of life when feeding with human milk.

In other cases, the presence of visible mucus in the stool indicates:

• Intestinal infections;
• Irritable bowel syndrome;
• Celiac disease;
• Malabsorption syndrome;
• Lactase deficiency;
• Hemorrhoids;
• Polyposis in the intestine;
• Diverticula in the intestine;
• Cystic fibrosis.

Leukocytes

Normally, such cells enter the child’s feces in small quantities and can be represented in the field of view of the microscope up to 8-10 pieces. An increase in the number of white blood cells in the stool is characteristic of infectious and inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. Read more about leukocytes in the feces of children in another article.

To determine pathology, the type of leukocytes is also important:

Stercobilin

This bile pigment is responsible for the normal color of stool. It is formed in the colon from bilirubin. The amount of stercobilin is determined in older children. When it increases, feces are called hypercholic. Such stool is characteristic of increased bile secretion and hemolytic anemia.

If stercobilin in stool is less than normal, such stool is acholic. It is characteristic of hepatitis, pancreatitis and gall bladder problems.

Bilirubin

This pigment normally enters a child’s feces only at an early age, especially during breastfeeding. It gives stool a greenish tint. In children over one year old, only the decay products of this pigment are excreted in their feces.

If bilirubin is detected in the stool, this may confirm problems with the intestinal flora (often dysbacteriosis after using antibiotics). Bilirubin is also detected during diarrhea, since feces are quickly evacuated from the intestines.

Muscle fibers

Such fibers appear in feces as a result of the digestion of foods of animal origin. Normally, when the digestive function is not impaired, a very small number of muscle fibers enter the feces, and they lose their cross-striations.

If this indicator is increased (this phenomenon is called creative rhea), then the child may have:

• Dyspepsia;
• Accelerated peristalsis (diarrhea);
• Pancreatitis;
• Ahilia;
• Gastritis (it can be hypoacid or anacid).

Blood

Usually, blood should not be detected in a child's stool. It may appear in visible amounts in feces if:

• Polyps in the rectum;
• Ulcerative colitis;
• Hemorrhoids;
• Proctitis;
• Tumors of the colon;
• Crohn's disease;
• Ischemic colitis;
• Diverticulosis of the colon.

If blood enters the stool in small quantities, it may not be visible externally, but is detected by the reaction to occult blood. If the reaction is positive, then it indicates the presence of:

• Gum diseases;
• Peptic ulcer;
• Nosebleeds;
• Varicose veins in the esophagus;
• Tumor process in the gastrointestinal tract;
• Mallory-Weiss syndrome;
• Dysentery;
• Colitis;
• Intestinal tuberculosis;
• Worms;
• Hemorrhagic vasculitis;
• Typhoid fever, etc.

Soluble protein

If such inclusions are detected in stool, although they are not found normally, then the cause may be:

• Bleeding in the digestive tract;
• Inflammatory processes in the digestive system;
• Ulcerative colitis;
• Putrefactive form of dyspepsia;
• Celiac disease.

Soap

This type of inclusion is normally present in small quantities in children's feces and represents residues from the digestion of fats.

If there is no soap in the feces, then the function of fat processing in the digestive tract is impaired. This happens when:

• Pancreatitis, when the function of enzyme production is impaired;
• Fermentative dyspepsia;
• Problems with the production of bile, as well as with its flow into the small intestine (diseases of the liver and gallbladder);
• Accelerated movement of feces through the digestive system;
• Impaired absorption of substances in the intestine.

Connective tissue fibers in feces

If such fibers were found in children's feces, they indicate problems with digesting food of animal origin. Possible causes may be gastritis with reduced secretory function or pancreatitis, as well as diarrhea.

Plant fiber

In stool analysis, only the presence of fiber, which is digested in the intestines, is taken into account. Normally, this type of dietary fiber should be absent, in contrast to fiber, which is not digested (it is found in feces and indicates the consumption of plant foods).

Digestible plant fiber is detected in the stool when:

• Pancreatitis;
• Ulcerative colitis;
• Anacidic and hypoacid gastritis;
• Consumption of plant products in large quantities;
• Putrefactive dyspepsia;
• Accelerated passage of food through the intestines with diarrhea.

Detritus

This is the name given to the part of feces represented by digested food, microbes and epithelial intestinal cells. The higher this indicator in the coprogram, the better the child digests food.

