What do poop smells mean

In a recent video, Dr. Islam tackles the age-old question of what poop should smell like , to which there is one universal truth. After all, it is waste. However, according to Dr. Islam, the actual smell of your waste often tells doctors very little about your overall health. Yet, there are some exceptions to this general rule.

In rare cases, stool smell—along with other indicating signs—can clue you in on some underlying conditions or health issues. Many medications are coated with substances, such as sorbitol, that can ferment in your gut, causing digestive drama and—you guessed it—smelly poop.

Ditto for vitamins and supplements. Consuming even slightly more than the recommended amount can wreak havoc with the bowels too, says Dr. Patel, so make sure you discuss this with your doctor before taking, and ask whether there are steps you can take to avoid disruptions to your digestion.

The longer poop takes to mosey its way through your colon, the longer it has to ferment and cause a stink. For situational constipation say, due to traveling or not sleeping , try increasing your water intake and eating easily-digestible foods baby food consistency , suggests Dr. For people on a high-protein or high-fat diet where a lot of meats and cheeses are consumed, the smell of your poop will inevitably intensify.

Gut infections can be viral, bacterial, or parasitic in nature, and cause the gastrointestinal tract to become inflamed—symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, and smelly diarrhea.

Your doctor can test your poop to determine exactly the type of infection you have and offer up an appropriate treatment option. The medications typically upset the dynamic between the good and bad bacteria in the gut, says Dr. Patel, so make sure to ask for ways to keep your gut flora happy during treatment.

Like what you just read? Go here to subscribe. Weight Loss. Foul-smelling stools have an unusually strong, putrid smell.

In many cases, foul-smelling stools occur due to the foods people eat and the bacteria present in their colon. However, foul-smelling stools can also indicate a serious health problem. Diarrhea, bloating, or flatulence may occur with foul-smelling stools. These stools are often soft or runny. Changes in diet are a common cause of foul-smelling stool.

Additional causes include the following:. Malabsorption occurs when your body is unable to absorb the proper amount of nutrients from the food you eat. IBD is an autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation of your intestines.

If you have IBD, eating certain foods can trigger your intestines to become inflamed. People with IBD often complain of foul-smelling diarrhea or constipation. People with IBD also have flatulence after eating certain foods. This flatulence may have a foul smell. Infections that affect the intestines may also cause foul-smelling stools. Gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, can occur after eating food contaminated with:.

Soon after developing the infection, you may experience abdominal cramps and then have foul-smelling, runny stools. After a course of antibiotics, you may have foul-smelling stools until your normal bacterial flora is restored. Foul-smelling diarrhea can be a side effect of taking more than the recommended daily allowance of a multivitamin or any single vitamin or mineral.

Diarrhea associated with a multivitamin or more medication than the recommended dosage is the sign of a medical emergency. Getting too much of any of these vitamins can have life threatening side effects:. Foul-smelling stools may be the sign of a serious medical condition. See your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms:.

During your appointment, your doctor will ask questions about your stools, including their consistency and when you first noticed the foul odor. If the consistency of your stools has recently changed, your doctor will want to know when the change occurred. Your doctor may ask for a stool sample to be taken to check for bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections.