Causes, is it normal, and when to see a doctor

Stool is denser than water and usually sinks, but it can float if it contains too much fiber, fat, or gas. This could stem from an infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and other health conditions.

If an individual’s stool floats often, it may be the result of their diet or a medical condition.

This article will provide information about some of the causes of floating stool. It will also discuss when a person’s stool indicates the need to seek guidance from a doctor.

Stool’s ability to float is usually related to air. A high fiber diet and gas can cause stool to float.

However, if a person’s stool never sinks, it may be an indication of an underlying health condition, such as:

• malabsorption
• a gastrointestinal (GI) infection
• pancreatitis

Excess fat in stool can also lead to floating stool. This can happen if a person consumes a large quantity of fat in their diet or if they have a condition that affects fat absorption, such as Crohn’s disease.

A diet high in fiber leads to increased bacterial fermentation during digestion. This produces more air, which can get trapped in stool, causing it to float.

Many high fiber foods, such as beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, can cause gas. A 2020 study found that switching from a low fiber diet to a diet rich in fiber increased bloating, especially when the new diet was also rich in protein.

Some people also develop gas when they change their diet. If stool floats after an individual has eaten a new food or has switched to a new diet, gas could be the culprit.

Research from 2016 notes that 95% of adults and children in the United States do not consume enough fiber. Recommendations for fiber intake vary by age and sex.

Females aged 19–50 years should consume at least 25 grams (g) of fiber per day, while males in the same age group need at least 38 g of fiber daily.

GI infections can cause floating stool.

Some infections may cause gas, which can become trapped in the stool, lowering its density. In other cases, certain infections impair the body’s ability to absorb food, causing malabsorption. This can lead to fatty stools that float.

One example includes giardiasis. This is a parasitic infection that results in greasy stools that float.

Q:

What other GI infections can cause floating stool?

Anonymous

A:

Any GI infection can cause your stool to float, because the gas that the virus, bacterium, or parasite creates causes the stool to float. Other GI infection examples include those caused by Escherichia coli and Salmonella.

Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-CAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational, and people should not consider it to be medical advice.

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Some GI disorders can cause stool to float.

The authors of a 2015 study found that 26% of people with functional bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, had floating stools.

Additionally, 3% of those with functional GI disorders, which are a group of disorders that affect movement in the digestive tract, had floating stools.

For some individuals, floating stool may be the first warning sign of a GI or bowel problem. When floating stool occurs alongside other symptoms, such as pain, diarrhea, bloating, or constipation, it may signal an underlying GI issue.

According to research from 2021, floating stools are a symptom of a malabsorption syndrome. The stool may also be greasy and large and smell foul.

Examples of malabsorption syndromes that can lead to floating stool are fat malabsorption and carbohydrate malabsorption.

Fat malabsorption is one of the most common syndromes and can lead to steatorrhea. This is an increase of fat in stool, causing it to float. Although floating stool may be a sign of steatorrhea, a 2017 article observes that stool sticking to the toilet bowl is a more specific sign.

Steatorrhea can also occur due to a variety of malabsorption conditions, including small intestine disorders and liver and biliary disease.

Disorders that affect the small intestine can cause steatorrhea. People who have had a portion of their small intestine surgically removed, such as to treat Crohn’s disease, may also experience steatorrhea.

The liver produces bile, which helps the body digest food. When little or no bile reaches the intestines, it may result in a fatty stool. A person may also lose weight or develop diarrhea. Liver disease, blocked bile ducts, and gallstones may cause a fatty stool.

Carbohydrate malabsorption also causes stool to float. It occurs when a person’s body is unable to absorb starch, lactose, and sucrose. Carbohydrates that the body does not absorb ferment in the colon, leading to acidic stool, bloating, and flatulence. This gas can become trapped in the stool, causing it to float.

One important cause of carbohydrate malabsorption is lactose intolerance, which is the inability to metabolize lactose properly. This occurs when an individual’s digestive system produces too little of an enzyme known as lactase. It is also the most common cause of malabsorption.

People with lactose intolerance may experience bloating and diarrhea when they consume milk, cheese, or other dairy products.

As a 2017 article explains, some conditions affecting the pancreas can lead to a fatty stool due to fat malabsorption. Malabsorption can occur when the pancreatic enzymes or bile does not travel in sufficient quantities to the small intestine.

