Feces (feces) is a formed mass consisting of human waste, undigested particles, enzymes, bile components and various bacteria that live on the epithelial lining of the intestine and take part in the formation of immunity. Normally, feces should have a light brown color, the shape of a dense sausage and a mild characteristic odor. If an adult's stool becomes foul-smelling, in some cases this is due to dietary habits. Correcting the diet should help solve the problem, but if this does not happen, you need to consult a doctor and rule out pathologies of the digestive and excretory systems.
The pungent, putrid odor of feces can sometimes be associated with dietary patterns and rotting processes that some foods provoke. The “champions” among them are vegetables rich in phytoncides - all varieties of onions and garlic. If a person consumes them in increased quantities, the feces may acquire a fetid odor associated with the destruction of pathogenic flora, which may be present in small quantities in the intestinal mucous membranes. An increase in odor can be observed with frequent consumption of cabbage, legumes, and foods with a lot of fat.
Almost always, a foul odor appears if a person’s diet often contains foods that:
- contain a large number of chemical additives (stabilizers, flavor enhancers, flavorings, preservatives);
- were stored under unsuitable temperature or sanitary conditions;
- contain signs of packaging damage (swollen and dented cans, leaking bags, etc.).
Pay attention! If, simultaneously with the strong smell of feces, the patient develops other symptoms, such as vomiting, fever, or cramping pain in the lower abdomen, the most likely cause is foodborne illness (poisoning).
The smell of feces has changed: possible reasons
If a person eats right, but the stool has become foul-smelling, the cause may be disturbances in the functioning of the body that arise from internal pathologies or exposure to external factors.
Microflora disturbance
A condition in which the balance of beneficial and opportunistic microorganisms in the intestines is disturbed is called dysbiosis. Opportunistic pathogens are bacteria that are normally present in the human body in small quantities, but are in a latent state and do not cause harm to the body. When unfavorable conditions are created, opportunistic colonies begin to grow rapidly, which leads to intestinal infections, gastroenteritis and infectious intestinal colitis. Beneficial bacteria support normal digestion, take part in the formation of systemic and local immunity and increase the body's resistance to pathogens.
In almost 70% of cases, intestinal dysbiosis develops against the background of antibacterial or antimicrobial therapy, because drugs in this group destroy not only pathogenic but also beneficial bacteria. Pathology can be recognized by the following symptoms:
- changes in the odor and consistency of stool;
- flatulence, a feeling of bloating and distension in the intestines;
- rumbling in the stomach between meals;
- bad breath;
- frequent false urge to defecate.
In some cases, against the background of severe dysbiosis, a person may develop a skin rash, acne, and pimples. The smell of feces becomes fetid due to the prevailing pathogenic flora and their waste products.
To treat dysbiosis, a diet containing a large amount of fermented milk products (they contain lactobacilli necessary for the immune system) and plant fiber (cereals, vegetables, fruits) is prescribed. Drug treatment consists of taking bifid drugs (“ Bifidumbacterin», « Narine», « Normobakt», « Lactofiltrum»).
Food allergies
Allergies to certain foods can also cause human feces to suddenly develop a strong odor. The most popular food allergens are:
- honey and bee products;
- cow's milk (allergy is caused mainly by milk proteins - lactoglobulins);
- fish and seafood;
- citruses;
- chocolate and products with added butter or cocoa beans.
Food allergies can manifest themselves in different ways. The most typical skin manifestations are itching, rashes, dryness and flaking. Symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract are also possible: dyspepsia, pain in the abdominal area, diarrhea, flatulence. In clinically severe forms of food allergy, systemic signs of allergy are added: lacrimation, runny nose, sneezing, laryngospasm.
Allergy treatment is a long process. The initial stage is a comprehensive diagnosis, which includes immunological tests and tests to identify the allergen. Symptomatic therapy is carried out using histamine blockers (“ Claritin», « Suprastin», « Tavegil», « Loratadine"). Full recovery requires cleansing the intestines of waste and toxins, as well as special therapy, which consists of introducing microdoses of the allergen under the skin. This method allows you to develop stable immunity, as a result of which the body ceases to recognize the allergen as a foreign agent.
Enzyme deficiency
Enzymopathy is a pathology in which the production of digestive enzymes necessary for the absorption and breakdown of certain products is partially or completely stopped. It can be congenital or occur as a result of various disorders in the functioning of internal organs. One of the forms of fermentopathy in adults is lactase deficiency - a lack of the enzyme responsible for the absorption of milk sugar. Symptoms of lactase deficiency in patients over 18 years of age may include abdominal pain, foamy or watery stools with a strong, foul odor, and weight loss associated with poor absorption of milk protein.
All signs of pathology appear mainly after consuming fermented milk products or products based on whole cow's milk. It should be noted that true lactase deficiency is rarely diagnosed - such patients are forced to adhere to a special diet throughout their lives that excludes dairy products. Temporary lactase deficiency is treated with enzyme preparations (“ Lactazar», « Lactase»).
