Diarrhea smells bad because of gut bacteria fermenting food, but the odor becomes extremely foul due to infections (bacteria, viruses, parasites), malabsorption (undigested fats/sugars), inflammation (IBD), medications (antibiotics), or an imbalance in gut flora, releasing strong-smelling gases like hydrogen sulfide or ammonia, often accompanied by watery stools and cramps.
In many cases, foul-smelling stool occurs due to the food the patient has eaten and the bacteria present in the large intestine. However, foul-smelling stool can also indicate a serious health issue that may occur, such as diarrhea, bloating, or gas, often associated with soft or watery stools.
Don't eat certain foods such as dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned foods for a few days. Ask about antidiarrheal medicines. Nonprescription antidiarrheal medicines, such as loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate, might help reduce how often you pass watery stool and control severe symptoms.
The process of foods breaking down in the colon makes poop smell. Foul-smelling stools that float can be a sign that your body isn't effectively absorbing nutrients. If this persists, it could be a sign of a food intolerance, celiac disease or a pancreatic insufficiency.
The BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) is a gentle and effective diet for relieving diarrhea.
Organ failure, primarily kidney failure (renal failure), is a major cause of diarrhea, stemming from toxin buildup and inflammation in the gut, but liver or intestinal issues (like inflammatory bowel disease or infections, often secondary to weakened immunity in kidney failure) can also cause it, with severe diarrhea worsening kidney function due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Symptoms of dumping syndrome generally start within minutes after eating, especially after a meal rich in table sugar or fruit sugar. They include: Feeling bloated or too full after eating. Nausea.
Giardiasis is an infection caused by a parasite called Giardia. It causes diarrhea. Symptoms include explosive, watery, greasy, foul-smelling stools, bloating, nausea, pain, gas, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Patients with steatorrhea present with bulky, pale, foul-smelling oily stools. These fatty stools tend to float in the toilet bowl and often challenging to flush as well.
Change in the Appearance of the Stool
A Thin, narrow, or ribbon-like stool could indicate changes inside your colon. Color: Blood, darkened, or tarry (black) stool can signal issues inside the colon. Your doctor can help determine the cause.
Dumping syndrome: Food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, which is common after stomach or esophageal surgery. 6. Gut motility: Green poop may be a sign that food moves too quickly through the gut for bile to turn stool brown.
Symptoms of early dumping syndrome occur within 30 minutes after a meal, while symptoms of late dumping syndrome occur 1 to 3 hours after a meal. The most common cause of rapid gastric emptying and dumping syndrome is surgery of the stomach or esophagus.
Diarrhea symptoms may look like other health problems. Bloody diarrhea is always a concern. Always see your doctor to be sure. Be sure to tell the doctor about any bleeding, fever, or vomiting.
Tips to improve your eating behavior when you're experiencing diarrhea. Drink at least one cup of liquid after each loose bowel movement. Try water, sports drinks or bouillon. Avoid high-fiber foods, such as nuts, whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
Diarrhea may cause a temporary, superficial weight loss, but this often doesn't indicate a true weight loss. On average, the human body can fluctuate approximately 1.0-1.5kg per day (or 2.2 - 3.2 lbs.) Several lifestyle factors can influence this weight change, including recently eating any ultra-processed foods.
Symptoms can include:
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which can be life-threatening if not treated. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. If you have symptoms of serious dehydration, seek medical help.
Usual symptoms of a kidney infection include flank pain, fever, nausea, diarrhea, blood in the urine, painful urination and urinary urgency. In most cases, a kidney infection can be quickly and effectively treated with antibiotic and pain medications along with fluids to re-hydrate the patient.
It's important to note that if diarrhea is caused by bacteria, your body needs to get rid of the bacteria first by letting diarrhea run its course. If they're taken too soon, anti-diarrheal medication can make symptoms worse and keep you from clearing the infection.
Diarrhea flushes out harmful invaders like viruses, bacteria, and parasites, along with toxins, from your digestive system, acting as a defense mechanism to clear infections like food poisoning or gastroenteritis, though it also causes significant loss of water and essential electrolytes. It's your body's way of rapidly expelling pathogens, often triggered by an inflamed gut lining.
Symptoms of intestinal failure may include: