Coprogram - analysis of feces

Coprogram - feces analysis to definition digestive capacity of the stomach and intestines. The main indicators Coprogram are the physico-chemical and microscopic characteristics of feces.

Analysis of a feces - is a simple, non-invasive, and thus very informative analysis. It allows to suspect many diseases of digestion, may help to control treatment and recovery. Coprogram also possible to determine the presence of parasites.

Indications

With the help of coprogram are diagnosed:

• Bowel disease;
• Diseases of the small and large intestine;
• Liver disease and gall bladder;
• Pancreas problems;
• Diseases of the rectum;
• Intestinal parasitosis (worms, giardiasis).

Also coprogram prescribed in comprehensive prevention as one of the basic research. Coprogram in dynamics shows the correctness of treatment and allows to carry out its correction.

The main parameters

In coprogram are analyzed visually defined indicators:

• Number and consistency of the faeces, their color and odor, the presence of pathological contaminants (blood, mucus, food particles, parasites);
• Microscopic structure of a feces - the presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, fibers;
• Chemical composition - the presence of hemoglobin, pigments, fat, protein, etc.

The presence of characteristic abnormalities in coprogram indicates the level of lesions of the stomach, intestines, endocrine glands. The analysis shows the extent of the violations and the effectiveness of therapy at the study in dynamics.

Preparing to coprogram

To eliminate the influence of external factors and nutrition,  is required a proper preparation to the investigation:

• Two days prior to the study from a nutrition exclude coloring foods (tomatoes, beets, rhubarb);
• Cancel the reception of enzymatic and other drugs (antibiotics, drugs for the motility, contrast agents);
• In the diet is necessary to include vegetable dishes, cereals, dairy products, fruit and bread in a limited number;
• Women are not allowed to make coprogram during menstruation;
• Analysis also must not come into contact with urine.

Forbidden to use an enema or mechanical stimulation of the rectum, reception laxatives for analysis. Analysis of about one third container is collected in a special container with a tight lid.

Norm results and Abnormalities

Coprogram carried out by a number of indicators, comparing the results of the sample analysis with the established norms. Normal stool color is brown. This is due to the presence of bile in the stool. Normal stool color can range from light yellow to brown to almost black. If stool is red, maroon, black, clay-colored, pale, yellow, or green this may signify a problem. Consistency should be soft or compacted, a cylindrical shape, with soft fecal odor.

The color of stool may indicate both on taking certain foods and medicines, so and in pathology. Some causes of stool color changes include:

• Certain vegetables with deep colors, green foods;
• Food dyes (especially red, green, purple);
• Ron pills;
• Biliary obstruction;
• Ystic fibrosis;
• Emorrhoids;
• Tumors;
• Bleeding in the stomach;
• Bleeding in the lower parts of the intestines or colon;
• Chronic pancreatitis;
• Celiac disease;
• High fat foods;
• Crohns disease;
• Diarrhea.

In the stool should not be identified fragments of food, on the surface should not be blood or mucus. The stool sample is carried out:

• Analysis of occult blood
• Tests for the presence of protein
• Identification of bile pigment - bilirubin and stercobilin

Normally, there should not be an occult blood, protein, bilirubin, and stercobilin must be determined - it gives the color. In normal analysis are absent eggs and vegetative forms of parasites, amebic cysts, lamblia cysts, ascomycetes.

Change of alkalinity in stool indicates the fermentation and putrefactive processes of the intestine, the presence of dysbiosis, dyspepsia, disturbances in the pancreas.
The increase in the number of white blood cells and mucus in feces - a sign of inflammation in certain parts of the guts, the presence of acute intestinal infections, ulcerative process.

The appearance of the protein present at a gastritis or duodenitis, pancreatitis and colitis.

The appearance in coprogram steatorrhea (neutral fat) or starch - are signs of malabsorption in the small intestine or the destruction of the pancreas. The presence of abnormal cells in the feces - a sign of tumor processes.

Symptoms of stool changes are usually related to the underlying cause and often there are accompanying symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain and cramping;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Constipation;
• Weakness;
• Dizziness.

Treatment for changes in stool depends upon on the cause and can vary widely. If stool changes only happen once or twice (are transient) they are less of a concern than those that are persistent. Contact a doctor if changes in feces are persistent.