Presence of starch

This type of carbohydrate, found in cereals, fruits and vegetable dishes, should normally be absent from feces. If it is found in the stool, then the child may have:

• Gastritis;
• Pancreatitis;
• Diarrhea;
• Fermentative dyspepsia;

Fatty acid

They are a product of fat digestion. And if in babies up to one year old such acids may be present in the feces, then in older children their detection indicates:

• Disorders of the pancreas;
• Diarrhea (food leaves the intestines too quickly);
• Problems with absorption in the intestines;
• Problems with the production of bile, as well as its flow into the intestines;
• Fermentative dyspepsia.

Detection of neutral fat in feces

A small amount of it is acceptable for analyzing the stool of children in the first year of life, since their enzyme system is not yet fully developed. Older children should not have neutral fat in their stool, since it is completely processed by the body to produce energy. If neutral fat is found in the child’s stool, the reasons will be the same as when fatty acids are detected in the stool.

Other pathological inclusions

The presence of larvae, segments and eggs of helminths is detected during helminthiasis, and the presence of Giardia in the feces indicates giardiasis. There may be pus in the stool if there is an abscess or suppuration in the intestines.

– small particles of food that have been digested by the body. This is a completely normal phenomenon and does not indicate any pathology.

The less detritus in the feces, the better the digestive system copes with its duties. A study of the amount of these fractions in the coprogram allows us to determine how well the gastrointestinal tract works.

The amount of detritus in feces reflects the state of not only the gastrointestinal tract, but also human health in general. Violation of this parameter can tell the doctor about a number of abnormalities.

It should be noted, that at the moment there is no benchmark that would indicate normality. All indicators in this case are relative: they will depend on the person’s age, diet, lifestyle, and the presence of certain diseases.

The absolute norm will be the following qualitative factor: detritus is present in the feces, a small content of fatty fibers and acids.

The following indicators may indicate a bad coprogram:

1. Abundant detritus with the same amount of undigested fiber indicates constipation and other problems with the removal of feces from the colon.
2. With white detritus, a high content of undigested fiber, elevated white blood cells and the presence of mucus, the doctor makes a conclusion about the inflammatory process in the intestines.
3. With abundant detritus and bacteria in the stool, we can conclude that there is serious inflammation in the body.
4. The low content of such fibers indicates that digestion is proceeding normally.
5. If the stool is too liquid and the content of detritus is low, the doctor concludes that there is an infectious process in the intestines. In such cases, the body begins to store fluid to remove pathogenic microorganisms.
6. There is a high content of fatty detritus in the stool - this indicates a serious abnormality in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, liver or biliary tract.

The content of detritus in feces itself does not provide any information. When assessing the functioning of the body, it is necessary to take into account related parameters. In the feces of a healthy person, detritus makes up the bulk.

Reasons for changes in detritus in feces

If any abnormalities occur in the digestive system, the incoming food cannot be completely digested. For this reason, food waste appears in the feces in its original form. In addition, if you consume meat or organ meats, muscle fibers or fat clumps may appear in your stool.

They can be recognized without any tests: they look like oblong cylindrical clots. If food products are not completely digested, they can be recognized in the feces by thin threads.

Compared to fat particles, detritus has a smoother surface. Normally, lumps should be the same size with a uniform structure.

Most often, deviations from the norm occur due to a lack of pancreatic juice or inflammatory processes in the body. Detritus signals that the body is not coping with its tasks.

Deviations in the adult body

When diagnosing detritus in the body of an adult, it is necessary to determine the amount of juice produced by the pancreas.

It is necessary for normal bowel movements and is present in the stool of every person. If the body works normally, then all food entering it will be digested. The less detritus there is, digestion works better there.

The following may cause abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract:

• Infectious or bacterial damage to the body.
• Decreased immune abilities.
• Too rapid passage of stool through the rectum.
• Intestinal failure to accept a number of foods.
• Insufficient production of gastric juice.

Methods for determining detritus

Coprogram and general - studies that are carried out in any medical institution. When determining detritus, it is very important to identify its exact amount, as well as:

• Acidity indicator.
• Consistency, volume, color and smell of stool.
• The presence of mucus, blood, leukocytes and soluble protein.
• Contents of chemical components.
• The presence of fatty and neutral fats, soap.

