What causes floating stools. How can you identify malabsorption issues. When should you consult a doctor about changes in bowel movements. What dietary changes can help with floating stools. How are floating stools diagnosed and treated.

The Science Behind Floating Stools: Malabsorption and Flatulence

Floating stools are a common occurrence that often raises questions about digestive health. The primary reasons for this phenomenon are poor nutrient absorption (malabsorption) and excessive gas (flatulence) in the stool. To understand this better, let’s explore the digestive process:

1. Food enters the stomach and moves to the small intestine.
2. The small intestine absorbs nutrients from the food.
3. Unabsorbed material passes into the colon.
4. The colon absorbs water from the remaining food residue.
5. The final product is eliminated as feces.

When this process is disrupted, it can result in floating stools. But are floating stools always a cause for concern? In most cases, they are harmless and temporary, often resolving without treatment. However, persistent floating stools may indicate underlying health issues that require attention.

Common Causes of Floating Bowel Movements

Several factors can contribute to the occurrence of floating stools:

• Dietary changes leading to increased gas production
• Gastrointestinal infections
• Severe malabsorption issues
• Chronic conditions such as pancreatitis

Is your diet the culprit behind floating stools? Often, a change in eating habits can increase gas in the digestive system, causing stools to float. However, if you notice greasy, foul-smelling stools that float, particularly accompanied by weight loss, it could indicate a more serious malabsorption problem.

Identifying Malabsorption: Symptoms and Complications

Malabsorption occurs when your body struggles to absorb nutrients properly. How can you identify if you’re experiencing malabsorption? Look out for these signs:

• Persistent floating, greasy stools
• Foul-smelling bowel movements
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal discomfort or bloating
• Fatigue or weakness

While occasional floating stools are usually not a cause for alarm, chronic malabsorption can lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health complications if left untreated. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor your symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if you suspect ongoing malabsorption issues.

Dietary Influences on Stool Buoyancy

Your diet plays a significant role in determining the characteristics of your stool. Which foods are more likely to cause floating stools? Foods high in gas-producing compounds or those that are difficult to digest can contribute to this phenomenon. Some examples include:

• Beans and legumes
• Carbonated beverages
• Dairy products (especially for those with lactose intolerance)
• High-fiber fruits and vegetables
• Artificial sweeteners

Can dietary changes help resolve floating stools? In many cases, yes. Identifying and avoiding the specific foods that trigger this issue can often lead to improvement. Keep a food diary to track which items might be causing problems, and consider eliminating them from your diet to see if it makes a difference.

When to Seek Medical Advice for Floating Stools

While floating stools are often benign, there are instances when they warrant medical attention. When should you consult a healthcare provider about changes in your bowel movements? Consider seeking medical advice if you experience:

• Persistent floating stools lasting more than two weeks
• Bloody stools accompanied by weight loss, dizziness, or fever
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Unexplained abdominal pain
• Significant changes in stool color or consistency

Early intervention can be crucial in identifying and treating any underlying conditions that may be causing persistent floating stools. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your digestive health.

Diagnostic Approaches for Floating Stools

How do healthcare professionals diagnose the cause of floating stools? When you visit your doctor with concerns about floating stools, they may employ several diagnostic approaches:

1. Physical examination: The doctor will perform a thorough physical exam and ask detailed questions about your medical history and symptoms.
2. Stool sample analysis: This can help identify infections, malabsorption issues, or other digestive problems.
3. Blood tests: These may be conducted to check for nutritional deficiencies or other health issues.
4. Imaging tests: In some cases, X-rays or other imaging studies might be necessary to examine the digestive tract.
5. Endoscopy: This procedure allows the doctor to visually inspect the digestive tract for abnormalities.

The specific diagnostic tests recommended will depend on your individual symptoms and medical history. Your healthcare provider will use this information to determine the underlying cause of your floating stools and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Floating Stools

The treatment for floating stools depends on the underlying cause. What are some common approaches to addressing this issue?

• Dietary modifications: Eliminating problematic foods and incorporating a balanced diet.
• Probiotics: These can help improve gut health and digestion.
• Enzymes: Supplemental enzymes may be prescribed to aid in nutrient absorption.
• Medications: In cases of infections or specific digestive disorders, targeted medications may be necessary.
• Lifestyle changes: Stress reduction techniques and regular exercise can support overall digestive health.

Remember, treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and the specific cause of the floating stools. Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for the best outcomes.

Preventing Floating Stools: Lifestyle and Dietary Tips

While not all cases of floating stools can be prevented, there are steps you can take to promote healthy digestion and reduce the likelihood of experiencing this issue. How can you maintain optimal digestive health?

