Is floating poop a cause for concern. What does the color and consistency of your stool indicate about your health. When should you consult a doctor about changes in your bowel movements. How often should a healthy person have bowel movements.

The Significance of Floating Stools: More Than Just Bathroom Humor

Many people pay close attention to their bowel movements, often wondering whether floating poop is normal or a cause for concern. While it may seem like an unusual topic, the characteristics of your stool can provide valuable insights into your overall health and digestive function.

Floating stools have gained attention in recent years, partly due to a viral video by Randy Pausch titled “Last Lecture,” which touched on the potential connection between floating poop and pancreatic cancer. This has led to increased interest and concern among the general public about the implications of buoyant bowel movements.

Potential Causes of Floating Poop: From Benign to Concerning

There are several reasons why your stool might float instead of sink. Understanding these causes can help you determine whether you should be concerned about changes in your bowel movements:

• Excess gas in the stool
• High-fiber diet
• Malabsorption of nutrients
• Celiac disease
• Pancreatic issues
• Changes in diet or medication

In many cases, floating poop is not a cause for alarm. However, if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it may warrant further investigation.

The Pancreatic Cancer Connection: Should You Be Worried?

A report in the DailyMail.com on November 17, 2022, suggested that floating poop may be an early warning sign of pancreatic cancer. The article explained that tumors in the pancreas can block the organ’s ducts, preventing the release of enzymes and bile that break down fatty foods. This can result in greasy, floating stools.

While this connection is concerning, it’s important to note that floating poop alone is not a definitive indicator of pancreatic cancer. Many other factors can contribute to buoyant stools, and most cases are not related to serious health conditions.

Celiac Disease: A Hidden Culprit Behind Floating Stools

Celiac disease is another potential cause of floating poop that often goes undiagnosed. This autoimmune disorder affects the digestive system’s ability to process gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. As a result, people with celiac disease may experience malabsorption of nutrients, leading to fatty, floating stools.

Symptoms of celiac disease can include:

• Digestive distress (bloating, abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea)
• Fatty, floating stools that are tan or light gray in color
• Anemia and fatigue
• Joint pain and arthritis
• Neuropathy (nerve pain, burning, tingling, numbness)
• Skin rashes
• Osteoporosis
• Depression and brain fog
• Infertility

If you consistently experience floating stools along with any of these symptoms, it may be worth discussing celiac disease testing with your healthcare provider.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Floating Poop

While occasional floating stools are generally not a cause for concern, certain signs and symptoms warrant medical attention:

• Persistent floating stools (lasting more than a few weeks)
• Light-colored or whitish stools
• Greasy or particularly foul-smelling stools
• Abdominal discomfort or pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dark urine
• Swelling or redness in a leg (potentially indicating a blood clot)

If you experience any combination of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out underlying health issues.

Decoding Your Stool: What Your Poop Reveals About Your Health

Beyond whether it floats or sinks, your stool can provide valuable information about your digestive health and overall well-being. Paying attention to the following characteristics can help you identify potential issues:

Color

The color of your stool can indicate various health conditions:

• Brown: Normal and healthy
• Green: May indicate a diet rich in green vegetables or the use of iron supplements
• Yellow: Potential sign of malabsorption or celiac disease
• Black: Could indicate bleeding in the upper digestive tract (or the use of certain medications)
• Red: May suggest bleeding in the lower digestive tract
• White or clay-colored: Possible indication of bile duct obstruction

Consistency

The Bristol Stool Chart is a useful tool for assessing stool consistency:

1. Type 1: Separate hard lumps (severe constipation)
2. Type 2: Lumpy and sausage-like (mild constipation)
3. Type 3: Sausage-shaped with cracks on the surface (normal)
4. Type 4: Smooth, soft sausage or snake-like (ideal)
5. Type 5: Soft blobs with clear-cut edges (lacking fiber)
6. Type 6: Mushy consistency with ragged edges (mild diarrhea)
7. Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces (severe diarrhea)

Frequency

Contrary to popular belief, there is no “normal” frequency for bowel movements. Gastroenterologist Karen Kroeker explains that anywhere from three times a day to every three days can be considered normal, as long as it’s consistent for the individual and doesn’t cause discomfort.

Lifestyle Factors Affecting Stool Characteristics

Various lifestyle factors can influence the appearance and behavior of your stool:

• Diet: High-fiber diets can lead to more frequent, bulkier stools that may be more likely to float
• Hydration: Adequate water intake helps maintain proper stool consistency
• Exercise: Regular physical activity promotes healthy bowel function
• Stress: Psychological stress can affect digestive processes and stool characteristics
• Medications: Certain drugs can alter stool color, consistency, and frequency

Promoting Healthy Bowel Movements: Tips and Tricks

To maintain optimal digestive health and reduce the likelihood of problematic stools, consider the following recommendations:

• Consume a balanced diet rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Engage in regular physical activity to stimulate bowel function
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or mindfulness practices
• Avoid holding in bowel movements when the urge arises
• Consider using a squatting position or a toilet stool to improve bowel evacuation
• Limit consumption of processed foods and excessive amounts of fat

The Role of Gut Microbiome in Stool Health

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in digestive health and can influence stool characteristics. A diverse and balanced gut microbiome contributes to:

• Proper nutrient absorption
• Regulation of bowel movements
• Protection against harmful pathogens
• Synthesis of essential vitamins
• Modulation of the immune system

To support a healthy gut microbiome, consider incorporating probiotic-rich foods into your diet, such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. Additionally, consuming a variety of plant-based foods can provide prebiotics, which serve as fuel for beneficial gut bacteria.

Can probiotics help with floating stools?

While there is no direct evidence that probiotics can prevent floating stools, they may help improve overall digestive health. Probiotics can aid in nutrient absorption, reduce inflammation in the gut, and promote regular bowel movements. If floating stools are caused by malabsorption or digestive issues, probiotics might indirectly help by improving gut function.

Diagnostic Tests for Persistent Floating Stools

If you’re concerned about persistent floating stools, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

• Stool analysis: Examines the composition of your stool for signs of infection, inflammation, or malabsorption
• Blood tests: Can detect markers of celiac disease, pancreatic function, or other digestive disorders
• Imaging studies: Such as CT scans or MRIs to evaluate the pancreas and other abdominal organs
• Endoscopy or colonoscopy: To visually examine the digestive tract for abnormalities
• Breath tests: To diagnose conditions like lactose intolerance or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

These tests can help identify underlying causes of persistent floating stools and guide appropriate treatment strategies.

Are there home tests available for diagnosing the cause of floating stools?

While some home test kits are available for detecting certain digestive issues, they are not as comprehensive or reliable as tests performed by healthcare professionals. If you’re concerned about persistent floating stools, it’s best to consult with a doctor who can recommend appropriate diagnostic tests based on your individual symptoms and medical history.

Treatment Options for Underlying Causes of Floating Stools

The treatment for floating stools depends on the underlying cause. Some potential interventions include:

• Dietary modifications: Adjusting fiber intake or eliminating problematic foods
• Enzyme supplements: To aid in the digestion of fats and other nutrients
• Medications: To address specific digestive disorders or infections
• Gluten-free diet: For those diagnosed with celiac disease
• Stress management techniques: To reduce the impact of stress on digestive function
• Probiotic supplements: To support a healthy gut microbiome

It’s important to work closely with a healthcare provider to develop an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and underlying condition.

The Psychological Impact of Bowel Changes

Changes in bowel habits, including persistent floating stools, can have a significant psychological impact on individuals. Some people may experience:

• Anxiety about potential health issues
• Embarrassment or social discomfort
• Obsessive monitoring of bowel movements
• Reduced quality of life due to digestive symptoms

If concerns about your bowel movements are causing significant distress or interfering with your daily life, it may be helpful to speak with a mental health professional in addition to addressing any underlying physical health issues.

How can I manage anxiety related to changes in my bowel movements?

To manage anxiety related to bowel changes, consider the following strategies:

• Educate yourself about normal bowel function and common variations
• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation
• Maintain open communication with your healthcare provider
• Focus on overall health and well-being rather than fixating on specific symptoms
• Consider cognitive-behavioral therapy to address health-related anxiety

The Future of Digestive Health Research

As our understanding of digestive health continues to evolve, researchers are exploring new avenues for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Some promising areas of research include:

• Microbiome-based therapies
• Personalized nutrition based on genetic and microbial profiles
• Advanced imaging techniques for early detection of digestive cancers
• Novel biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring digestive disorders
• Targeted therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases

These advancements may lead to more effective treatments and better outcomes for individuals experiencing digestive health issues, including those with persistent floating stools.

What role might artificial intelligence play in diagnosing digestive disorders?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and management of digestive disorders. Some potential applications of AI in gastroenterology include:

• Analysis of endoscopic images to detect abnormalities
• Prediction of treatment outcomes based on patient data
• Personalized risk assessment for digestive cancers
• Optimization of treatment protocols for various gastrointestinal conditions
• Analysis of gut microbiome data to inform personalized interventions

While these applications are still in development, they hold promise for improving the accuracy and efficiency of digestive health care in the future.

Is Floating Poop A Problem?

This is a truth test! Do you ever check to see whether your stool sinks or floats? Be honest now. It never fails to amaze us how many people pay close attention to what ends up in the toilet bowl. People seem especially concerned about floating poop. That may be in part because of a viral video by Randy Pausch titled “Last Lecture.” Please take some time to watch this poignant story about pancreatic cancer. The reason this video is so relevant is because it refers to floating poop and pancreatic cancer.

News in the Daily Mail.com:

On November 17, 2022, the DailyMail.com reported that “Floating Poo may be an early warning sign of pancreatic cancer.”

Here is the rest of the story:

“Although it sounds like a strange connection, tumours in the pancreas can block the organ’s ducts — stopping the thorough release of enzymes and bile that break down fatty foods.

“Without this internal reaction, poo can end up being greasy and float. ”

A Reader Became Worried Because of Floating Poop:

This reader shared a concern because of something she saw on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Q. I was watching Oprah and heard a doctor on her show say that poop should NEVER float. Why?
I have not changed my diet at all, but all of a sudden about two months ago, every time I have a bowel movement, my poop floats.

Is there something wrong with my system? I feel fine and have no pain or anything unusual.

A. Health professionals have been debating the causes of “floaters” vs “sinkers” for decades. Some believe floating is caused by excess fat in the stool as a consequence of digestive disease. Others maintain that gas is the culprit.

If your floating poop is light colored or whitish, greasy or smelly, check with a physician. Other symptoms may include abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, swelling or redness in a leg due to a blood clot, dark urine and weight loss. Such a constellation of symptoms requires prompt medical attention.

Celiac Disease?

Another possible cause of floating poop is celiac disease. This is a somewhat mysterious condition that affects a lot more people than most doctors think. It frequently goes undiagnosed. One of the world’s leading experts estimates that over 90 percent of people with celiac are not diagnosed.

Because people with celiac disease cannot digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, they have trouble absorbing nutrients from food. Because fat may not be well absorbed from the digestive tract, people with celiac disease may end up with floating stools. The poop can be light grey or tan in color and have an unpleasant odor. People who always have “floaters” might want to ask a doctor for a blood test to check for celiac disease.

Other symptoms of celiac disease include:

• Digestive distress: bloating, abdominal pain & cramps, diarrhea
• Fatty floating stools; tan or light gray in color; gas
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Arthritis or joint pain
• Neuropathy (nerve pain: burning, tingling, numbness)
• Muscle cramps
• Skin rash (that can be intensely itchy at times)
• Osteoporosis
• Neuropathy (tingling or burning feeling in feet or legs)
• Depression and/or brain fog
• Irritability
• Mouth sores
• Lactose intolerance (reaction to milk sugar)
• Muscle weakness
• Infertility
• Easy bruising

To learn more about the kinds of tests to seek for celiac disease, you may wish to listen to our one-hour podcast with Joseph A. Murray, MD. He is a gastroenterologist in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He is also Professor of Medicine there, and runs the celiac disease research program. It focuses on epidemiology and complications of celiac disease and mouse models of gluten sensitivity.

Since you have only recently noticed floating poop, you may not need to worry about this problem. If you feel well and have no diarrhea or other symptoms, it probably makes little difference. If it persists, tell your doctor about your floating poop at your next visit so she can rule out anything serious such as celiac disease or pancreas problems.

What Can Your Poop Reveal About Your Health?

Image, iStockphoto.

Once the potty-training stage of life is over, most people don’t think twice about pooping. But it at times, it’s worth pondering: Your, ahem, leftovers can offer valuable insight into what’s happening with your digestive health. “It’s something that most of us don’t want to talk about,” says Vancouver-based registered dietitian Desiree Nielsen, “but we really should be paying attention to our bathroom habits. ”

Here’s what you should be looking for:

How often should you poop?

First, the good news: People often judge their digestive health based on how many times they poop a week, but that’s a mistake, says Karen Kroeker, a gastroenterologist and the program director of gastroenterology at the University of Alberta. Anywhere from three times a day to every three days is normal — though if your frequency changes, it might be a sign that you’re constipated or have diarrhea.

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What does healthy poop look like?

The most important thing to look at is form. If your poop is very hard or pellet-like, you’re probably constipated. Constipation is common, because the average North American diet is lacking in fibre: It’s recommended that people get 25 to 30 grams of fibre a day, but most only get 6 to 8 grams. (To increase your fibre intake, look for whole-grain products, consider eating a high-fibre cereal in the mornings, aim for seven servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and incorporate legumes, nuts and seeds into your diet. )

Not drinking enough water or getting enough exercise are two other common culprits. Chronic constipation is linked to everything from hemorrhoids to blood sugar spikes to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. It’s often also very uncomfortable. “I have people who are severely constipated, and after two or three months of focusing on getting the bowels moving properly, they’re like, ‘Wow, I have so much energy. I feel so much better,’” says Nielsen.

On the other side of the spectrum is diarrhea, which often looks like loose, watery stools. It comes in two forms. The first is acute, and resolves on its own within two weeks. It usually isn’t a problem unless you also have other symptoms like fatigue or a fever, in which case you should consult your doctor. Chronic diarrhea is more serious, especially if it’s accompanied by weight loss or blood, which can be a sign of autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s, celiac disease, or microscopic colitis. Diarrhea that doesn’t go away also might be C. difficile — a superbug that’s becoming more common and is characterized by chronic diarrhea that people often get after taking antibiotics.

What if my poop smells bad?

It turns out that some people’s shit really doesn’t stink. Or at least it stinks less. “Some people have smellier poops — it’s just part of their natural makeup,” says Nielsen. But if you’re catching a whiff that’s out-of-the-ordinarily foul, several things could be to blame. One is eating a lot of foods that contain sulphur, like broccoli, cauliflower, eggs or meat. If your diet hasn’t changed, you might want to see a doctor, because the smell could be a sign that your body hasn’t been able to properly break down what’s in your body, due to issues like diarrhea, IBS, or Crohn’s or celiac disease.

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What is a healthy colour for poop?

Don’t worry too much about the shade of your poop — all kinds of brown are fine, says Kroeker. Colour changes, though, are worth thinking about. Some are harmless and diet-related: beets can turn your poop red-ish, and Pepto Bismol or iron supplements can make it black. But others are worth seeing a doctor about. The biggest red flag is seeing red — from blood, says Kroeker. “It can be something quite benign like hemorrhoids, or go all the way up to colitis or cancer.” Black can also be a sign of bleeding, usually from your upper GI tract. Green poop can be a symptom of diarrhea, and yellow may be a sign that your body is having trouble processing fat. If your poop is grey, it might be even more serious, from liver disease or cancer.

Should poop float?

Some poops float, and some don’t. For the most part, it’s not worth stressing about, because it’s probably due to what you ate. “If you have very floaty poops, you’re probably eating a lot of gas-producing foods, like beans or cabbage,” explains Nielsen. In that case, the poop is floating because it’s full of trapped, unprocessed gas. But it can also float because it has too much fat in it. “If your stool floats, you should look to see if you have oil droplets on the water,” says Kroeker. That’s a sign that your body isn’t breaking down fat correctly, and it might be related to a problem with your pancreas or gallbladder, or a chronic disease like celiac.

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Russians swim in shit: a_nikonov — LiveJournal

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Categories:

• catIsShown({ humanName: ‘россия’ })” data-human-name=”россия”> Russia
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Imagine themselves, patriotic Russians come, taking off their tunic and putting on a Soviet still T-shirt, on their legal vacation – to the Russian south, as they should. And what do they see?
Putinism in all its glory!
Brown, as it should be, Putinism.
“In the resort town of Gelendzhik, all city beaches were closed for swimming. The sewerage broke through, and as a result, sewage poured into the Black Sea.
Vacationers came to the beach at eight in the morning, but they were not allowed to go to the water by the police and Cossacks on duty near the coast. People complain that there is an unpleasant smell near the water. “We were told that there was a break in the central sewer, and sewage is pouring into the sea. Because of this, swimming is prohibited,” commentators write on social networks.0020 …due to the liquidation of the consequences of the accident, the water was turned off in some areas of the city…
People are outraged by what is happening, some lament that their vacation was ruined. “And who will return the money for the vacation? If you can’t swim in the sea now !!!!!”, “People bought vouchers, spent their money … in order to swim in shit? Or just walk along the shore and breathe in the stench?”, “Go to Gelendzhik — bathe in the toilet,” write in social networks. Although many accepted the situation and said that there was nothing unusual in what was happening: “Did you just find out about this?)))”, “It has always been like this. You didn’t think that g…..evaporates? Nothing of the kind, everything is in the sea, and people swim in it and will continue to swim in it.

I was led to this news by one of the commenters:
“Alexander Petrovich! I suggest you make a post about Gelendzhik. The main sewerage broke through there. In Gelendzhik, the thieves’ authorities give permission to build entire areas of houses with 10 floors, but the infrastructure for such areas undeveloped. “Elite” houses are being built, but without hot water, etc…
All city beaches were completely closed. Water was turned off in half of the city. But the authorities decided to hide this fact. Only local websites and the “5” channel wrote about this news. The main news sites (lenta, newspaper, rbk, 1st channel and Russia) were hidden…”

Hidden, I think, so that more Russian patriots and Crimeanashists would swim in the shit.

And if you think this is an accident, then no – the annual story. Here are the “news” of 2016:
“This year, almost all along the coast, poop is floating in sea water… People complain that even in the capital of the Winter Olympics, human excrement was found on the beach. .. in no case do not swallow the water yourself “Do not allow children to dive near the shore. If you know how to swim, it is better to swim to a depth where the concentration of feces should be at least a little lower.”

“A few days ago, on June 10, there was an accident in the sewerage system in the area of ​​Feodosiya. The incident happened on the Embankment of Desantnikov, near the cafe “Moryachka” – there was a rupture of the sewer. swimming is limited on two city beaches.
Meanwhile, according to epidemiologists, the quality of sea water in Feodosia meets the norm. Well, don’t stop the swimming season after all!..”

figurative shit. A living personification of the Russian south. Pearl of the Russian Sea, Sochi city:

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• Life is everywhere!

  And on my main site, where people are cured of diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis (not to mention joint problems), it is also in full swing!

• Prigozhin’s rebellion.

  Results

  Now everyone is cock-sucking Prigozhin, who disappeared from sight, it is not known where he will emerge, and nothing has appeared on his channel “Prigozhin’s Cap” since …

• By the way, my friend Vitya Fridman faced such things

  “I looked around the whole car just in case, looked between the seats, in the cup holders, in the glove compartment, looked at all my belongings, pockets, even…

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Hint pic/000r1edq

• Life is everywhere!

  And on my main site, where people are cured of diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis (not to mention joint problems), it is also in full swing!

• Prigozhin’s rebellion. Results

  Now everyone is cock sucking Prigozhin, who has disappeared from sight, it is not known where he will emerge, and nothing has appeared on his channel “Prigozhin’s Cap” since …

• just in case, she looked around the whole car, looked between the seats, in the cup holders, in the glove box, looked at all her things, pockets, even .

  ..0001

  I lost all my perfume because of my compassionate child. The daughter thought that the fish in the aquarium smelled bad, so she decided to dilute the atmosphere with them.

  Somehow from my youth I used to use only perfumes that do not contain puffs. I am very careful about smells, and pshikalki, it seems to me, give out too much perfume, and the aroma is too strong.

  I have five bottles on my shelf at home that I use. Of course, the daughter was aware of what it was and why, she smeared it more than once, but she asked my permission.

  She asked this time too, but I didn’t suspect anything. She asked if she could take my perfume, I figured she just wanted to get smeared, so she let me.

  Everything was fine until I went into my daughter’s room, where we have an aquarium. Previously, he stood in the hall, but the daughter was used to falling asleep, watching the fish swim in the backlight, so we decided to drag him to her daughter’s room.

  We did it a week ago. Before we set up an aquarium with our daughter, my husband and I carried out scheduled maintenance. They got the fish, washed everything, put it back, poured water, let the fish in.

  Around the same time, the question came to my daughter’s mind, how and where the fish go to the toilet. I said that they go to the aquarium.

  – Fu! Are they swimming among their poop?! – the child grimaced.

  From that day on, she insisted that the water in the aquarium should be changed every day so that the poor fish swim in fresh water. We explained that the fish are already fine, so there is no need.

  And this question is about perfume. I didn’t connect it with the aquarium in any way, it didn’t even occur to me that it could be, because I couldn’t think of such a thing.

  When I entered my daughter’s room, I saw her intently shaking perfume into the aquarium. I ran up, intercepted her hand, but could no longer save anything. The daughter has already poured out all the perfume.

  There was a smell in the room, even if you endure saints. I had to open windows in the whole apartment, urgently catch fish, because such aromatherapy would obviously not benefit them, so my daughter decided to scold me later.

  While I was doing the aquarium, my daughter, who realized that she had done something wrong, burst into tears on the couch, although I had not even scolded her yet.

  The fish didn’t seem to die, I washed everything, put the aquarium back, and went to talk to my daughter. I was very interested in what kind of act of sabotage it was.

  Daughter, smearing snot and tears, began to tell how she felt sorry for the fish swimming among her own poop, then the daughter thought that the smell was probably terrible there, and in order to somehow brighten up the everyday life of the fish, she decided to pour it into the aquarium my spirits.

  At first, one, but she did not smell the effect, then the second, and then it was already decided that you would not spoil the porridge with oil, that is, she poured all the perfume into the aquarium.