Why Does My Poop Smell So Bad? Unpacking Digestive Health Concerns
By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 23, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 23, 2024Table of Contents
Sometimes you would have observed that your poop smells so very bad. In this article, we will try to understand the causes for it and what it may reveal about your gut health. By understanding why it happens and what to do about it, you may get a handle on your bowel movements.
The process through which your body breaks food down and your gut bacteria are major players in stool smell. Stool odour is key in flagging possible health problems. This knowledge allows you to take steps for good gut health.
Some foods can make your stool smell bad, here are a few examples.
Certain foods break down in your gut to emit a rotten egg smell. They tend to be high in sulfur, which are as follows.
A fat-rich diet can make your stool smell worse. This happens because fats are more resistant to digestion and absorption. When undigested fats reach the large intestine, they become food for gut bacteria, causing a bad smell.
Alcohol and caffeine can speed the transit time of stools, resulting in smelly stools. Besides, too much alcohol can disrupt your gut flora and make your stools smell worse.
When your body fails to break down and absorb nutrients properly, it’s called malabsorption. The result is a stinky stool, along with other problems like loose bowels, bloating, and gas. Several health issues could cause this which are as follows.
Many people find it tough to digest lactose, the sugar in milk and dairy foods. When it ends up undigested in the large intestine, it ferments, generating gases and a foul smell.
This autoimmune problem, sparked by gluten in wheat, rye, and barley, can harm the small intestine’s lining. This damage makes it tough for the body to take up nutrients. This may lead to a smelly stool.
When the pancreas cannot make enough enzymes to digest and absorb food, it results in fatty, stools called steatorrhea.
Digestive tract inflammation could result from diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. This inflammation interferes with nutrient absorption and leads to a smelly output.
Gut infections can also lead to a smelly stool.
C. diff is a type of bacteria that can cause fluid loss from the body and other gut problems. A common clue of a C. diff invasion is particularly stinky stool.
Rotavirus often leads to upset stomachs in kids. Alongside loose bowels and puking, this infection can end up in a foul-smelling stool.
The Giardia lamblia parasite leads to giardiasis. With this illness, you might experience loose bowels, gas, and stomach aches. The symptom list includes unusually foul-smelling stools.
Antibiotics fight harmful bacteria but can upset the balance of your gut flora. This upset could lead to loose bowels and stinky stools.
Plus, some supplements could also impact your stool smell. If you notice changes in stool odour while on medications or supplements, best to discuss it with your healthcare provider.
Other issues that can contribute to bad-smelling faeces are as follows:
Slow bowel movements can result in dry, hard, and smelly stool due to increased bacterial fermentation.
Using laxatives often can irritate the bowel, generating loose, smelly stool.
In GERD, stomach acid backflows into your food pipe, causing heartburn and more. While GERD might not directly change stool odour, it could upset digestion and exacerbate the faeces smell.
In my experience, I have found that foul-smelling stools may also be a sign of a condition called Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR). In HSCR, the absence of certain nerve cells in the lower part of the gut can lead to digestive issues and foul-smelling stools. If you see that your poop keeps smelling bad and you also feel your belly getting bigger see a doctor urgently.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D
Identifying the culprit behind foul-smelling feces is key to finding the right plan for management. Tools or checks your healthcare provider may use are as follows.
Once the reason for bad-smelling stool is clear, management can be matched to the cause.
Under the guidance of the doctor any of the above options may be recommended depending on the cause.
Taking steps to keep your gut healthy may avoid smelly stool. Here are some tips:
Understanding what causes foul-smelling stools may help you keep your gut healthy. By actively finding triggers and managing root causes, you can keep your body running fit. Use the insights shared in this article to take care of your gut health.
Also Read: Why Does Sperm Make Me Smell Fishy? Probing Into Sexual Health Mysteries
Sulfur smell is due to high-sulfur foods like some meats, seafood, cruciferous vegetables, etc. After digestion, these foods emit a rotten egg smell.
In some cases, smelly stool points to medical conditions like chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic enzyme reduction, which might be signs of pancreatic cancer. If your stool odour changes for a while, get a healthcare professional to check over the situation.
To dial down on stool smell, you could adjust your diet, cutting back on high-sulfur foods and going for a balanced diet. Regular workouts, drinking plenty of water, and safe food practices may also help.
In celiac disease, poor nutrient absorption can result in fatty, greasy, foul-smelling stools, termed steatorrhea.
Boost gut health with the right diet, lots of fluids, regular exercise, stress control, and safe food practices. Adding probiotics to your diet may also balance your gut bacteria for better digestive health.
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