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support proper digestion.
• Eat a balanced diet: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your meals.
• Limit gas-producing foods: If certain foods consistently cause digestive issues, consider reducing or eliminating them from your diet.
• Manage stress: High stress levels can impact digestion, so incorporate stress-reduction techniques into your daily routine.
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help stimulate healthy bowel movements and improve overall digestive function.
• Avoid overeating: Large meals can overwhelm your digestive system, so try eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.

By implementing these lifestyle and dietary changes, you can support your digestive health and potentially reduce the occurrence of floating stools. However, if you continue to experience persistent symptoms, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.

The Role of Fiber in Digestive Health

Fiber plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. How does fiber impact stool consistency and buoyancy? There are two types of fiber:

1. Soluble fiber: This type absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract, helping to soften stools.
2. Insoluble fiber: This type adds bulk to stools and helps move them through the intestines more quickly.

Both types of fiber are important for overall digestive health. However, sudden increases in fiber intake can lead to gas production and potentially cause floating stools. To avoid this, gradually increase your fiber intake over time, allowing your digestive system to adjust. Good sources of fiber include:

• Fruits (e.g., apples, pears, berries)
• Vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, spinach)
• Whole grains (e.g., oats, quinoa, brown rice)
• Legumes (e.g., lentils, beans, chickpeas)
• Nuts and seeds

By incorporating a variety of fiber-rich foods into your diet, you can support healthy digestion and promote regular bowel movements. Remember to increase your water intake as you add more fiber to your diet to prevent constipation.

The Impact of Gut Microbiome on Stool Characteristics

The gut microbiome, composed of trillions of microorganisms living in your digestive tract, plays a significant role in digestion and overall health. How does the gut microbiome affect stool characteristics, including buoyancy?

• Gas production: Certain bacteria in the gut produce gas as they break down food, which can contribute to floating stools.
• Nutrient absorption: A healthy gut microbiome supports efficient nutrient absorption, potentially reducing the likelihood of malabsorption-related floating stools.
• Stool consistency: The balance of bacteria in your gut can influence the water content and consistency of your stools.
• Immune function: A diverse gut microbiome supports a strong immune system, which can help prevent gastrointestinal infections that may lead to floating stools.

To support a healthy gut microbiome, consider incorporating probiotic-rich foods into your diet, such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. Additionally, consuming prebiotic foods that feed beneficial gut bacteria can help maintain a balanced microbiome. These include foods like garlic, onions, leeks, and asparagus.

The Connection Between Stress and Digestive Health

Stress can have a significant impact on your digestive system, potentially contributing to issues like floating stools. How does stress affect digestion?

• Altered gut motility: Stress can speed up or slow down the movement of food through your digestive tract.
• Increased inflammation: Chronic stress may lead to inflammation in the gut, affecting nutrient absorption.
• Changes in gut bacteria: Stress can disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in your gut.
• Increased sensitivity: Stress may make your digestive system more sensitive to certain foods or stimuli.

To manage stress and support digestive health, consider incorporating stress-reduction techniques into your daily routine:

1. Practice mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises
2. Engage in regular physical activity
3. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
4. Seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional
5. Consider relaxation techniques like yoga or progressive muscle relaxation

By managing stress effectively, you may be able to improve your overall digestive health and potentially reduce the occurrence of floating stools related to stress-induced digestive issues.

The Importance of Proper Hydration for Digestive Health

Adequate hydration is crucial for maintaining healthy digestion and preventing issues that may lead to floating stools. How does proper hydration impact your digestive system?

• Supports nutrient absorption: Water helps dissolve nutrients, making them easier for your body to absorb.
• Prevents constipation: Sufficient water intake helps soften stools and promote regular bowel movements.
• Aids in digestion: Water is necessary for the production of digestive juices and the breakdown of food.
• Maintains electrolyte balance: Proper hydration helps your body maintain the right balance of electrolytes, which are essential for digestive function.

To ensure you’re staying adequately hydrated, consider the following tips:

1. Drink water throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty.
2. Consume water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.
3. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, as these can contribute to dehydration.
4. Monitor your urine color – pale yellow indicates good hydration.
5. Increase water intake during hot weather or when exercising.

By maintaining proper hydration, you can support your digestive health and potentially reduce the likelihood of experiencing floating stools related to dehydration or poor digestion.

Stools – floating Information | Mount Sinai

Floating stools

Stools that float are most often due to poor absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) or too much gas (flatulence).

Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs. Whatever has not been absorbed by the small intestine passes into the colon. In the colon most of the water is absorbed from the food residue. The residue is then eliminated from the body as feces.

Considerations

Most causes of floating stools are harmless. In most cases, floating stools will go away without treatment.

Floating stools alone are not a sign of an illness or other health problem.

