1. Ayurvedic Perspective: Mala as a Reflection of Agni & Dosha Balance
✔️ Indicates the health of Jatharagni (Digestive Fire)
✔️ Shows Dosha imbalance (Vata, Pitta, Kapha-related disorders)
✔️ Detects Ama (Toxins) – linked to metabolic & systemic diseases
✔️ Correlates with organ dysfunction (Liver, Pancreas, Gut, Colon)
| Ayurvedic Stool Characteristics | Possible Condition |
|---|---|
| Hard, dry stools (Vata imbalance) | Chronic constipation, IBS-C |
| Loose, yellowish stools (Pitta imbalance) | Diarrhea, Dysentery, Hyperacidity |
| Sticky, mucoid stools (Kapha imbalance) | Malabsorption, IBS, Gut infections |
| Foul-smelling, undigested particles | Weak digestion, Ama accumulation |
| Black stools (Krishna varna) | GI bleeding, Peptic ulcer |
| Pale stools | Liver disorders, Biliary obstruction |
2. Modern Medical Perspective: Stool as an Indicator of GI Pathology
Mala (stool) can reveal:
✔️ Gastrointestinal infections (Bacterial, viral, parasitic)
✔️ Inflammatory conditions (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
✔️ Obstructive diseases (Gallstones, Biliary blockage)
✔️ Liver and pancreatic disorders (Hepatitis, Pancreatitis, Malabsorption)
✔️ Systemic diseases affecting the gut (Diabetes, Thyroid disorders)
Key Stool Characteristics & Their Clinical Significance
| Stool Type | Possible Disease/Condition |
|---|---|
| Hard, pellet-like stools | Chronic constipation, IBS, Dehydration |
| Loose, watery stools | Gastroenteritis, IBS-D, Food poisoning |
| Mucus in stool | IBD (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s), Amoebiasis |
| Blood in stool (Hematochezia) | Hemorrhoids, Colorectal cancer, Anal fissures |
| Black tarry stools (Melena) | Upper GI bleeding, Peptic ulcer, Esophageal varices |
| Yellow, greasy stools | Pancreatitis, Malabsorption (Celiac disease) |
| Pale, clay-colored stools | Liver disease, Biliary obstruction |
| Foul-smelling stools with undigested food | Malabsorption, Pancreatic insufficiency |
Common Stool Tests & Their Diagnostic Role
| Test | Purpose | Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Stool Culture | Identifies bacterial infections | Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli |
| Ova & Parasite Test | Detects parasitic infections | Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica |
| Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) | Detects hidden blood | Colorectal cancer, GI bleed |
| Fecal Calprotectin | Inflammation marker | IBD (Crohn’s, UC) |
| Fecal Fat Test | Detects malabsorption | Celiac disease, Pancreatic insufficiency |
| Stool pH Test | Identifies malabsorption | Lactose intolerance, IBS |
Diseases Diagnosed by Mala Pariksha (Stool Examination)
1. Infectious Diseases
✔️ Bacterial – Salmonella, Shigella, Cholera (Watery diarrhea)
✔️ Parasitic – Amoebiasis, Giardiasis (Mucus-laden stool)
✔️ Viral – Rotavirus, Norovirus (Explosive diarrhea, dehydration)
2. Inflammatory & Autoimmune Diseases
✔️ Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis (Bloody, mucus stools)
✔️ Celiac Disease – Malabsorption, pale greasy stools
3. Liver & Biliary Disorders
✔️ Hepatitis, Liver Cirrhosis – Clay-colored stools
✔️ Gallstones, Biliary Obstruction – Pale, fatty stools
4. Pancreatic Disorders
✔️ Chronic Pancreatitis – Fatty, foul-smelling stools
✔️ Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency – Steatorrhea (fat malabsorption)
5. Gastrointestinal Cancers
✔️ Colorectal Cancer – Blood in stool, weight loss
✔️ Gastric Cancer – Melena (black stools)
6. Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders
✔️ Hypothyroidism – Chronic constipation
✔️ Diabetes – Diarrhea due to autonomic neuropathy
Clinical Approach for Stool Examination in Practice
🔹 Step 1: Ask patient history (Diet, bowel habits, pain, medications)
🔹 Step 2: Observe stool characteristics (Color, consistency, odor, mucus, blood)
🔹 Step 3: Order stool tests (Culture, FOBT, Fecal fat, Calprotectin, O&P test)
🔹 Step 4: Correlate with systemic symptoms (Jaundice, weight loss, fever)
🔹 Step 5: Identify possible disease & start treatment (Infection, IBD, Pancreatitis)