The result is a fatty stool that may float or be difficult to flush. The stool may also be white or very pale. Additionally, a person may notice that they have very dark urine.

Floating stool can also occur as a result of pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis.

Pancreatic cancer causes stool that is greasy and light in color. A person may also experience itchy skin, poor appetite, and weight loss, among other symptoms.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It can lead to pain in the upper abdomen that may also spread to the back. Additionally, a person may experience:

• fever
• a fast heartbeat
• nausea
• vomiting
• a swollen abdomen

It is not possible to diagnose conditions affecting the pancreas based on a person’s symptoms alone. Pancreatic disorders are serious, so it is essential to get help and treatment as soon as possible.

Floating stools are not usually a cause for concern, as they can result from gas being trapped in the stool and from a high fiber diet. However, if the symptom persists, a person may wish to contact a doctor.

It is advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare professional if:

• a floating stool also looks very fatty or greasy, and the symptom persists
• a person experiences chronic constipation or diarrhea
• the stool is very light or pale
• a person begins losing weight unintentionally
• a person with an underlying medical condition develops changes in their bowel habits
• a person has very dark urine

If an individual suspects that they have pancreatitis, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if the following symptoms occur:

• pain that begins in the upper abdomen that:
  • begins slowly or suddenly
  • spreads to the back
  • is mild or severe
  • lasts for several days
• fever
• vomiting
• nausea
• a swollen abdomen
• a fast heartbeat

Stool is the body’s way of eliminating waste, and it typically reflects a person’s diet. Floating stool, changes in stool color, and other temporary changes in bowel habits are usually not a sign of a serious medical condition.

However, a person should contact a doctor if symptoms persist or get worse. A doctor can do a variety of tests to reach a diagnosis.

Read this article in Spanish.

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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Intestinal health is reflected in the characteristics of the stool. Stool can also reflect the health of other body organs such as the stomach, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. Stool characteristics that are used to determine the health of the intestines and other organs include stool consistency, frequency of bowel movements, and stool color and odor. In addition to these characteristics, feces can also be examined in a clinical laboratory to reveal more detailed information about the body’s health.

A feature of stool that can help distinguish health from illness is whether the stool floats or sinks. Under healthy conditions, stool sinks. Floating stools may indicate an underlying medical condition. However, this is not always the case. Not all cases of floating stool indicate an underlying medical condition. Other associated signs and symptoms must be taken into account before suggesting that disease may be present. If floating stools are not accompanied by any other symptoms, then there is usually no cause for immediate concern.

Why does the stool float?

Floating or sinking stool is determined by the density of the substance relative to the density of water. Stool floats when it is less dense than water. This is mainly due to the presence of gas or fat in the stool.

Feces are made up of various components. About 60-75% of stool composition is in the form of water. The remaining components of feces include undigested fiber (about 7.5%), intestinal bacteria (about 7.5%), inorganic components (up to 5%), fat (up to 5%), and a tiny fraction of protein (<1%). As can be seen from the composition, gases do not form any significant proportion of feces. Therefore, even a small increase in the proportion of gas in the stool is enough to reduce the density of the stool and cause it to float.

Floating stools may be caused by an underlying disorder when accompanied by other signs and symptoms. These associated signs and symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, changes in appetite, changes in stool texture, color, and odor.

Causes of floating stools

Gas in the intestines mainly comes from the action of bacteria in the colon. These colon bacteria produce gas as a by-product of their action on the food present in the intestine. Usually the population of these intestinal bacteria is controlled. However, under certain conditions, an increase in their number may occur. Alternatively, some conditions can cause incomplete digestion and absorption of food in the intestines. Both lead to excessive outgassing.

Gas in the stool also comes from the air that is swallowed while breathing, eating and drinking. Carbonated drinks are a source of gas in the intestines. The gas is also able to diffuse through the intestinal walls. It is released during the chemical breakdown process.

Diseases that cause floating feces are most often associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the common conditions that can lead to floating stools are:

Bowel infections

Intestinal infections, whether caused by external pathogenic bacteria or internal indigenous bacteria in the intestine, are the main source of gas in the intestine. As a rule, the growth of the local bacterial flora of the intestine is controlled. This is mainly achieved through the action of the intestinal immune system and competition with other microbial flora. Under abnormal conditions, an overgrowth of bacteria occurs. This results in increased gas production and floating stools.

