What are the causes of chronic pancreatitis? What are the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis? How is chronic pancreatitis treated?

Understanding Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is an ongoing inflammation of the pancreas that does not improve over time. The pancreas is an important organ located behind the stomach, responsible for producing enzymes that aid in digestion and hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. Chronic pancreatitis can lead to permanent scarring and damage to the pancreas, including the development of calcium stones and cysts that may block the duct that carries digestive enzymes and juices to the stomach. This can result in reduced levels of pancreatic enzymes and hormones, making it harder for the body to digest food and regulate blood sugar, potentially leading to serious health problems like malnutrition and diabetes.

Causes of Chronic Pancreatitis

The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is long-term alcohol abuse, accounting for approximately 70% of cases. Other possible causes include:

• Autoimmune disease, where the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues
• Inflammatory bowel syndrome or primary biliary cholangitis (a chronic liver disease)
• A narrow pancreatic duct (the tube that carries enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine)
• Blockage of the pancreatic duct by gallstones or pancreatic stones
• Cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease that causes mucus buildup in the lungs
• Genetic factors
• High blood levels of calcium (hypercalcemia) or triglyceride fats (hypertriglyceridemia)

Smoking is also believed to increase the risk of pancreatitis among those with a history of alcohol abuse. Chronic pancreatitis is more common in individuals between the ages of 30 and 40 and is more prevalent in men than women.

Symptoms of Chronic Pancreatitis

In the early stages, chronic pancreatitis may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses, common symptoms can include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Diarrhea
• Fatty, pale, and difficult-to-flush stools
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Excessive thirst and fatigue

More severe symptoms may develop as the disease advances, such as the presence of pancreatic fluids in the abdomen, jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin), internal bleeding, and intestinal blockage. Painful episodes can last for hours or even days, and some individuals find that eating or drinking can worsen their pain.

Diagnosing Chronic Pancreatitis

During the early stages of chronic pancreatitis, changes in the pancreas are often difficult to detect through blood tests, which is why they are typically not used to diagnose the condition. However, blood tests may be used to determine the levels of pancreatic enzymes and to check blood cell counts, as well as kidney and liver function. Doctors may also request a stool sample to test for high levels of fat, which could indicate that the body is not properly absorbing nutrients.

Imaging tests are the most reliable way for doctors to diagnose chronic pancreatitis. These may include X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI scans of the abdomen to look for signs of inflammation. Endoscopic ultrasound, where a long, flexible tube containing an ultrasound probe is inserted into the mouth and down through the stomach and small intestine, can also provide detailed images of the pancreas.

Treating Chronic Pancreatitis

The primary treatment for chronic pancreatitis is to address the underlying cause. For those with a history of alcohol abuse, abstaining from alcohol is essential to prevent further damage to the pancreas. Pain management is also a crucial component of treatment, and may involve the use of medications or, in some cases, surgery to remove damaged portions of the pancreas.

In cases where the pancreas has been severely damaged, enzyme replacement therapy may be necessary to aid in digestion. Additionally, patients with chronic pancreatitis may require supplemental insulin or other medications to manage diabetes or other complications that arise from the condition.

Preventing Chronic Pancreatitis

The best way to prevent chronic pancreatitis is to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and to manage any underlying health conditions that may contribute to the development of the disease, such as autoimmune disorders or genetic factors. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can also help reduce the risk of chronic pancreatitis.

Conclusion

Chronic pancreatitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt medical attention. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatments, individuals can take steps to manage the condition and prevent further complications. If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of chronic pancreatitis, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

Chronic Pancreatitis: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Chronic pancreatitis can occur due to autoimmune disease, long-term alcohol misuse, and other health conditions. It can cause painful symptoms and affect your digestion.

Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammation of your pancreas that doesn’t improve over time.

The pancreas is an organ located behind your stomach. It makes enzymes, which are special proteins that help digest your food. It also makes hormones that control the level of sugar in your bloodstream.

Pancreatitis occurs when your pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatitis is considered acute when the inflammation comes on suddenly and only lasts for a short period of time. It’s considered chronic when it keeps coming back or when the inflammation doesn’t heal for months or years.