Also, when determining the amount of detritus in potassium, it is important to know what the percentage of muscle fibers, connective tissue, plant fiber and feces is. If there is a deviation in these indicators, it is important to continue the diagnosis and determine its exact cause.

It should be noted that for each of this indicator there is its own norm. It is calculated based on the person’s age, gender and weight.

Special rules apply: from newborns to adolescents. It is also necessary to take into account the nutritional characteristics of each person: the ratio of plant and animal foods.

Treatment methods

To bring the amount of detritus back to normal, it is necessary to clearly know the pathology that provoked the change in this indicator in the feces. First of all, to recover, you will have to completely reconsider your lifestyle and diversify your diet.

Make sure your diet includes as many plant foods as possible. It is this that promotes more complete digestion of food.

If any pathologies are detected, your doctor may advise you to follow a special diet. It includes a complete rejection of unhealthy, high-calorie foods.

It is very important to ensure that all food is exclusively natural, without harmful components. Also try to determine which food causes difficulty in digestion. Most often it is milk, fatty meat, various side dishes.

Also don't forget the importance of exercise. There are special complexes that can restore normal digestion.

In case of serious violation, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed. They have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body as a whole.

In rare cases, drug treatment is performed. Most often, it consists of taking herbal preparations that have a positive effect on digestion and protect the gastrointestinal tract from pathogenic influences.

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A coprogram is a laboratory study of human feces that allows you to evaluate the functioning of the digestive organs. The coprogram allows you to determine not only the digestive and enzymatic ability of the gastrointestinal tract, but also the presence of signs of helminthiasis, infectious processes in the intestines, and inflammation of various localizations. A scatological examination helps identify diseases of the small intestine, large intestine, stomach, pancreas and anus.

One of the indicators assessed during a coprogram is detritus. Detritus is the main volumetric component of feces and consists of small particles of digested food bolus, epithelial cells, salts, toxins, microorganisms inhabiting the intestinal microflora, and their waste products. Cell decay products and particles of digested and broken down food are detected by microscopic examination of feces and are defined as the remains of organically processed tissues and elements.

Detritus in coprogram - what is it

Doctors call detritus in a coprogram an indicator of digestion. By the amount of detritus determined in feces, one can judge the usefulness of the secretory and digestive functions, since the substance is the smallest particles of digested food gruel, which can only be detected during examination under a microscope. In addition to the food component, the detritus also contains blood components (leukocytes, erythrocytes), mucus, various parts of the functional layer of the intestinal walls, and epithelial cells. If the amount of detritus in excrement meets or exceeds the norm, the person is considered healthy in relation to the digestive organs and no treatment is required.

If the detrital mass is insufficient, conclusions can be drawn about possible disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach, esophagus, pancreas, various segments of the large and small intestines, as well as the rectum. In this case, collecting a complete medical history of the patient and conducting additional diagnostic tests, prescribed taking into account existing complaints and clinical symptoms, is indicated. Usually these are endoscopic examinations of the stomach and intestines (sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, fibrogastroduodenoscopy), as well as blood and urine examinations.

Important! The amount of detritus in feces can be affected by the patient’s diet, as well as medications taken, so before taking the test it is better to follow a light diet and stop taking medications and vitamin supplements (provided that the patient is not taking vital medications).

Diagnosis of possible diseases

The amount of detritus in the stool of a healthy person should be abundant. This indicates the proper functioning of the digestive system and normal absorption of nutrients and water in the large intestine. Depending on what other symptoms can be detected during a scatological examination of excrement, the presence of specific problems and pathologies can be assumed.

Table. Basics and features of primary diagnosis after studying the coprogram.

If a large amount of fatty detritus is detected in the stool, the patient is referred for a comprehensive examination of the abdominal organs, because such a clinical picture may be the result of impaired outflow of bile, diseases of the hepatobiliary system (primarily the liver) and pancreas.

Need to know! The amount of detritus in feces can be moderate, abundant or scanty. This indicator in the decoding of the coprogram can be indicated by numbers (from 1 to 3) or markings (from “+” to “+++”).

Why might the analysis be inaccurate?

