Stool tests, also known as fecal tests or fecal analysis, are diagnostic procedures used to examine a person’s stool sample for various indicators of gastrointestinal health and abnormalities. These tests provide valuable insights into digestive function, intestinal infections, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammation, and the presence of abnormal substances.
During a stool test, a small sample of stool is collected by the patient and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The sample is examined for its color, consistency, odor, and the presence of microorganisms or abnormal substances such as blood, fat, or parasites.
Stool tests are instrumental in diagnosing a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer, malabsorption disorders, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, stool tests help healthcare professionals monitor the effectiveness of treatments and detect serious diseases like colorectal cancer at an early stage, when intervention is most effective.