Causes

Many things can cause floating stools. Most of the time, floating stools are due to what you eat. A change in your diet may cause an increase in gas. Increased gas in the stool allows it to float.

Floating stools may also happen if you have a gastrointestinal infection.

Floating, greasy stools that are foul smelling may be due to severe malabsorption, particularly if you are losing weight. Malabsorption means your body is not properly absorbing nutrients.

Most floating stools are not caused by an increase in the fat content of the stool. However, in some conditions, such as long-term (chronic) pancreatitis, the fat content is increased.

Home Care

If a change in diet has caused floating stools or other health problems, try to find which food is to blame. Avoiding this food may be helpful.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Tell your health care provider if you have changes in your stools or bowel movements. Contact your provider right away if you have bloody stools with weight loss, dizziness, and fever.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, such as:

• When did you first notice the floating stools?
• Does it happen all the time or from time to time?
• What is your usual diet?
• Does a change in your diet change your stools?
• Do you have other symptoms?
• Are the stools foul smelling?
• Are the stools an abnormal color (such as pale or clay-colored stools)?

A stool sample may be needed. Blood tests may be done. In most cases, however, these tests will not be needed.

Treatment depends on the specific diagnosis.

Höegenauer C, Hammer HF. Maldigestion and malabsorption. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 104.

Schiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.

Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 131.

Last reviewed on: 5/4/2022

Reviewed by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Why Do Stools Float Sometimes?

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Are Floating Stools?
• Why Would Stools Float?
• When To See a Doctor
• Treatment
• Prevention

Stools, or poop, usually sink to the bottom of the toilet, but sometimes, they can float. If your poop never sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl, you may have too much gas in your intestines.‌

Normally, floating stools aren’t a cause for concern. Read on to learn more about why stools float, what floating stools say about your health, and more.

When stools float, it means the poop stays on the surface of the toilet water instead of sinking. Normally, poop sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl.‌

Floating poop doesn’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:

• Celiac disease
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) due to cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis
• Diseases affecting small intestines such as tropical sprue, Whipple disease, and lymphoma
• Bile acid deficiency

You may also have the following conditions if you have floating poop:

• Gastrointestinal infection
• Malabsorption, which means you’re not absorbing nutrients as well as you should

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:

• Bleeding in your anus or rectum
• Cancer of your digestive system
• Blood vessel abnormalities
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis
• Ulcers in the stomach or small intestine
• Polyps
• Diverticulitis ‌

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.‌

Your doctor will be able to determine what is the exact cause of bloody poop through imaging tests and physical exams.

When you visit your doctor, they will likely ask you several questions about your medical history and your current health to determine why you have floating stools. They will also ask you about your diet and how long you’ve been having this issue so they can make any needed diet and medication recommendations.

Unless there is a medical condition causing you to have floating poops, there is no need to do anything to treat or prevent them.

Monitor your pooping habits. Always be aware of any changes to your stool and bowel movements. If you’re suddenly pooping more or less, or your poop looks very different, you should report these changes to your doctor. Your doctor will find it easier to diagnose any health conditions you may have if you keep an organized record about your pooping habits.

Changing your diet. Sometimes, preventing floating poop can be as easy as changing your diet, since floating poop can be caused by eating foods that cause you to have more gas.

You should avoid the following foods if you have a problem with too much gas:

• Hard candy
• Fizzy or carbonated drinks
• Gum‌

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.

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Feces buoyancy linked to intestinal microbiota

American researchers figured out why some feces sink in water while others float on the surface. According to experiments on mice, the composition of the intestinal microbiota is solely responsible for this. The report on the work was published in the journal Scientific Reports .

Feces 10-15 percent of people float on the surface of the water, and this is not associated with any pathological condition. Among people with functional bowel disorders, this proportion rises to about one in four. Historically, it was believed that the buoyancy of feces is due to the high content of fat in it, but in 19In 1972, Michael Levitt, a gastroenterologist from the University of Minnesota, and his student William Duane, in experiments with the stool of 39 people (including six patients with steatorrhea), showed that even fatty feces sink when gas is removed. The researchers did not specify the origin of the gas component, and this question, which has the potential for clinical application, has remained open until now.

To understand it, staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under the direction of Nagarajan Kannan, used conventional C57BL/6 (B6) and gnotobiotic (born and reared in aseptic conditions that do not have a microbiome) mice. Some of the latter have been colonized with microbiota in their intestines by a single intragastric injection of the drug, either in the faeces of normal mice or one of two healthy women, or by allowing contact with environmental bacteria. Fecal sterility of germ-free mice and successful colonization of the intestines of the rest were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, scanning electron microscopy, and measurement of bacterial DNA concentration (a measure of microbiota density).