Foul-smelling stool with fever
If the fecal matter has become liquid, it has a sharp putrid odor, and your overall health has worsened; this may be a sign of an intestinal infection. They can be bacterial (salmonellosis, dysentery) or viral (rotavirus and enterovirus infection). The symptoms are the same in almost all cases: first, the patient experiences profuse vomiting containing particles of undigested food, after which the temperature rises (up to 39°-40°), foul-smelling diarrhea occurs, and symptoms of dehydration increase. General signs of intoxication, which include lack of appetite, nausea, drowsiness and weakness, persist with intestinal infections for 3-5 days, after which improvement occurs.
Treatment of any intestinal infections and poisoning is always comprehensive. The basis is detoxification and rehydration therapy. One of the dangers of dehydration is the rapid leaching of potassium and magnesium ions, which can lead to acute heart failure, therefore an important task in the treatment of ACI is the restoration of water and electrolyte balance. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed specialized salt mixtures, for example, “ Hydrovit" or " Regidron" Enterosorbents are used to remove bacteria and their toxins (“ Polyphepan», « Activated carbon», « Neosmectin»).
Further treatment is carried out using the following drugs:
- antidiarrheals (“ Lopedium», « Diara», « Loperamide»);
- centrally acting drugs to stop vomiting (“ Cerucal»);
- antimicrobial drugs with a broad spectrum of action (“ Nifuroxazide», « Enterofuril»);
- probiotics and prebiotics to populate the intestines with beneficial bacteria and restore the normal balance of microflora (“ Linux», « Bifiform»);
- antiviral drugs for viral infections (“ Ergoferon», « Arbidol»);
- antispasmodics to eliminate paroxysmal intestinal spasms (“ Drotaverine», « Spasmol»).
For the entire period of treatment, the patient is prescribed a gentle diet, excluding dairy products, chips and crackers with flavors, fatty, spicy and fried foods.
Pay attention! With properly selected therapy, normalization of stool should occur on the fifth day of treatment.
Strong smell of feces due to intestinal diseases
If a person feels well, but periodically notices that the excrement has a foul odor, it is necessary to examine the intestines to rule out diseases. First, you should take a stool test for helminths (including scraping for enterobiasis) and a coprogram. These studies will make it possible to determine the chemical composition of feces, detect signs of an inflammatory process and identify possible disorders in the digestive processes (for example, during inflammatory processes, an increased amount of detritus is detected in the feces).
After receiving the results of laboratory diagnostics, the doctor will make a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe additional examination, if there are indications for this. Secondary diagnostics may include hardware and instrumental methods, for example, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, ultrasound or irrigoscopy. In some cases, a consultation and examination by a proctologist may be required to make an accurate diagnosis.
Intestinal inflammation (colitis and enteritis)
The human intestine consists of two sections: the large and small intestine. The small intestine is located immediately after the stomach, and its inflammation is called enteritis. Inflammation of the epithelial lining of the large intestine is called colitis and occurs in every fourth patient with diseases of the digestive system. Foul-smelling feces in an adult are characteristic mainly of chronic colitis, since acute forms of the pathology occur with severe symptoms, and their clinical picture is similar to the symptoms of intestinal infections.
Chronic inflammation of the small or large intestine can occur for several reasons, including food and drug allergies, dietary errors, alcohol abuse, and smoking. Tumors in the intestines can also provoke an inflammatory process, so preventive endoscopic diagnosis is indicated for all people, regardless of their health, at least once a year.
Signs of chronic colitis or enteritis are:
- painful intestinal spasms accompanied by bloating and flatulence;
- bloating and pressure in the central or lower abdomen;
- nausea (rarely vomiting);
- unpleasant, pungent odor from excrement;
- bowel disorders.
Treatment of both pathologies involves a therapeutic diet (table No. 4 according to Pevzner), physiotherapy, and massage. Drug correction may consist of symptomatic drugs (carminatives based on simethicone, antispasmodics, antidiarrheal or laxative drugs), antibiotics. Also, patients are necessarily prescribed drugs that accelerate the healing of damaged mucous membranes (tablets " Methyluracil»).
Important! If inflammation occurs as a result of circulatory disorders in the intestinal vessels, the patient is additionally selected medications to prevent thrombosis (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants).
Intestinal candidiasis
Fungi of the genus Candida are opportunistic microorganisms, that is, they are normally present in the human microflora, but in small quantities, which does not allow the development of a fungal infection. If the body's protective functions are weakened, Candida begins to actively multiply and secrete toxins that cause acute intoxication and poison the intestines.
It is almost impossible to detect intestinal candidiasis without laboratory diagnostics, since there are usually no specific symptoms for this disease. The main manifestations of intestinal thrush are associated with changes in bowel movements and the appearance of stool. The patient may be bothered by frequent false urges to have a bowel movement, pain of varying intensity in the lower abdomen, and stool disorders. Feces with candidiasis become foul-smelling, it may contain white particles similar to cottage cheese, as well as a small amount of grayish mucus. Other symptoms of the disease include:
- lack of appetite, which occurs against the background of moderate nausea (in rare cases, single vomiting is possible as signs of intoxication of the body);
- itching in the anal ring during bowel movements;
- rumbling in the stomach;
- intestinal cramps;
- flatulence;
- flatulence syndrome (“explosive” release of large amounts of odorous gases).