The abundant content of detritus in the total feces is not in itself a pathology, so you should not worry if the indicator is slightly increased: For primary diagnosis, auxiliary symptoms and clinical characteristics of the coprogram are of great importance. Even if, according to the results of the analysis, the patient has signs of an inflammatory process or other pathology of the digestive tract, the final diagnosis is made only after a comprehensive examination.

In some cases, a repeat stool test may be indicated, as certain factors may affect the reliability of the results, for example:

A person’s diet on the eve of the study is of great importance. Some products can liquefy stool and naturally reduce the volume fraction of detritus due to the abundant supply of fluid. These products include watery vegetables (zucchini, cucumbers, eggplants), fermented milk products, soups, and homemade sauces. Increased fluid intake 16 hours before the test can also distort the clinical picture and cause false results. Some dried fruits (especially prunes) also have a laxative effect, so you should avoid them in order to obtain the most reliable information about the functioning of the stomach and intestines.

If a coprogram is prescribed to find out the cause of chronic constipation, 3 days before donating stool, you should limit the consumption of foods that may impede the movement of a fecal bolus through the small and large intestines. These products include: rice, pears, bananas, brown bread, fried meat. It is also necessary to exclude carbonated drinks, kvass and alcohol.

Note! People suffering from chronic constipation should not take laxatives or do medicated enemas on the eve of the test. In case of prolonged absence of stool and the impossibility of independent defecation, a one-time use of a microenema using ordinary water at room temperature is allowed.

Detritus in a child's stool

In infants, coprogram is assessed rather conditionally, since the digestive system of infants completely completes its formation by 6-8 months. Until this point, the baby may experience both constipation and periodic stool thinning due to frequent bowel movements (up to 10 times a day). Both options are considered normal, provided that the child eats well, gains weight and height in accordance with age norms, and feels normal. Even if the level of detritus is increased or decreased, there is no need to worry if no abnormalities are detected in blood and urine tests.

After six months of age, stool analysis becomes more informative and allows you to identify possible pathologies in the process of primary diagnosis of intestinal diseases. Many factors influence the content of detritus in the feces of infants, but the main ones are:

• time of introduction of complementary foods;
• sequence and quantitative norms for introducing new products into the children's diet;
• type of feeding;
• adherence to diet, sleep and wakefulness;
• reasons for weaning (if the child is fed artificial milk substitutes).

Before the analysis, it is not recommended to give the child any vitamin complexes and supplements, as well as new foods and drinks. If the mother is breastfeeding and the baby is less than six months old, 10-12 hours before collecting the material, you should not give the baby formula, fruit juices or other complementary foods.

The level of detritus is an important, but not the main diagnostic indicator when studying feces at any age. It is impossible to rely only on these values ​​when carrying out primary diagnostics, since there are many physiological factors that can affect the reliability of the result. If a repeated scatological examination shows significant deviations from the norm, you should undergo an examination and check the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. read on our website.

Video - Examination of stool for dysbacteriosis

These are small fragments of processed food and dead bacterial cells formed as a result of the action of digestive enzymes. Normally, a healthy person excretes formed feces of dense consistency, containing a high consistency of detritus.

The coprogram indicator itself cannot indicate any pathology, but when mucus, leukocytes, and epithelial cells are detected in feces, an inflammatory process is diagnosed. An increased amount of detritus is observed with constipation and slow excretion of excrement from the body. At the same time, during the study, undigested fiber and feces of a solid consistency are revealed.

During diarrhea:

• the volume of detritus decreases sharply;
• the stool is loose and contains a lot of water;
• digestion is impaired;
• nutrients cannot be absorbed;
• intestinal microflora changes;
• in feces there are pathogenic microorganisms (up to 50% of the composition), epithelium, starch and other pathological components.

In case of inflammation of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder or common bile duct, the composition of feces includes fatty detritus, consisting of processed food fragments, bacteria, fungi and free lipids that could not be broken down due to insufficient production of bile acids and gland enzymes.

Research methods

Analysis of feces - a coprogram - is carried out using microscopy; the fragment is ground between glass slides and its composition is assessed. If the feces are too thick, add a small amount of water or sodium chloride solution and grind it with a glass rod until a smooth consistency is obtained.

To identify iodophilic microflora, crystals of fatty acids, drops of neutral lipids, staining reagents are used that change the color of the pathological component.

