Are you experiencing foul-smelling stools? You’re not alone. Strong smelling stools can indicate an underlying health condition or a result of certain foods or medications. Understanding what causes these stinky stools and how to prevent them is important.
A variety of factors can cause stools that smell foul. Certain foods, such as spicy or fatty foods, can cause your stool to have an unpleasant odor.
Additionally, medications like antibiotics can alter the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, leading to changes in the smell and consistency of your stool.
However, they can also be a symptom of an infection or underlying health condition affecting how your body absorbs nutrients. Pay attention to any changes in your bowel movements and consult with a healthcare provider if you have concerns.
This article will explore the common causes of foul smelling poops, how to prevent them, and when to seek medical attention. Whether this is occasional or it’s a chronic issue for you, understanding the underlying causes can help you take steps to improve your digestive health.
Causes of Foul-Smelling Stools
Various factors, including food, infections, and underlying health conditions, can cause intense smelling stools. This section will discuss the most common causes.
Strong smelling stool causes
The following factors can cause a strong smelling poop:
- Food: Certain foods, such as spicy or greasy, can cause gross smelling stools. Additionally, some people may have food allergies or intolerances that can cause this to occur. For example, lactose intolerance can cause this due to the inability to digest lactose properly.
- Infections: Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites can cause intense smelling poops. For example, giardiasis is an infection caused by a parasite called Giardia that can cause explosive, watery, greasy, and an intense odor for your poop.
- Underlying health conditions: Certain underlying health conditions can cause a bowel movement to have a strong odor. For example, celiac disease is when the body cannot tolerate gluten, wheat, barley, and rye protein. This can cause diarrhea and foul smelling stools. Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis, can cause small intestine and colon inflammation, which can have an affect on your stool smells.
More Detailed Causes of strong-smelling stools
Here are some of the most common causes of intense smelling stools:
- Bacteria: Bacterial infections, such as gastroenteritis or salmonella
- Enzymes: Problems with the enzymes that digest food, such as lactase enzymes.
- Dietary changes: Changes in diet, such as eating more fiber or taking antibiotics.
- Intestinal infection: Infections in the intestines, such as giardiasis.
- Travel: Traveling to other countries can expose you to different bacteria and parasites.
- Parasites: Parasitic infections, such as those caused by worms
- Lactose intolerance: Lactose intolerance due to the inability to digest lactose properly.
- Probiotics: Taking probiotics can help restore the balance of bacteria in the gut, which can help reduce odors in your feces.
- Cancer: In rare cases, strong odor stools can be a sign of cancer in the digestive system.
Various factors, including food, infections, and underlying health conditions can cause intense stools with odor. Therefore, if you experience a strong smelling stool you must consult your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
Foul Smelling Stool Symptoms
Foul-smelling stools can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. If you notice that your stools have an awful, bad odor sometimes, paying attention to any other symptoms you may be experiencing is important. Here are some symptoms you should be aware of:
Foul-smelling poop symptoms
- Diarrhea: Foul-smelling diarrhea could be a sign of an infection or other digestive disorder.
- Bloating: Stinky smelling stools can also be accompanied by bloating. This is typically caused by excess gas in the digestive system.
- Malabsorption: If your body is not absorbing nutrients properly, it can lead to a smelly stool. This can be caused by conditions such as celiac disease or cystic fibrosis.
- Weight loss: Experiencing foul stools along with unexplained weight loss, it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
- Abdominal pain: Foul-smelling stools can also be accompanied by abdominal pain. This may indicate a digestive disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease.
- Bleeding: If you notice blood in your stool along with a foul odor, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
- Colitis: Smelly stools can be a symptom of colitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the colon.
- Nausea: If you are experiencing intense smelling stools and nausea, it could be a sign of an infection or other digestive disorder.
- Loss of appetite: If you have stinky stools and are also experiencing a loss of appetite, it could be a sign of a more severe condition.
- Complications: If left untreated, intense smelling stools can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances.
It’s important to note that stools that smell foul can have a variety of causes, and not all cases are severe. However, suppose you are experiencing severe pain or smelly stools along with any of the symptoms listed above. Then, you must consult your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis of Foul Smelling Stool
If you are experiencing intense smelling stools, there are several steps you can take to help diagnose the underlying cause. These may include:
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing a stinky smelling stools is to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical examination to check for any signs of infection or other underlying health conditions.
Stool Sample
Your doctor may also ask you to provide a stool sample for analysis. A stool sample can help to identify any potential infections or other issues that may be causing your symptoms. The lab will analyze the sample to check for the presence of bacteria, parasites, or other abnormalities.
Blood Test
In some cases, your doctor may also order a blood test. A blood test can help check for any signs of infection or inflammation in your body that may contribute to your symptoms.
Medical History
Your doctor will also ask about your medical history, including any medications you currently take. Some medicines can cause an intense and stinky stool as a side effect, so it is vital to provide your doctor with a complete list of all your medications.
Physical Exam
During the physical exam, your doctor will check your abdomen for any signs of tenderness or swelling. They may also check your anus and rectum for any signs of irritation or infection.
