floating stools don’t mean you’re sick, but it can be a symptom of various conditions. There are several reasons why poop floats and never seems to sink. Too much gas. You may have too much gas in you due to your diet, which can make your stools float. Some people think that floating poop is caused by fat, but it’s usually caused by gas. Research has indicated that once floating stools were degassed, they weighed the same as sinking poop. This indicates that gas was responsible for making floating stools float, rather than fat inside the poop.
Gas in your digestive system is usually caused when you swallow air or eat certain types of foods that break down into gas. If you eat a high-fiber diet with a lot of vegetables and fruits, you may get floating stools because digesting high-fiber foods releases more air during digestion. This leads to air or gas being trapped in the stool, making it float in the toilet bowl.
Medical conditions. If your poop floats, there’s a slight chance you have steatorrhea, which means you have too much fat in your poop. Steatorrhea indicates you can’t absorb fat properly, and it can be a symptom of the following conditions:
You may also have the following conditions if you have floating poop:
These are some foods that can cause gas:
Keep a food diary so you can keep track of what you eat and narrow down what foods are giving you gas. You should bring this diary to your doctor so you can talk to them about how you can change your diet.
Floating stools don’t necessarily mean you have an underlying health condition. To determine if a health condition is causing this, you should be on the lookout for other indicators. If your floating stools are smelly, sticky, or bloody, for example, you should see a doctor.
Your doctor will give you a proper diagnosis and walk you through the process of understanding your condition if you have one. Here’s a closer look at what might cause these symptoms:
Smelly and sticky stools. Smelly and sticky stools are typically a symptom of nutrient malabsorption. This means your body isn’t able to completely absorb and digest nutrients from your gastrointestinal tract due to damage to the small intestine, not having enough pancreatic enzymes, liver disease, HIV/AIDS, or other conditions.
If your floating stools are smelly and appear sticky, you should contact your doctor.
Blood in your stool. If your floating poop is accompanied by blood, it could be caused by:
If you find blood in your stools, you should see a doctor.
If you’re experiencing weight loss, dizziness, or fever in addition to finding blood in your stools, you should talk to your doctor immediately.
You should also get emergency medical help if there is a lot of blood in your poop, or if it is maroon or black and tarry.
Learn home remedies and when to seek medical treatments to help relieve and prevent your foul-smelling gas symptoms.
What does it mean if your poop is green? What about red, yellow, white, or black? Find out possible causes and when to call a doctor.
Does a parasite cleanse actually work? Find out more about these detoxes, their side effects, and safety considerations.
If you notice your poop is black or tarry, it might be due to something as simple as a change in your diet. Sometimes it’s a sign of a medical problem. Learn why your stool may have a different color and when you should call your doctor.
We all get an upset stomach from time to time. Knowing what to eat — and when — can help keep you from feeling worse. Find out more from Michoes Medical Centre.
Diverticulitis Diet – Get insights into what a diverticulitis diet is, what foods you should eat & avoid when you have this condition
Add psyllium husk to water, juice, or smoothies. Learn how and when to use psyllium husk for maximum health benefits.
The Bristol stool scale is a diagnostic tool used by doctors to assess various digestive issues based on the type and shape of poop.
H pylori, a stomach bacteria, causes ulcers and digestive issues. Know its symptoms, causes, and treatment