When you need to poop , you probably just do your business, flush and go. But before you flush, you should take a look at what actually comes out. It might not be the most pleasant ritual, but your poop can tell you a lot about your health. One important thing to pay close attention to is whether your poop sinks or floats in the toilet.
“Passing stool is part of the normal digestive process and is the body’s way of removing waste,” says Dr. Kenneth Josovitz, MD , a board-certified gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Woodbridge, Virginia.
But it’s important to note any changes, like floating poop or color, texture and frequency changes. It might be nothing to worry about, especially when things go back to normal quickly. But when these problems persist, it could signal that something is going on with your diet or gut health.
Here’s what you should know about floating vs. sinking poop, according to gastroenterologists, as well as when to see a doctor if you’re worried about your bowel habits.
Is It Better for Poop to Sink or Float?
Stool is denser than water, so it usually sinks into the toilet, Dr. Josovitz says. Sinking poop is considered normal, says Dr. Mejdi Ahmad, MD, Ahmad , a board-certified gastroenterologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan.
“Floating stools can occur if stool has plenty of gas or high fiber content,” Dr. Ahmad says. “Floating stools can occur occasionally or can occur consistently.”
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When your stool floats or is difficult to flush, it might also have excess fat, Dr. Josovitz says.
Usually, having a floating poop every once in a while isn’t anything to worry about, and things will typically go back to normal, according to Mount Sinai . It’s often related to diet, but it can also be a sign of a more serious medical problem, especially if you’re having other symptoms.
What Floating Poop Means
The occasional floating poop shouldn’t be cause for concern. But if it seems to happen a lot, talk to your doctor. Here are a few reasons your stool might float:
You’re eating too much fiber or gas-producing food
Fiber is good for your digestive system and can help keep you regular but eating too much can cause a few problems. Eating high-fiber foods can increase fermentation during digestion, which produces gas that can get trapped in your stool and make it float, according to the Mayo Clinic .
Related: These 10 Foods Have More Fiber Than a Bowl of Oatmeal
Eating foods that are especially high in fiber, like beans, broccoli or Brussels sprouts, may be more likely to produce gas, which might make your poop float.
If you find yourself eating extra fiber and noticing your poop is starting to float, cut back on these high-fiber foods, and your poop will likely start to sink again, Dr. Ahmad says.
Your body isn’t absorbing nutrients well
Malabsorption is when your body can’t absorb nutrients from your food, and it can refer to several different health conditions, according to the Cleveland Clinic . You might have carbohydrate, fat or protein malabsorption, and stools that float are a common symptom, according to the National Library of Medicine .
For example, when fats aren’t absorbed in your small intestine, they pass to your colon and cause fatty stools, which is known as steatorrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic . Fatty stools are greasy, extra smelly and float. They may also be light-colored.
Lactose intolerance is another type of malabsorption. This is an inability to metabolize the sugar found in milk and other dairy. “Lactose intolerance produces gaseous-filled stool which can float,” Dr. Ahmad says.
You have an infection
Some GI infections can cause floating stools. Giardia infection is caused by a parasite that you might come in contact with through contaminated water, food or surfaces. It can cause odorous, greasy stools that float, Dr. Ahmad says. You might also experience gas, cramps and nausea, according to the Mayo Clinic .
You have a GI condition
Floating stools can be a symptom of several gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease or diverticulitis, Dr. Josovitz says. Research shows that 26% of patients with functional bowel disorders experienced floating stools.
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These conditions typically bring other symptoms, too. For instance, IBS can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and cramps.
You have a problem with your pancreas
Pancreatitis or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition that happens when your body doesn’t produce enough pancreatic enzymes and can’t digest food, can cause malabsorption, Dr. Ahmad says. “This can lead to oily, shiny stool that may be too difficult to flush.”
Floating stool could also be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Other symptoms can include light-colored poop, belly pain, weight loss, dark-colored urine and yellowing of the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic .
When to See a Doctor
Periodically peeking at your poop is a good idea to learn what’s normal for you. Then, when something changes, you’ll know to take note, Dr. Josovitz says.
“Talk to your doctor if there is a change in typical bowel patterns such as chronic diarrhea or constipation, weight loss, abdominal pain, blood in the stool or unusually pale or dark stools,” he adds.
Stools that consistently float with each bowel movement are another reason to see a doctor, Dr. Ahmad says.
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