A healthy digestive system helps your body absorb nutrients and hydration from the food you eat every day while ensuring waste products are eliminated through regular bowel movements. But if you notice something unusual about your bowel movements, it is worth taking a closer look. So, if you are wondering, “why does my poop float,” this article will examine some of its causes and whether you should visit a doctor for it.
Why Does My Poop Float?
You may have noticed that your poop usually sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl, but is now floating on the water’s surface. The good news is that this is not usually a sign that something is wrong.
Floating stools can be a sign of too much gas inside your stool due to your diet. Eating certain foods can cause your digestive system to break them down into gaseous byproducts. This is true if you have a high-fiber diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables; a healthy diet as recommended by experts.
In this case, there is no need to worry about your poop floating, and it means your digestive system is working as intended, and there happens to be gas trapped in your stool.
However, certain conditions can cause your stool to float that may need medical attention.
Should I Be Worried?
Under certain circumstances, your poop floating can signal something wrong with your digestive system.
Steatorrhea can cause your stool to float. It is a condition where your body can’t absorb fat from your diet correctly, excreting it in your stool instead. Your poop floats in the toilet bowl because oils and fats are less dense than water. If you have excess, unabsorbed fat in your stool, it may also feel sticky or slippery and smell particularly bad.
You may have malabsorption, which indicates that your digestive system is not correctly extracting nutrients from your food. This could result from an enzyme disorder, a liver condition, or any number of other gastrointestinal problems.
Finally, if you see signs of blood in your stool, you should visit a doctor immediately. It can either be bright red or a darker shade, even black or tarry-looking. Any bleeding in your stool can be a sign of gastrointestinal diseases, such as diverticulitis, stomach ulcers, or intestinal polyps.
When To See A Specialist
In conclusion, you should not be worried about floating stools unless they are stinkier or more slippery than usual. If you feel like your stools have changed significantly, you should see a gastroenterologist. They specialize in treating issues that affect your digestive system and can take a closer look.
A doctor will ask you about the duration and type of symptoms and details about your diet, physical activity, and any medications you are taking. They can then recommend the appropriate lifestyle changes and medication to solve your problem if needed.
At the Gastroenterology Diagnostic Center, we have significant experience in treating gastrointestinal disorders. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with our board-certified gastroenterologists, please call us at (281) 357-1977. We will be happy to help you enhance your quality of life.