In microscopic analysis of feces, detritus constitutes the main background and is a mass of granular components. The more complete digestion of food occurs, the more detritus there will be and the fewer differentiated elements there will be.

When decoding the results of the coprogram, organoleptic and physico-chemical indicators are indicated. Based on the data obtained, the doctor evaluates the properties of feces, identifies pathological inclusions indicating the development of any disease of the intestinal tract, changes in acidity, microflora and the total volume of digested food fragments.

Permissible standards for detritus content

There is no clear quantitative indicator; in the results of the coprogram, one or more pluses are usually given opposite the “detritus” column.

• large quantity – (++++++);
• minimum content of detritus in feces – (+);
• very small amount – (+/-).

When deciphering the coprogram, the doctor takes into account the presence of pathological indicators in the stool, the patient’s complaints, data from instrumental diagnostic studies and the general condition of the patient. Therefore, only a specialist can correctly explain the analysis answer.

Reasons for changes in detritus content in feces

For normal digestion of food, the pancreas produces special enzymes, the liver begins to actively secrete bile, and if organs malfunction, food stagnates in the duodenum and is not fully broken down and absorbed. As a result, the amount of detritus decreases or increases.

Reasons for changing coprogram results:

• pancreatitis;
• cholecystitis;
• cholelithiasis;
• ulcerative colitis;
• malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract;
• enteritis;
• dysbacteriosis;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• Crohn's disease;
• intestinal infection;
• colitis;
• stomach ulcer;
• gastritis with high acidity.

The presence of detritus in the examined feces is not a pathology, but indicates the normal functioning of the digestive system. Inflammatory diseases and functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract can be diagnosed by changes in acidity, additional detection of mucus, pus, red blood cells, traces of undigested fiber, a large number of leukocytes and bacteria.

The scary word “detritus” actually means nothing more than small particles of food found in feces. Their presence in the coprogram in some cases is a normal phenomenon that should not be a cause for panic. Moreover, these particles can be present in the feces of both adults and children. However, sometimes a certain content of a substance such as detritus in a coprogram can signal the presence of certain health problems. How to understand the indicators obtained as a result of the analysis?

Detritus refers to small particles of food digested by the human body, as well as a certain amount of bacteria killed as a result of the action of digestive enzymes. And in fact, the more detritus in the stool, the better. That is, the presence of this substance in the proper amount is a signal about the normal functioning of the digestive system. By the amount of detritus in the coprogram, one can judge the state of the gastrointestinal tract and the human body as a whole.

On a note! The feces of a healthy person (child or adult) have a fairly dense consistency, and when carrying out tests, a large amount of detritus can be detected in it. And this is the norm.

If you examine detritus under a microscope, its structure will be generally shapeless; the particles, vaguely reminiscent of grains, have different sizes. Its formation largely depends on what foods a person consumed, on the composition of gastric juice, on the amount of digestive enzymes and much more. Also in detritus, in addition to dead bacteria and dietary fiber, pieces of dead epithelium of the intestinal walls, dead blood cells and other components may be present. During the digestion process, they change their structure so much that it becomes very difficult to distinguish them from each other.

What is a coprogram?

Attention! Excessively large or low concentrations of detritus indicate problems with the stomach and the digestive system as a whole. Thus, indicators deviate from the norm in the presence of inflammatory processes, diarrhea, diseases of the pancreas or gall bladder, etc.

Analysis of stool is carried out using a microscope. The test specimen is prepared by placing a small piece of stool between two glass slides. Next, the drug is studied for structure and composition assessment. Laboratory assistants may add a little water or sodium chloride solution to the feces if the feces are too dense. Feces prepared for examination have a soft structure and uniform consistency.

Also, before testing, stool may be centrifuged. In this case, everything that will be in the liquid fraction is considered detritus. Large elements will be classified as other impurities.

On a note! During the test, various staining agents may be used to help identify the presence of certain impurities or microorganisms in feces.

Detritus in the coprogram is the main background. A sufficient amount of it signals a normal digestion process. In the sheet with the analysis results, detritus is marked with “+” signs. With its maximum quantity, 5 “+” signs are placed, with a minimum – 1. The designation “±” is also sometimes found, indicating an excessively small amount of detritus in the feces.

On a note! If detritus in the feces is completely absent, the mass will have a crumbly or rocky dry structure.

