Poop that floats

[Mary]

Is that a good thing or bad. Some of it floats and some of it doesn't, and how do you know if your poo is greasy.

 

[chelli]

In my experience the more fatty food I eat, the more that floats.

 

[Mary]

I did have homemade chicken soup last night. I guess there would be alot of fat in that.

 

[chelli]

I did have homemade chicken soup last night. I guess there would be alot of fat in that.

Could be. Depends on how it's made. I make most of my food low fat for multiple reasons but fast food = floaters.

 

[shazamataz]

Mine always sinks, and I was told that's a good thing!

 

[mwb3779]

Usually poo that floats is because of the undigested fats. It happens.

 

[Angee]

Mine always floats...and usually has a greasy film like that floats around in the water with it, Have tried everything, eating different things and it always stays the same, DR told me as long as it doesnt hurt or burn coming out then not really worry about it, but it may be different for other people.

 

[dustydshook]

My nutritionist told me that poop that floats has fat in it.

 

[pb4]

Floating stools are seen in a variety of different situations. Most are diet-related, or caused by episodes of diarrhea that accompany a gastrointestinal infection. A change in diet can lead to an increase in the amount of gas produced by the bacteria found in the (healthy) gastrointestinal tract.

Similarly, acute gastrointestinal (GI) infections can result in increased gas in the intestines, due to rapid movement of food through the GI tract. One wrong idea is that floating stools are caused by an increase in the fat content of the stool. In fact, it is increased gas in the stool that make it less dense and allow it to float.

Another cause of floating stools is malabsorption, in which the body can't properly digest and absorb fat and other nutrients from the GI tract. More than 2 weeks of diarrhea with floating stools is often seen in people suffering from malabsorption.

Increased levels of nutrients in the stool (which have not been absorbed by the GI tract) are supplied to the normal bacteria that live in the gut. These bacteria in turn produce more gas. This results in more gas-rich stools that float.

Dietary changes, diarrhea, and malabsorption can cause floating stools. Most causes are harmless and the floating stools will go away by themselves when the infection ends or the normal bacteria in the GI tract adjust to the changes in the diet.

The following diseases may also cause floating stools:

Abetalipoproteinemia
Biliary atresia
Cystic fibrosis
Disaccharides deficiency (insufficient amounts of the sugar-digesting enzymes lactase, sucrase, or isomaltase)
Gluten-induced enteropathy (sprue or celiac disease)
Idiopathic steatorrhea (fatty stools with no known cause)
Short bowel syndrome
When to Contact a Medical Professional
It is important to discuss a change in stool characteristics

 

[Crohn's 35]

My nutritionist told me that poop that floats has fat in it.

That and trans fats and hidden fats, that are culprits. Dr Oz had a show on IBS sufferers and poop that floats has no fibre at all. Also a whitish poop is a very bad sign, unless you had a barium follow through! When I eat something I shouldnt and I pay, it is always a floating poop and I have had 2 resections.

 

[Brad P]

I just started an antibiotic treatment of Flagyl and Cipro. After 1-2 days on that, my stools were floating. May have something to do with the balance of bacteria in my gut perhaps, but not too concerned at the moment.

 

[Kev]

What comes out is mainly a result of what goes in... a low fat, high protein diet will mean that what comes out will be very low in fat, hi in undigestable protein... and probably sink. The thing to watch for is that blood is protein based... so sinkers can also be hi in blood content.. and it might be a hue that one doesn't normally associate with bleeding... very dark, even tarish.

 

[merrywidow]

The following diseases may also cause floating stools:

Abetalipoproteinemia
Biliary atresia
Cystic fibrosis
Disaccharides deficiency (insufficient amounts of the sugar-digesting enzymes lactase, sucrase, or isomaltase)
Gluten-induced enteropathy (sprue or celiac disease)
Idiopathic steatorrhea (fatty stools with no known cause)
Short bowel syndrome
When to Contact a Medical Professional
It is important to discuss a change in stool characteristics

omg, if i still had a bowel and floating poo i think i would be off to see the doctor now.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Kev is right, I had some cheese and 1 chocolate Turtle... stupid thing to do and I was in pain with gas and bloat 3am and still hurting, and my poop...looks bubbly and floating, way too much fat. Ugh, you'd think after 20 years I would get it by now....

 

[Pirate]

One thing to watch for with floating poop is the color. If it is white and floats and you are also jaundice than you need to get checked for Pancreatic cancer. This is according to DR. Oz. I just caught this on his show a couple of minutes ago.

 

[cheeky]

I'm pretty sure i remember Dr. Oz was on Oprah talking about poop and he said that when you're poo floats it's a sign that you have too much fat in your diet.

but don't quote me, i am only 60% sure that's what i remember.

but this is referring to normal coloured poop that floats.