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Stools - foul smelling
Foul-smelling stools; Malodorous stools
Foul-smelling stools are stools with a very bad odor. They very often have to do with what you eat, but may be a sign of a medical condition.
Considerations
Stools normally have an unpleasant odor. Most of the time, the odor is familiar. Stools that have an extremely bad, abnormal odor may be due to certain medical conditions. Foul-smelling stools also have normal causes, such as diet changes.
Causes
Causes may include:
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Celiac disease - sprue
Celiac disease - sprue
Celiac disease is a condition caused by damage to the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This is a ...
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Crohn disease
Crohn disease
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...
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Chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is swelling of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis is present when this problem does not heal or improve, gets worse over time, and lead...
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Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body. It is one of th...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Intestinal infection
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Malabsorption
Malabsorption
Malabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in nutrients from food.
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Short bowel syndrome
Short bowel syndrome
Short bowel syndrome is a problem that occurs when part of the small intestine is missing or has been removed during surgery. Nutrients are not prop...
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Home Care
Home care depends on what is causing the problem. Things you can do include:
- Follow your health care provider's instructions.
- If you have been given a special diet, stick to it closely.
- If you have diarrhea, drink more fluids so you do not get dehydrated.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if you have:
- Black or pale stools
- Blood in the stool
- Changes in the stool related to diet
- Chills
- Cramping
- Fever
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weight loss
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. Questions may include:
- When did you first notice the change?
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Are the stools an abnormal color (such as
pale or clay-colored stools
)?
Pale or clay-colored stools
Stools that are pale, clay, or putty-colored may be due to problems in the biliary system. The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallblad...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Are your stools hard to flush?
- What sort of diet have you eaten recently?
- Does a change in your diet make the smell worse or better?
- What other symptoms do you have?
The provider may take a stool sample. Other tests may be needed.
References
Juckett G, Trivedi R. Evaluation of chronic diarrhea. Am Fam Physician . 2011;84(10):1119-1126. PMID: 22085666. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22085666 .
McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 132.
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Lower digestive anatomy - illustration
Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs. Whatever has not been absorbed by the small intestine passes into the colon. In the colon most of the water is absorbed from the food residue. The residue is then eliminated from the body as feces.
Lower digestive anatomy
illustration
-
Lower digestive anatomy - illustration
Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs. Whatever has not been absorbed by the small intestine passes into the colon. In the colon most of the water is absorbed from the food residue. The residue is then eliminated from the body as feces.
Lower digestive anatomy
illustration
Review Date: 7/22/2016
Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