Flow cytometry showed that the number of undigested particles of food biomass is inversely related to the density of the intestinal microbiota. In thermogravimetry, the feces of germ-free mice differed from the rest of the samples in at least three temperature ranges; pycnometry revealed its significant superiority in relative density. The shape, size and color of the stool in all groups of animals did not differ.

To assess the buoyancy of faeces, the researchers used a simple LIFT test they had previously developed – levô in fimo (literally translated from Latin as “raising in dung”) test. It consists in placing stool fragments in water and a Trump fixer solution (10 percent formaldehyde and one percent glutaraldehyde) in phosphate buffer (TFS), followed by recording their position (at the bottom or surface) after a minute, hour and day. It turned out that all samples from germ-free mice sink in water and TFS in less than a minute, while about half of the bacteria-colonized samples remain on the surface of the water and all of them continue to swim in TFS after a day.

Also, the authors of the work performed simultaneously LIFT and microbiota density determination in gnotobiotic mice before intragastric colonization (all faeces were drowned, bacterial DNA was practically not determined) and after it weekly for 12 weeks. By the third week, with all methods of microbiota formation (transplantation from mice and humans, from a non-sterile environment), the DNA concentration in the whole stool began to stabilize at a level of more than 10 thousand nanograms per milligram, from that time all biosamples floated.

Metagenomic analysis of the intestinal microbiota of conventional, artificially colonized gnotobiotic and their donor mice revealed 13 dominant species of gasogenic bacteria from 11 genera, and their composition in different animals was extremely heterogeneous. The most common was methane-producing Bacteroides ovatus , associated, as previously shown, with an increased risk of flatulence in humans.

Thus, the buoyancy of feces depends solely on the gases produced by the microbiota; Swallowed air and the chemical composition of the dense matter of the stool do not play a role in this, Kannan concluded.

In 2019, Tufts University researchers reported that fecal transplants from physically fit older adults significantly increased the grip strength of mice. At the same time, a Belgian-Dutch scientific group showed that the intestinal microbiota affects the quality of life and the risk of developing depression. In turn, the species composition of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract depends on at least 69 main factors, including such non-obvious ones as the opinion of one’s own body weight and plans to reduce it, preferences for chocolate varieties and taking antidepressants – the Dutch, Belgian, Russian and British scientists.

You can read about the various uses of excrement in wildlife in the blog “It’s the norm: about the instrumental use of feces.” Issues related to fecal transplantation are analyzed in detail by Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Mikhail Gelfand.

On mice

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WARNING: CHOLERA! (reminder for the population)

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused when a bacterium, vibrio cholerae, enters the digestive organs.

Source of disease and mechanism of transmission. The source of infection is a person with a typical form, as well as an asymptomatic form, a convalescent (recovering person) and a healthy carrier.

Infection occurs mainly when drinking non-disinfected water, swallowing water while swimming in polluted water bodies, while washing. Infection can occur when eating food contaminated during cooking, storing, washing or distributing it, especially foods that are not subjected to heat treatment (shellfish, shrimp, dried and lightly salted fish). Contact-household (through contaminated hands) transmission route is possible. By the fecal-oral route, Vibrio cholerae enters the intestine and causes inflammation, which causes the main clinical symptoms.

Main symptoms. The incubation period lasts from several hours to 5 days, usually 1-2 days. The severity of the disease varies from an asymptomatic form to severe conditions with severe dehydration and death within 1-2 days. A typical clinical picture of cholera is characterized by: acute onset, diarrhea: copious stools from 3 to 30 per day; characteristic stool: mushy or liquid feces, first white-gray, then colorless, odorless and blood impurities, with floating flakes. All this is reminiscent of “rice water”. There is usually no pain in the abdomen. Vomiting is also characteristic: sudden, frequent, fountain, first eaten food, then liquid like “rice water”. Temperature increase: usually absent, in severe cases, the temperature is lowered to 35-35.5 ° C. (feature – only children can have an increase in body temperature). Further, dehydration develops: thirst, dryness of the mucous membranes and skin, sharpened facial features, sunken eyes, weakness, lethargy, impaired consciousness, coma. The amount of urine decreases until it disappears. There are cramps of masticatory and calf muscles, shortness of breath. The most common complication of cholera is currently pneumonia.

Treatment. If cholera is suspected, the patient must be hospitalized. Medications are prescribed to maintain the water-salt balance of the body, antibiotics, etc., which are prescribed only by a doctor.

If you have diarrhea, especially severe diarrhea, and you are in an area where cholera has been reported, seek immediate medical attention from a doctor or other healthcare professional. Drink water and other unsweetened liquids while waiting for medical attention.

Prevention. Mandatory hygiene measures:
drink guaranteed safe water and drinks (boiled water, disinfected water, drinks and water in factory packaging)
wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with safe water
eat hot, thoroughly cooked foods.