Detritus in coprogram - what is it

Various factors in a person’s life can significantly affect the results of a coprogram. That is why, before conducting an analysis, it is important to notify the doctor about taking various medications, undergoing prior medical procedures, etc.

When is detritus normal?

There are no specific standards for the content of detritus in feces. Its amount greatly depends on many factors (for example, on the state of health or age of a person) and will be individual for each case. But, nevertheless, based on the concentration of this substance and its structure, doctors are able to obtain certain data about the functioning of the body. By the way, it is not the quantity, but the quality of detritus that will be subject to careful assessment. For example, a good indicator is a large amount of detritus with low levels of fatty acid salts and muscle fibers.

Attention! In a “bad” coprogram you can also see a considerable content of detritus, but at the same time it also contains a lot of fiber, mucus, altered leukocytes, etc.

Table. Indicators indicating the presence of pathologies.

On a note! Parents of young children, seeing one of their baby's first coprograms, often begin to worry after reading the line “fecal detritus.” But detritus is not a terrible diagnosis; on the contrary, the presence of this indicator indicates that everything is in order with the baby’s health. It is interesting that detritus in the feces of a baby will contain components included in the diet of the nursing mother and the child itself.

In any case, in order to identify the presence of some pathology associated with a change in the amount of detritus in the feces, the doctor must take into account all the indicators of the coprogram, the patient’s complaints, his general condition and many other aspects. Only a specialist can determine any violations in the coprogram.

Reasons for changes in detritus indicators

Deviations in detritus levels in feces can result from:

• production of gastric juice in insufficient quantities;
• introducing unusual foods into the diet;
• decreased immunity;
• an increase in the population of pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract;
• diarrhea;
• infectious diseases;
• constipation;
• inflammatory processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract.

The amount of detritus may change due to the development of diseases such as pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis and gastric ulcers, cholecystitis, the presence of gallstones, enteritis, Crohn's disease, gastritis or dysbiosis.

How to take stool for analysis?

To conduct a stool test, you will need to collect it for analysis and submit it to the clinic. The process is unpleasant, but necessary - a coprogram will allow the doctor to determine the condition of the body, and will also make it possible to make the most accurate diagnosis in a number of cases. In order to collect stool for analysis, you will need special containers, a small spoon and determination.

Step 1. Stool collection can occur in a clinic or at home. Typically, in a hospital, doctors themselves provide patients with the necessary equipment for collecting feces. For home collection, you will have to buy everything you need at the pharmacy yourself. These will be special plastic containers with a screw cap, containers for installation in the toilet, resembling a white hat in shape. It’s easier to collect baby’s feces directly from a clean potty.

Step 2. Usually, everything needed to collect feces is accompanied by instructions for use. If there is none, then you can focus on this material so as not to spoil the sample.

Step 3. In the toilet, you need to place a large container-“hat” in the toilet and sit on top, and then simply go through the process of defecation.

Step 4. Next you need to open the lid of one of the containers. Typically, the sample collection paddle is attached directly to the lid, but can also be placed separately. Use this spatula to scoop up a small piece of feces and place it in a container. Usually there is a mark on the container to which level you need to fill it. It is best to take stool from each edge of the fecal mass and from its middle.

Step 5. The container lid must be screwed on tightly. It is important to follow the instructions exactly, otherwise the sample may be damaged.

Step 6. The contents of the “hat” container must be poured into the toilet and flushed. The container itself is rolled up tightly and thrown into the trash. You cannot flush it (the container) down the drain.

Step 7 If going to the doctor and giving him samples is not an immediate matter, then the container should be placed in a brown bag, wrapped and refrigerated.

Step 8 You need to submit your stool to a specialist for analysis as quickly as possible. Then you just have to wait for the results.

Video - Stool analysis

Video – What will your chair tell you?

Thus, detritus is not the name of any pathology, but only a designation of substances that are normally present in the feces of any person, be it an adult or an infant. Moreover, they are there in fairly large quantities. Stool analysis is not as commonly used a research method as many others, but sometimes it is necessary so that the doctor can accurately diagnose and prescribe treatment. Don’t worry if the volume of detritus, according to a specialist, is somewhat deviated from the norm - it is important to remember that its amount depends on very, very many factors. read our article.