What makes floating poop

To get to the bottom yes, pun intended of this toilet bowl mystery, Health spoke to a gastroenterologist to get all the deets on floating poop—including when to when to relax and when to see a doctor, ASAP. Poop can float for a few reasons—the most benign being that it simply has extra gas in it.

That's because sometimes the foods that make us fart think beans, cauliflower, and sugar-free candies can cause such a buildup of gas that some of it gets lodged in our poop, Rabia De Latour, MD , a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, tells Health.

When that happens, your poop floats simply because air is less dense than water. This is pretty normal, and only happens every once in a while. Another reason for floating poop, however, is a bit more worrisome. Think of it like a separated salad dressing—the oil fat floats to the top. De Latour says. Instead, floating poop and the excess fat that causes it are an indicator of several different health problems—all of which have the same symptom in common: malabsorption.

De Latour. This may result in floating stools. Floating stools are usually nothing to be concerned about. Your stools will most likely return to their typical structure without any treatment. The two most common causes of floating stools are excess gas and malabsorption , or improper absorption, of nutrients.

Certain foods can cause gas in your stools. Foods that commonly cause gas contain large amounts of sugar, lactose, starch, or fiber, such as:. Malabsorption can occur when your stools pass through your intestines too quickly, such as when you have diarrhea.

If you have severe malabsorption, your floating stools may also have a strong odor and appear greasy. A common cause of malabsorption is gastrointestinal GI tract infections. GI tract infections can be caused by viral or bacterial infections. These infections usually go away without any treatment. More serious infections include those from E. These will require treatment from a medical professional. Floating stools commonly occur in people who have lactose intolerance when they drink or eat dairy products.

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, which is a sugar found in dairy products. This can lead to malabsorption. Your pancreas makes enzymes that help emulsify and digest fat in your intestine for absorption.

Another mechanism is a blockage of your pancreatic duct that empties the enzymes into your small intestine. This could be due to a pancreatic head mass that blocks your pancreatic duct and bile from your liver and gallbladder. The American Cancer Society says that floating stools may be an early symptom of pancreatic cancer. This type of cancer may stop bile and pancreatic enzymes from getting through your intestines to break down fats, which can make stools greasy and make them float.

Floating stools can also be a symptom of pancreatitis. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to the lining of your small intestine when you eat gluten.

Gluten is a protein found mainly in wheat products. The symptoms go away when you avoid gluten. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic condition that causes an excess production of thick and sticky mucus in your lungs and digestive tract.

The excess mucus in your pancreas prevents the proper absorption of nutrients because your pancreas makes enzymes that can help with fat digestion in your small intestine to facilitate absorption, which can cause floating stools. Treatments, including medications, may reduce floating stools, as well as other symptoms of the disease. When floating stool occurs alongside other symptoms, such as pain, diarrhea , bloating, or constipation , it may signal an underlying gastrointestinal issue.

When the stool is very fatty, it may float. The medical term for this is steatorrhea. A fatty stool that floats may mean that a person is not adequately absorbing nutrients from food.

Diseases of the pancreas can cause a fatty stool due to malabsorption. Malabsorption can occur when the pancreatic enzymes or bile do not travel in sufficient quantities to the small intestine. The result is a fatty stool that may float or be difficult to flush. The stool may also be white or very pale. A person may also notice that they have very dark urine. The most serious pancreas disorder is pancreatic cancer. Other conditions of the pancreas, such as pancreatitis , may also cause a floating stool.

Pancreatic disorders are serious, so it is essential to get treatment as soon as possible. There is no reason to panic because of floating stool. If the symptom persists, however, a doctor can offer reassurance and diagnose any underlying problems. Floating poop, changes in poop color, and other temporary changes in bowel habits are usually not a sign of a serious medical condition.

Nevertheless, a person can see a doctor if symptoms persist or get worse. A doctor can do a variety of tests to make a proper diagnosis. The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen. It produces enzymes and hormones that aid digestion, and it makes insulin to moderate levels of blood sugar….

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