Diagnosing a foul poop smell can involve several steps, including a physical exam, stool sample analysis, blood tests, and a medical history review. By working with your doctor and following their recommendations, you can help to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan.
What Are The Most Common Smells Associated With Foul Smelling Poop?
When it comes to poop, there are a variety of smells that you may experience. Here are some of the most common odors associated with intense smelling poop:
- Sulfur: Your poop smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, it could be due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide. This gas produces bacteria in your gut and can indicate an underlying digestive issue.
- Ammonia: An ammonia poop smell could be due to dehydration or a high-protein diet. Ammonia is a byproduct of protein metabolism and can build up in your body if you’re not drinking enough fluids.
- Garlic: Your poop smells like garlic, it could be due to your diet. Garlic contains sulfur compounds that can excrete through your digestive system.
- Gasoline: Poop smells like gasoline could be due to a number of factors such as medications or antibiotics you have taken.
- Burnt Rubber: A burnt rubber-smelling stool can be caused by malabsorption, intestinal infections or certain medications you may be taking. Along with other factors.
- Coffee: Your poop smells like coffee could be due to your diet. Coffee contains caffeine and other compounds that can affect the odor of your stool.
- Skunk: If your poop smells like skunk, it could be due to the presence of thiols. These compounds produce bacteria in your gut and can be a sign of an underlying digestive issue.
- Fish: A fish smell to your poop could be due to your diet. Fish contains trimethylamine, which can excrete through your digestive system.
- Chemical: A chemical smell could be due to exposure to toxic substances or a medical issue.
- Vomit: A vomit smell to your stools could indicate an issue with malabsorption or an underlying health condition.
- Metal: Poop with a metallic smell can be caused by a number of things, such as iron supplements, medications and antibiotics.
- Licorice: Foods high in anethole can cause a licorice smelling stool or gas.
It’s important to note that everyone’s poop smells different and can be affected by various factors, including diet, hydration, and underlying medical conditions.
Treatment for Foul-Smelling Stool
Treatment options will depend on the cause of your foul stool. This section will discuss standard treatment options and prevention strategies to keep your whole digestive, gastrointestinal tract, and system healthy.
Foul smelling stool treatment
If a health problem causes an intense smelling stool, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to treat the underlying condition. For example, if you have giardiasis, a parasitic infection that can cause foul-smelling stool, your healthcare provider may prescribe metronidazole, tinidazole, or nitazoxanide to treat the condition.
In some cases, making dietary changes can also help prevent this from occurring. For example, avoid drinking raw or unpasteurized milk.
Stinky stool prevention
Prevention is critical to maintaining a healthy digestive and immune system. Here are some prevention strategies you can implement:
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help flush toxins from your body.
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid foods high in sugar.
- Take vitamin D supplements if you need more than your diet or sunlight exposure is giving you.
- Avoid medications that can cause smelly stool, such as antibiotics or laxatives, unless prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding contact with people who are sick.
In conclusion, foul smelling stools can be a sign of an underlying gut health problem. Making dietary changes and practicing good hygiene can also help prevent and maintain a healthy digestive system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smelly Stools
If you have noticed that your stool has an unusually strong, putrid, unpleasant smell, you may have some questions about what could be causing it. Here are some frequently asked questions about foul-smelling stools:
What does very foul-smelling stool mean?
Intense smelling stools are uncommon and usually caused by something you ate or a minor digestive issue. However, if your stool has a nasty, abnormal odor, it may indicate an underlying medical condition. Some medical conditions that can cause this include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and pancreatitis.
What disease causes stinky smelling stool?
Several medical conditions can cause a foul smell to your stool. Common conditions include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and pancreatitis. These conditions can cause nutrient malabsorption.
Should I be concerned about a strong smelly poop?
If you have noticed a change in the smell of your stool, it is always a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider. While it is usually not a cause for concern, it can indicate an underlying medical condition and talking to a doctor is recommended.
How do you get rid of poops that smell foul?
If your nasty smelling poop is caused by something besides spicy food you ate, it will usually disappear within a day or two. However, if the smell persists, there are several things you can do to help get rid of it. These include:
- Drinking plenty of water to help flush out your system
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fiber
- Taking probiotics to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in your gut
- Avoiding foods that are known to cause smelly poop, such as garlic, onions, and spicy foods
Is intensely smelling poop a sign of cancer?
While intensely smelling poop is not usually a sign of cancer, it is always a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider if you have noticed a change in the smell of your stool. This is because cancer can cause changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea, and blood in the stool. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to a doctor to determine the cause.
Why does my poop smell like death?
If your poop has a death like smell, that is particularly strong or unpleasant, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Some conditions that can cause an aroma similar to death include C. difficile infection, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
What does diabetic poop smell like?
Diabetic poop may have a sweet, fruity smell. A poop with a sweet fruity scent can be caused due to high levels of ketones in the blood, which can also cause a fruity odor in the breath and urine.
Why does my poop smell like fish?
If your poop has a fishy smell, it could indicate an underlying medical condition. Some conditions that can cause this symptom include malabsorption of fats or a bacterial infection.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/stools-foul-smelling
https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/symptoms/foul-smelling
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/stools-foul-smelling