Chronic pancreatitis can lead to permanent scarring and damage. Calcium stones and cysts may develop in your pancreas, which can block the duct, or tube, that carries digestive enzymes and juices to your stomach. The blockage may lower the levels of pancreatic enzymes and hormones, which will make it harder for your body to digest food and regulate your blood sugar. This can cause serious health problems, including malnutrition and diabetes.

There are numerous different causes of chronic pancreatitis. The most common cause is long-term alcohol abuse. Approximately 70 percent of cases are linked to alcohol consumption.

Autoimmune disease occurs when your body mistakenly attacks your healthy cells and tissues. Inflammatory bowel syndrome, which is inflammation of the digestive tract, and primary biliary cholangitis, which is a chronic liver disease associated with chronic pancreatitis.

Other causes include:

• autoimmune disease, which occurs when your body mistakenly attacks your healthy cells and tissues
• a narrow pancreatic duct, which is the tube that carries enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine
• a blockage of the pancreatic duct by either gallstones or pancreatic stones
• cystic fibrosis, which is a hereditary disease that causes mucus to build up in your lungs
• genetics
• high blood levels of calcium, which is called hypercalcemia
• a high level of triglyceride fats in your blood, which is called hypertriglyceridemia

Abusing alcohol increases your risk of developing chronic pancreatitis. Smoking is believed to increase the risk of pancreatitis among alcoholics. In some cases, a family history of chronic pancreatitis can increase your risk.

Chronic pancreatitis most frequently develops in people between the ages of 30 and 40. The condition is also more common among men than women.

Children living in tropical regions of Asia and Africa may be at risk for developing tropical pancreatitis, which is another type of chronic pancreatitis. The exact cause of tropical pancreatitis is unknown, but it may be related to malnutrition.

At first, you may not notice any symptoms. Changes in your pancreas can become quite advanced before you begin to feel unwell. When symptoms occur, they may include:

• pain in your upper abdomen
• diarrhea
• fatty stools, which are loose, pale, and don’t flush away easily
• nausea and vomiting
• shortness of breath
• unexplained weight loss
• excessive thirst and fatigue

You may experience more severe symptoms as the disease progresses, such as:

• pancreatic fluids in your abdomen
• jaundice, which is characterized by a yellowish discoloration in your eyes and skin
• internal bleeding
• intestinal blockage

Painful episodes can last for hours or even days. Some people find that eating or drinking can make their pain worse. As the disease progresses, the pain may become constant.

During the early stages of chronic pancreatitis, changes in your pancreas are difficult to see in blood tests. For this reason, blood tests typically aren’t used to diagnose the disease. However, they may be used to determine the amount of pancreatic enzymes in your blood. Blood tests may also be used to check blood cell counts along with kidney and liver function. Your doctor might ask you for a stool sample to test for levels of fat. Fatty stools could be a sign that your body isn’t absorbing nutrients correctly.

Imaging tests are the most reliable way for your doctor to make a diagnosis. Your doctor might request that the following studies be done on your abdomen to look for signs of inflammation:

• X-rays
• ultrasounds
• CT scans
• MRI scans

Your doctor may also recommend an endoscopic ultrasound. During an endoscopic ultrasound, your doctor inserts a long, flexible tube into your mouth and down through the stomach and small intestine. The tube contains an ultrasound probe, which emits sound waves that create detailed images of your pancreas.

Chronic pancreatitis has the potential to cause numerous complications. You’re at greater risk of developing complications if you continue to drink alcohol after you’ve been diagnosed.

Nutrient malabsorption is one of the most common complications. Since your pancreas isn’t producing enough digestive enzymes, your body isn’t absorbing nutrients properly. This can lead to malnutrition.

The development of diabetes is another possible complication. Pancreatitis damages the cells that produce insulin and glucagon, which are the hormones that control the amount of sugar in your blood. This can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. About 45 percent of people with chronic pancreatitis will get diabetes.

Some people will also develop pseudocysts, which are fluid-filled growths that can form inside or outside of your pancreas. Pseudocysts are dangerous because they can block important ducts and blood vessels. They may become infected in some cases.

The outlook depends on the severity and underlying cause of the disease. Other factors can affect your chances of recovery, including your age at diagnosis and whether you continue to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the outlook. Call your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of pancreatitis.

Why Does My Poop Smell So Bad? 9 Reasons for Stinky Stool

Look, we all know that poop is not supposed to smell good. But if the stench of your stool suddenly becomes so out-of-this-world, you may wonder, “Why does my poop smell so bad?” A stench that overpowers what’s already considered pungent must signal something is wrong, right? Not exactly.

“The way poop smells can indicate a wide variety of things,” Christine Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. Most of the time, a foul scent alone isn’t indicative of anything worrisome. But if there is a change in the smell of your number two that coincides with other potentially concerning symptoms like diarrhea, fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss, it could signal something more serious, Dr. Lee says.

Below is everything you need to know about what can change the smell of your poop, and when a wince-worthy sniff may signal something is off.

What causes foul-smelling poop? | Should I worry about having a parasite in my poop? |  How do I stop my poop from smelling? | When should I go to the doctor?

Becoming acquainted with the scent of your poop sounds less than appealing, but establishing what’s abnormal from your baseline can help determine when your bowel movements are especially rancid, Dr. Lee says. Here are some of the main causes of particularly bad-smelling poop:

1. Sulfur-rich foods

“The first thing you might want to do is think back to what you ate,” Dr. Lee says. “Whether it was eggs, Brussels sprouts, or tuna fish, those kinds of things can change the smell of the stool.” Foods high in sulfur (think: meats, eggs, dairy, garlic, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli)¹ are more difficult to digest, according to the Cleveland Clinic. When these foods move undigested into the large intestine, sulfur-metabolizing bacteria try to break it all down. This process creates odorless hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas (and sometimes methane) as well as odorous hydrogen sulfide—which mix into your poop and add an extra stench².

2. Dehydration

“Being dehydrated increases your propensity to be constipated,” Dr. Lee says. Feces consists of about 75% water and 25% organic matter (we’re talking undigested carbohydrate, fiber, protein, and fat)³. When you’re properly hydrated, that fluid helps your poop move more easily through the digestive tract and facilitates a healthy bowel movement. When you’re in a state of dehydration, the fluids that usually help digested food pass through the intestines are absorbed by your stool instead⁴. “Constipated stool tends to have a different smell because it’s been in your colon for so long,” Dr. Lee says.

3. Lack of fiber

By now, you may have realized that the characteristics of your poop are largely dependent on what you consume. That said, some foods better aid in digestion than others. “Fiber can work in two ways: as a bulking agent in patients who have looser stools and as an osmotic laxative in those who are constipated,” Nipaporn Pichetshote, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist at UCLA Health, tells SELF. If you lack the necessary fiber to aid in bowel regulation, there’s a chance you could become constipated or experience stool that’s looser than usual.

With the former, which causes your stool to sit in your colon for longer, stool can begin to further ferment or break down⁵ and continue to yield gas such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide that lead to excessive gas and more foul-smelling poop⁶.

4. Infection

The next thing you want to consider is whether you might have a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. While a telltale sign is the accompaniment of other symptoms such as diarrhea, chills, fever, or unexpected weight loss, certain infections can be identified by the unique scent of their chemical makeup of gasses. A few examples include:

Take tests – Coprogram, price of analysis in St. Petersburg

A coprogram is a study of feces (faeces, excrement, stool), an analysis of its physical, chemical properties, as well as various components and inclusions of various origins. It is part of a diagnostic study of the digestive system and the function of the gastrointestinal tract.

How to properly prepare for research?

Exclude the intake of laxatives, the introduction of rectal suppositories, oils, limit the intake of medications that affect intestinal motility (belladonna, pilocarpine, etc.) and the color of feces (iron, bismuth, barium sulfate), within 72 hours before the delivery of feces.

General information about the study

A coprogram is a study of feces (faeces, excrement, stool), an analysis of its physical, chemical properties, as well as various components and inclusions of various origins. It is part of a diagnostic study of the digestive system and the function of the gastrointestinal tract.

Feces are the end product of food digestion in the gastrointestinal tract under the influence of digestive enzymes, bile, gastric juice and the vital activity of intestinal bacteria.

The composition of feces is water, the content of which is normally 70-80%, and the dry residue. In turn, the dry residue consists of 50% live bacteria and 50% of the remains of digested food. Even within the normal range, the composition of feces is largely variable. In many ways, it depends on nutrition and fluid intake..

To an even greater extent, the composition of feces varies with various diseases. The amount of certain components in the stool changes with pathology or dysfunction of the digestive organs, although deviations in the functioning of other body systems can also significantly affect the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and hence the composition of feces. The nature of changes in various types of diseases is extremely diverse. The following groups of violations of the composition of feces can be distinguished:

• change in the amount of components that are normally contained in the stool,
• undigested and/or undigested food residues,
• biological elements and substances excreted from the body into the intestinal lumen,
• various substances that are formed in the intestinal lumen from metabolic products, tissues and cells of the body,
• microorganisms,
• foreign inclusions of biological and other origin.

What is research used for?

• For the diagnosis of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: pathologies of the liver, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, small and large intestine, gallbladder and biliary tract.
• To evaluate the results of treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, requiring long-term medical supervision.

When is the study scheduled?

• With symptoms of any disease of the digestive system: with pain in various parts of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, discoloration of feces, blood in the stool, loss of appetite, weight loss despite satisfactory nutrition, deterioration of the skin, hair and nails, yellowness of the skin and / or whites of the eyes, increased gas formation.
• When the nature of the disease requires monitoring the results of its treatment in the course of ongoing therapy.

What do the results mean?

Reference values ​​

Consistency/shape

The consistency of stool is determined by the percentage of water in it. The normal water content in feces is 75%. In this case, the stool has a moderately dense consistency and a cylindrical shape, i.e., the feces are formed. The use of an increased volume of plant foods containing a lot of fiber leads to an increase in intestinal motility, while the feces become mushy. A more liquid consistency, watery, is associated with an increase in water content to 85% or more.

Liquid, mushy stool is called diarrhea. In many cases, the liquefaction of feces is accompanied by an increase in its number and frequency of bowel movements during the day. According to the mechanism of development, diarrhea is divided into those caused by substances that disrupt the absorption of water from the intestines (osmotic), resulting from increased secretion of fluid from the intestinal wall (secretory), resulting from increased intestinal motility (motor) and mixed.

Osmotic diarrhea often occurs as a result of a violation of the breakdown and assimilation of food elements (fats, proteins, carbohydrates). Occasionally, this can occur with the use of certain indigestible osmotically active substances (magnesium sulfate, salt water). Secretory diarrhea is a sign of inflammation of the intestinal wall of an infectious and other origin. Motor diarrhea can be caused by certain drugs and dysfunction of the nervous system. Often the development of a disease is associated with the involvement of at least two mechanisms for the occurrence of diarrhea, such diarrhea is called mixed.

Hard stool occurs when the movement of feces through the large intestine slows down, which is accompanied by their excessive dehydration (water content in feces is less than 50-60%).

Odor

The usual mild smell of feces is associated with the formation of volatile substances, which are synthesized as a result of bacterial fermentation of the protein elements of food (indole, skatole, phenol, cresols, etc.). The intensification of this smell occurs with excessive consumption of protein foods or with insufficient consumption of plant foods.

The sharp fetid smell of feces is due to the intensification of putrefactive processes in the intestines. A sour smell occurs with increased fermentation of food, which may be associated with a deterioration in the enzymatic breakdown of carbohydrates or their absorption, as well as with infectious processes.

Color

The normal color of feces is due to the presence of stercobilin in it, the end product of bilirubin metabolism, which is excreted into the intestine with bile. In turn, bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin, the main functional substance of red blood cells (hemoglobin). Thus, the presence of stercobilin in feces is the result, on the one hand, of the functioning of the liver, and on the other hand, of the constant process of renewal of the cellular composition of the blood. The color of feces normally changes depending on the composition of the food. Darker stools are associated with the use of meat food, lacto-vegetarian nutrition leads to lighter stools.

Discolored feces (acholic) – a sign of the absence of stercobilin in the stool, which can be caused by the fact that bile does not enter the intestine due to blockade of the biliary tract or a sharp violation of the biliary function of the liver.

Very dark stools are sometimes a sign of an increase in the concentration of stercobilin in the stool. In some cases, this is observed with excessive breakdown of red blood cells, which causes increased excretion of hemoglobin metabolic products.

The red color of the feces may be due to bleeding from the lower intestines.

Black color is a sign of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the black color of the stool is a consequence of the oxidation of blood hemoglobin by hydrochloric acid of gastric juice.

Reaction

The reaction reflects the acid-base properties of the stool. An acidic or alkaline reaction in the feces is due to the activation of certain types of bacteria, which occurs when the fermentation of food is disturbed. Normally, the reaction is neutral or slightly alkaline. The alkaline properties are enhanced by the deterioration of the enzymatic breakdown of proteins, which accelerates their bacterial decomposition and leads to the formation of ammonia, which has an alkaline reaction.

The acid reaction is caused by the activation of bacterial decomposition of carbohydrates in the intestine (fermentation).

Blood

Blood in the stool appears when bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Slime

Mucus is a secretion product of the cells lining the inner surface of the intestine (intestinal epithelium). The function of mucus is to protect intestinal cells from damage. Normally, some mucus may be present in the stool. With inflammatory processes in the intestine, mucus production increases and, accordingly, its amount in the feces increases.

Detritus

Detritus is small particles of digested food and destroyed bacterial cells. Bacterial cells can be destroyed as a result of inflammation.

Leftover undigested food

Remains of food in the stool can appear with insufficient production of gastric juice and / or digestive enzymes, as well as with the acceleration of intestinal motility.

Muscle fibers altered

Altered muscle fibers are a product of the digestion of meat food. An increase in the content of weakly altered muscle fibers in the feces occurs when the conditions for protein cleavage worsen. This can be caused by insufficient production of gastric juice, digestive enzymes.

Muscle fibers, unchanged

Unaltered muscle fibers are elements of undigested meat food. Their presence in the stool is a sign of a violation of protein breakdown (due to a violation of the secretory function of the stomach, pancreas or intestines) or an accelerated movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.

Vegetable fiber, digestible

Digestible vegetable fiber – cells of the pulp of fruits and other plant foods. It appears in the feces in case of violations of the digestive conditions: secretory insufficiency of the stomach, increased putrefactive processes in the intestines, insufficient secretion of bile, and indigestion in the small intestine.

Fat neutral

Neutral fat is the fatty components of food that have not undergone splitting and assimilation and therefore are excreted from the intestine unchanged. For the normal breakdown of fat, pancreatic enzymes and a sufficient amount of bile are necessary, the function of which is to separate the fat mass into a fine drop solution (emulsion) and to multiply the area of ​​​​contact of fatty particles with molecules of specific enzymes – lipases. Thus, the appearance of neutral fat in the feces is a sign of insufficiency in the function of the pancreas, liver, or a violation of the secretion of bile into the intestinal lumen.

In children, a small amount of fat in the stool may be normal. This is due to the fact that their digestive organs are not yet sufficiently developed and therefore do not always cope with the load of assimilation of adult food.

Fatty acids

Fatty acids are products of the breakdown of fats by digestive enzymes called lipases. The appearance of fatty acids in the stool is a sign of a violation of their absorption in the intestine. This may be caused by a violation of the absorption function of the intestinal wall (as a result of the inflammatory process) and / or increased peristalsis.

Soaps

Soaps are modified residues of undigested fats. Normally, 90-98% of fats are absorbed during digestion, the rest can bind to calcium and magnesium salts found in drinking water and form insoluble particles. An increase in the amount of soaps in the stool is a sign of a violation of the breakdown of fats as a result of a lack of digestive enzymes and bile.

Intracellular starch

Intracellular starch is the starch contained within the cell membranes of plant cells. It should not be detected in feces, since during normal digestion, thin cell membranes are destroyed by digestive enzymes, after which their contents are broken down and absorbed. The appearance of intracellular starch in feces is a sign of indigestion in the stomach as a result of a decrease in the secretion of gastric juice, indigestion in the intestines in case of increased putrefaction or fermentation processes.

Starch, extracellular

Extracellular starch – undigested grains of starch from destroyed plant cells. Normally, starch is completely broken down by digestive enzymes and absorbed during the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract, so that it is not present in the feces. Its appearance in the stool indicates an insufficient activity of specific enzymes that are responsible for its breakdown (amylase) or too rapid movement of food through the intestines.

Leukocytes

Leukocytes are blood cells that protect the body from infections. They accumulate in the tissues of the body and its cavities, where the inflammatory process occurs. A large number of white blood cells in the feces indicates inflammation in various parts of the intestine, caused by the development of an infection or other causes.

Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes are red blood cells. The number of red blood cells in the feces may increase as a result of bleeding from the wall of the large intestine or rectum.

Crystals

Crystals are formed from various chemicals that appear in the stool as a result of indigestion or various diseases. These include:

• tripelphosphates – are formed in the intestine in a strongly alkaline environment, which may be the result of the activity of putrefactive bacteria,
• hematoidin – a product of the transformation of hemoglobin, a sign of the release of blood from the wall of the small intestine,
• Charcot-Leiden crystals – a product of crystallization of the protein of eosinophils – blood cells that are actively involved in various allergic processes, are a sign of an allergic process in the intestine, which can be caused by intestinal helminths.

Iodophilic flora

Iodophilic flora is a collection of different types of bacteria that cause fermentation processes in the intestines. In a laboratory study, they can be stained with an iodine solution. The appearance of iodophilic flora in the stool is a sign of fermentative dyspepsia.

Clostridia

Clostridium is a type of bacteria that can cause putrefaction in the intestines. An increase in the number of clostridia in the stool indicates an increase in putrefaction of proteins in the intestine due to insufficient fermentation of food in the stomach or intestines.

Epithelium

The epithelium is the cells of the inner lining of the intestinal wall. The appearance of a large number of epithelial cells in the stool is a sign of the inflammatory process of the intestinal wall.

Yeast fungi

Yeast-like fungi are a type of infection that develops in the intestines with insufficient activity of normal intestinal bacteria that prevent its occurrence. Their active reproduction in the intestine may be the result of the death of normal intestinal bacteria due to treatment with antibiotics or some other drugs. In addition, the appearance of a fungal infection in the intestines is sometimes a sign of a sharp decrease in immunity.

Who orders the study?

General practitioner, therapist, gastroenterologist, surgeon, pediatrician, neonatologist, infectious disease specialist.

Why do poop smell? Types of odors in faeces

There’s a reason bathrooms are equipped with a fan: yes, it removes moisture from the shower, but it also removes odors. Poop smells bad, and their smell may give us clues to why.

Faeces usually have an unpleasant odour. In many cases, smelly stools are due to the food we eat and the bacteria present in the colon. However, foul-smelling stools can also indicate serious health problems. Diarrhea, bloating, or flatulence with foul-smelling stools may occur. Such stools are usually soft or liquid.

Index

• 1 Causes
  • 1.1 Diet
  • 1.2 Malabsorption
  • 1. 3 Infection
  • 1.4 Giardia
  • 1 .5 Dehydration
  • 1.6 Viral gastroenteritis
  • 1.7 lack of fiber
  • 1.8 Medicines and supplements
• 2 miscellaneous odors
  • 2.1 strong or pungent odor
  • 2.2 rotten odor
  • 2.3 sulfur odor
  • 2.4 sweet odor
• 3 How to avoid?
  • 3.1 make dietary changes
  • 3.2 handle food properly
• 4 Is stool odorless?
• 5 Does diarrhea smell stronger?

Causes

We can notice that stools usually have a distinct smell. There are various reasons that may signal a change in diet or underlying issues that require immediate attention.

diet

The normal smell of feces depends on your gut microbiota; that is, the type of bacteria you have and how those bacteria ferment the food in your diet.

This microbiota is born and difficult to change. If we take antibiotics or probiotics, as soon as you stop taking them, your gut microbiota will return to normal in your body. However, it is the food you eat that can make certain poops more rotten or tastier:

• Carbohydrates are heavily fermented and contribute to this smell.
• Garlic and onion are the main odor culprits as they contain sulfates which break down into stinky substances. So, this is why your poop smells so bad or smells like sulfur.
• Legumes and beans contain an enzyme that slows down your digestion, causing you to have more gas.
• That rotten egg smell? In addition to spinach with garlic sauce or fajitas with sautéed onions, other sulfate-containing culprits include high-fat foods, dairy, meat, and alcohol.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption is also a common cause of bad stool odor. This happens when the body is unable to absorb the required amount of nutrients from the food you eat. This usually occurs when there is an infection or disease that prevents the intestines from absorbing nutrients from food.

Common causes of malabsorption include:

• Celiac disease, which is a reaction to gluten that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents proper absorption of nutrients.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Carbohydrate intolerance, i.e. inability to fully process sugars and starches.
• Milk protein intolerance.
• Food allergies.

IBD is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation of the intestines. If we have this disease, eating certain foods can cause inflammation of the intestines. People with inflammatory bowel disease often complain of foul-smelling diarrhea or constipation. They also have flatulence after eating certain foods, and these gases can be foul-smelling.

Infection

Infections that affect the intestines can also cause foul-smelling stools. Gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, can occur after eating food contaminated with bacteria such as E. coli or salmonella, viruses, or parasites. “Sweet smell” is not usually a description associated with human feces, although there is one bacterial infection that can lead to a recognizably disgusting sweetish discharge: Clostridioides difficile infection.

Shortly after the infection develops, we may have abdominal cramps and then loose, foul-smelling stools.

Giardia

Giardia is a protozoan that usually causes fishy or foul-smelling diarrhea. The characteristic unpleasant smell of giardiasis occurs due to malabsorption of fats. If we get giardia infection through contaminated food or drink. The organism primarily affects the small intestine and leads to the destruction of its mucous membrane, followed by malabsorption.

Giardiasis can be either acute or chronic. And it’s more common in people traveling the world, children under 6, the elderly, and patients with low immunity (such as those receiving chemotherapy).

Giardia lamblia is the third most common cause of acute diarrhea worldwide (after rotavirus and cryptosporidium). About 300 million cases are registered annually worldwide. 75% of patients with acute giardiasis have watery diarrhea with a fishy odor. In addition, people with chronic giardiasis may also have fishy or foul-smelling diarrhea.

Dehydration

Dehydration increases the tendency to constipation. Stool is about 75% water and 25% organic matter (we are talking about undigested carbohydrates, fiber, proteins and fats).

When we are well hydrated, this liquid helps feces move more easily through the digestive tract and promotes healthy bowel movements. When we are in a dehydrated state, the fluids that normally help digested food pass through the intestines are absorbed in the feces. Constipated stools tend to have a different odor because they have been in the colon for a long time.

Viral gastroenteritis

Viral gastroenteritis is very common (more often than giardiasis). Up to 70% of cases of acute infectious diarrhea are caused by viruses. The most common viruses are norovirus (more common), rotavirus (currently less common due to vaccination), adenovirus, and others.

Viral gastroenteritis is also known as (stomach flu) because it causes acute watery diarrhea (sometimes with a fishy odor), nausea, and vomiting; and flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, etc. Distinguishing giardiasis from viral gastroenteritis is not easy. However, viral gastroenteritis is usually milder.

Unlike giardiasis (which lasts one to four weeks), stomach flu often lasts several days. In addition, body pain is more pronounced with viral gastroenteritis.

lack of fiber

By now, we may have realized that the characteristics of poop largely depend on what we ingest. However, some foods help digestion more than others. Fiber can act in two ways: as a filler in patients with loose stools and as an osmotic laxative for constipation.

If we don’t have enough fiber to regulate our bowel movements, chances are you may experience constipation or looser stools than usual. With the former causing your stool to linger longer in the colon, the stool can begin to ferment or break down more and continue to produce gases such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, which lead to excess gas and a more unpleasant odor.

Medicines and supplements

Some medicines can cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhoea. take some multivitamins OTC products can also cause bad stool odor if we are allergic to supplement ingredients. After a course of antibiotics, , you may have bad smelling stools until the normal bacterial flora is restored.

Foul-smelling diarrhea may be a side effect of taking more than the recommended daily allowance of a multivitamin or any vitamin or mineral. Diarrhea associated with multivitamins or more medications than the recommended dose is a sign of a medical emergency.

different smells

It is perfectly normal to have smelly poop. Bad faecal odor is not necessarily bad for health. Some people have more smelly stools than others, and in most people, stools sometimes smell musty. However, it’s worth paying attention to your personal perfume (regardless of whether it’s sweet or skunk-like) because there are a few signs that something else might be going on.

strong or strong odor

If you have blood in stool , your feces will have a pungent, unique and unmistakable smell. Gastrointestinal doctors can easily tell this by walking down the hospital corridor, but for a newbie to the nose (like you), instead of sniffing blood, pay attention to its appearance.

Las- black, tarry stools they are red flags because they indicate the presence of blood, indicating bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, or part of the small intestine). This symptom may indicate a peptic ulcer or even cancer of the esophagus or stomach. Call your doctor if you have this type of stool.

rotten smell

If stool that has waxy or sticky texture , or if there is a sudden and dramatic change in the frequency, consistency, or comfort of going to the toilet, call your doctor. These could be signs of an infection or a digestive problem.

An example of an infection that contributes to an unpleasant defecation episode: giardiasis, intestinal parasite. You can get it by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water (such as from a stream while camping). In addition to bad breath, you will also have explosive watery diarrhea. The difficulty is that symptoms usually don’t show until a week or two after infection, so it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what has happened.

smell of sulfur

There are certain healthy foods, especially foods high in sulfur, that can make your stool very unpleasant.

It is important to say that sulfur is not inherently bad. It is a common element needed by the body to produce the antioxidant glutathione, as well as to support blood and digestive function. It is also great for skin and hair. Adding sulfur-rich foods has been shown to help fight acne and reduce other skin problems such as rosacea and dry, flaky skin. Studies have shown that sulfur has an antibacterial effect on the bacteria that cause acne and dermatitis.

sweet-smelling

Another infection that can cause very unpleasant, sweet-smelling stools is C. diff , which can occur while you are taking antibiotics and also includes symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.

Digestive conditions that may contribute to malodorous stools include: celiac disease Crohn’s disease chronic pancreatitis and diseases that cause malabsorption such as cystic fibrosis and infection of the pancreas.

Malabsorption may mean that you are not digesting fats properly (this is called steatorrhea ), which produces a “rotten food smell”. Also look for lighter-colored stools (such as clay or white), which may indicate that something is happening to your pancreas.

How to avoid?

If the smell of poop is associated with a disease, only a specialist can give a solution. On the other hand, if the cause is related to eating habits, there are some tricks.

make dietary changes

Making dietary changes can help prevent bad stool odor. For example, we will avoid drinking raw or unpasteurized milk. If we have a medical condition that affects how you digest food or how your body reacts to eating certain foods, your doctor can create an appropriate diet plan.

Following a diet plan can help reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, or bad stool odor. For example, if you have inflammatory bowel disease, you can follow a low FODMA diet.

Handle food properly

We will prevent bacterial contamination of your food by handling it correctly. We will cook raw foods well before we eat them. Cooking well means checking the internal temperature of food with a thermometer before eating it.

It is not recommended to cook meat and vegetables on the same cutting board. If we do this on the same table, we can spread salmonella or other bacteria. We should also wash our hands thoroughly after handling raw meat or going to the toilet.

Is there an odorless stool?

It is perfectly normal for feces to smell bad. The smell comes from bacteria in the colon that help break down digested food. However, it may have a different smell due to dietary changes.

We could stop thinking about smell as a problem. While we think that the feces of breastfed babies smell better, the truth is that they still smell. It is also profuse and formless. So it is unlikely that a breast milk diet is the best option for achieving odorless stools, as adults have different nutritional requirements than infants.

Trying to change the diet to make the faeces smell better can cause nutritional problems. In a way, it must suck because people will avoid it. Aversion to this smell is a behavioral adaptation.

Meat is the most difficult protein to break down. Whereas vegetables and fruits are molecularly built in a simpler way. Thus, the more complex the food, the more unpleasant the smell. If we eat a lot of vegetables, fresh or cooked, and avoid meat and legumes, poop may be less unpleasant.

However, the best solution is to rinse the water beforehand so that the smell does not spread throughout the bathroom.

Does diarrhea smell stronger?

The problem may be due to too many bad bacteria in the gut, a viral infection, or Clostridioides difficile, a bacterium that causes diarrhea.