Food intolerance

Food intolerance is caused by a lack of appropriate enzymes that metabolize certain food components. A common example is lactose intolerance, which is the result of a lack of the lactase enzyme. When a lactose intolerant person consumes milk and other dairy products, the lactose sugar in these products is not digested. Bacteria in the gut feed on undigested lactose sugar. This causes excessive gas production and floating stools.

Malabsorption syndromes

Malabsorption refers to conditions in which nutrients from digested food are not absorbed in the intestines. Intestinal gas production increases as colon bacteria attack food components remaining in the colon. Malabsorption can be caused by a variety of conditions such as intestinal inflammation, intestinal infections, sensitivities to certain foods, and alcoholism.

Diseases of the pancreas

The pancreas is an important player in the digestive process. Pancreatic enzymes enter the small intestine (duodenum) where they help in the digestion of various food components. Diseases that affect the pancreas can disrupt the synthesis and secretion of pancreatic enzymes. Without pancreatic enzymes, food in the intestines is not digested properly. Colon bacteria feed on undigested food and cause increased gas production. This excessive gas production contributes to the formation of floating stools.

Diseases of the gallbladder

The gallbladder secretes a fluid called bile into the intestines. Bile contains fatty emulsifiers that allow digestive enzymes to break down the fats present in food. When bile production or secretion is impaired (due to diseases such as gallbladder disease or surgical removal), fat is not digested properly. Colon bacteria feed on fat and increase in number. As a result, excessive gas production causes floating stools.

Short intestine

The entire length of the human intestine is involved in the digestion and absorption of various food components. When the length of the intestine shortens, it negatively affects digestion and absorption of food. As a result, more food is available for intestinal bacteria. Increased bacterial action leads to excessive gas production and floating stools. A short bowel may result from surgical removal of a portion of the bowel or from a congenital disease.

Other causes

In addition to the above causes, excessive gas production and floating stools can also be caused by diseases such as celiac disease and cystic fibrosis. Normal conditions, such as pregnancy and dietary changes (such as fasting and eating new foods), also often trigger floating stools.

For those who are interested: medical bed with pneumatic drive

Source: https://www. me-d.ru

How can our faeces help in early diagnosis?

We all poop, and even princesses don’t do it with violets. We’ll tell you what to pay attention to!

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Health

Health problems

What do these symptoms mean?

For some, the process of defecation is uncomfortable and unpleasant, associated with pain or shame. For others, it’s just part of the “cycle of life.” Babies inevitably go through the exciting process of getting to know the contents of their diapers.

In our culture, going to the bathroom “big” is almost never discussed publicly. But there is no need to be ashamed of this process – we all sit on a faience throne from time to time. Shameful inattention can even be harmful – our feces can “tell” about what is happening in the body and how it can be helped.

What is feces made of?

Mainly from undigested food, proteins, bacteria, minerals and other substances passing through the intestines. Every person is unique when it comes to feces, but there are a few common signs in shape, size, and odor that may indicate an unhealthy or unhealthy gastrointestinal tract.

What should be a normal stool?

Healthy feces can be as varied and unique as the people who produced them. But there are several general criteria by which you can evaluate the results of your digestive creativity:

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Color

The natural color for faeces is brown. Bilirubin is responsible for it – a pigment compound formed during the breakdown of red blood cells in the body.

Shape

We’re not cube-pooping wombats, so our bowels assume the more traditional, familiar shapes of feces—a log or a sausage. However, as we will learn later, various other options are possible that indicate problems.

Size

Feces should not come out in small “goat” balls (we will also talk about this later). The “standard” length is 5-6 centimeters, which is due to the ease of passage of feces through the intestines.

Consistency

Here the normal range is quite wide – normal feces can be both harder and softer. Deviations in one direction or another may indicate problems with digestion or an imbalance of fiber in the diet.

Duration of the process

If a person sits in the toilet for a long time, we believe that he is most likely pooping (or perhaps trying to hide from mumbling children for at least ten minutes). But for a healthy body, the process of defecation takes no longer than a couple of minutes. Therefore, if you spend more time in the toilet, this is an occasion to think about it.

What is the shape of feces and what does it indicate?

1. Goat balls

Hard small lumps that come out with difficulty usually indicate constipation. The frequent appearance of such a consistency is a reason to reconsider your diet.

2. Fat Caterpillar

Feces may be sausage-shaped but hard and lumpy in texture. This is also a sign of constipation.

3. “Sausage”

Faeces not too hard, not too soft, with small cracks on the surface. Gold standard, well done! Continue in the same spirit.

4. “Snake”

Feces are soft, smooth and long, shaped like a snake. In general, this is a variant of the norm.

5. Jellyfish

Feces are small in size, like goat balls, but have a soft texture and a fairly distinct shape. Usually such feces indicate a lack of fiber in the diet, so it is worth sticking to vegetables and cereals.

6. “Vegetable puree”

Feces are airy and soft, with jagged edges. This type of stool is closer to diarrhea, so drink plenty of fluids.

7. “Blotography”

Feces are completely liquid, there are few or no solid particles at all. This is diarrhea, or, as the people say, diarrhea. Feces passed through the intestines too quickly and did not have time to form.

What can stool color indicate?

How important is color when it comes to poop? It turns out yes. It helps to understand what is happening inside the body.

The normal color of feces, as we have already said, are shades of brown. A small greenery is also not terrible and may not be a sign of a problem. The following colors of feces should attract your attention:

Black

Who among us has not observed black feces with mild horror after taking a blister of activated charcoal? Surely there are such people, but there are hardly too many of them in the Russian expanses. Other “safe” causes of black feces can be iron supplements, bismuth preparations, hematogen, and even licorice.

But if you haven’t used anything like this, immediately go to the doctor – the black color of the feces can be caused by digested blood, which means that somewhere in the upper gastrointestinal tract there is bleeding.

Green

Small greens, as we have already mentioned, are not terrible.

But if the stool is more green than brown, then you may have one of two reasons: either you eat too many greens, or the stool passes through the intestines too quickly. In the latter case, bilirubin simply does not have time to color the stool in the usual brown color.

Pale, whitish or clay-colored

A color that is too light may indicate a lack of bile. We need it for healthy digestion and is normally produced by the liver and gallbladder. If the stool is too light, you may have a clogged bile duct, so don’t put off going to the doctor.

Pale stools can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Red

Yes, it’s blood. Perhaps problems with hemorrhoids, possibly bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract (as we already know, the higher the source of bleeding, the more time the blood has to digest).

Well, or you ate beets. Or cranberries. Or tomatoes.

Yellow

Greasy, foul-smelling yellow feces may indicate too much fat that has not been digested. It may also be associated with malabsorption of nutrients (for example, celiac disease).

Is it true that feces do not sink, as in the well-known proverb?

Normally, feces should just sink. They begin to swim when the density decreases, which happens due to an increase in the amount of water or gases in the composition.

Another cause may be malabsorption, the malabsorption of nutrients in the small intestine. In this case, the “big swim” may be accompanied by mild constipation.

When can we talk about constipation?

It turns out that constipation is not only a situation of long “sessions in parliament”. From a medical point of view, you can talk about constipation if you have a bowel movement less than three times a week!

There can be many reasons: from a nervous breakdown to problems with the nerves in the pelvic area, from diabetes to pregnancy. We humans are gentle creatures, and a huge number of factors affect our digestion. Many animals “from nerves” also stop pooping first. Take the same cats – after moving or strong excitement, the poor animal may not go to the pot for 3-4 days.

But back to homo sapiens. If you suffer from constipation, try drinking more water and eating vegetables, fruits, and legumes. And don’t forget to move – at least walk. There is a good chance that the problem will be solved.

A not very physiological posture can make defecation difficult. Why this happens can be clearly seen in the extremely ironic commercial with the prince and the unicorn.

When should I see a doctor?

If stool problems persist for more than a couple of days, you should consult a doctor. Green stool or a strange shape happens to everyone from time to time, but recurrence is a sign of a problem.

Chronic constipation can cause bowel obstruction, and chronic diarrhea can make it difficult to absorb essential nutrients and lead to severe dehydration.