Treatment of candidiasis is carried out with the help of antifungal drugs (in oral dosage form). Their list is given in the table below.
Antimycotics for the treatment of intestinal thrush in adults
| Name of medicine | Image | Application regimen and dosage |
|---|---|---|
 | 1 tablet 4 times a day for 7 days. Additionally, apply “Pimafucin” in the form of a cream to the anal area 1-2 times a day |
|
 | 400-800 mg per day for 1-2 weeks |
|
 | 1 tablet 3-4 times a day for 7-10 days |
To speed up the colonization of the intestinal mucous membranes with beneficial microflora and restore digestion, the use of prebiotics is indicated. During the period of treatment, you should limit your consumption of sugar, fatty foods, and foods that promote fermentation and decay.
Worm infestation
These could be:
- foul odor from stool;
- stool disorders (constipation may often occur, suddenly followed by diarrhea);
- pale skin;
- flatulence, bloating, rumbling in the stomach;
- cramping pain in the lower abdomen;
- headaches;
- reduction of the body’s general resistance (allergies, colds, etc.).
Treatment is carried out using anthelmintic drugs (“ Nemozol», « Vermox», « Levamisole», « Dekaris"), which must be taken strictly in a calculated dosage, which is determined based on the patient’s age and weight. In some cases, treatment may include iron supplements, since the worms in the intestines feed on blood, which can lead to the development of systemic anemia. The most popular drug for anemia caused by chronic helminthiasis is “ Ferrum Lek" You can increase your hemoglobin content by including meat products, fresh apples, pomegranate juice and buckwheat in your menu.
If the foul odor does not go away for a long time, it is necessary to go to the hospital, since the consequence of improper or untimely treatment of certain intestinal pathologies may be the need for partial removal of the small or large intestine.
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Chair or feces- This is the contents of the lower parts of the large intestine, which is the end product of digestion and is excreted from the body during bowel movements.
Individual stool characteristics can tell a lot about a person's health and help in making a diagnosis.
Below are interpretations of stool quality in normal and pathological conditions.
1. Number of bowel movements.
Norm: regularly, 1-2 times a day, but at least 1 time in 24-48 hours, without prolonged strong straining, painless. After defecation, the urge disappears, a feeling of comfort and complete bowel movement occurs. External circumstances can increase or inhibit the frequency of the urge to defecate. This is a change in the usual environment, a forced position in bed, the need to use a bedpan, being in the company of other people, etc.
Changes: Lack of bowel movements for several days (constipation) or too frequent bowel movements - up to 5 times or more (diarrhea).
2. Daily amount of feces
Norm: With a mixed diet, the daily amount of feces fluctuates within a fairly wide range and averages 150-400 g. Thus, when eating predominantly plant foods, the amount of feces increases, while in an animal that is poor in “ballast” substances, it decreases.
Changes: Significant increase (more than 600 g) or decrease in the amount of feces.
Reasons for increasing the amount of feces (polyfecal):
- Consuming large amounts of plant fiber.
- Increased intestinal peristalsis, in which food is poorly absorbed due to its too rapid movement through the intestinal tract.
- Disruption of digestive processes (digestion or absorption of food and water) in the small intestine (malabsorption, enteritis).
- Decreased exocrine function of the pancreas in chronic pancreatitis (insufficient digestion of fats and proteins).
- Insufficient amount of bile entering the intestines (cholecystitis, cholelithiasis).
Reasons for reducing the amount of feces:
- Constipation, in which due to prolonged retention of feces in the large intestine and maximum absorption of water, the volume of feces decreases.
- Reducing the amount of food eaten or predominantly digestible foods in the diet.
3. Passing feces and floating in water.
Normal: feces should be released easily, and in water it should sink gently to the bottom.
Changes:
- If there is insufficient amount of dietary fiber in food (less than 30 grams per day), feces are released quickly and splash into the water of the toilet.
- If the stool floats, this indicates that it has an increased amount of gases or contains too much undigested fat (malabsorption). Also, stool may float if you eat a lot of fiber.
- If the stool is difficult to wash off with cold water from the walls of the toilet, it means it contains a large amount of undigested fat, which happens with pancreatitis.
4. Stool color
Normal: With a mixed diet, the stool is brown. Breastfed babies have golden-yellow or yellow stools.
Change in stool color:
- Dark brown - with a meat diet, constipation, impaired digestion in the stomach, colitis, putrefactive dyspepsia.
- Light brown - with a dairy-vegetable diet, increased intestinal motility.
- Light yellow - indicates too rapid passage of feces through the intestines, which do not have time to change color (diarrhea) or impaired bile secretion (cholecystitis).
- Reddish - when eating beets, when bleeding from the lower intestines, for example. for hemorrhoids, anal fissures, ulcerative colitis.
- Orange – when consuming the vitamin beta-carotene, as well as foods high in beta-carotene (carrots, pumpkin, etc.).
- Green - with a large amount of spinach, lettuce, sorrel in food, with dysbacteriosis, increased intestinal motility.
- Tarry or black - when eating currants, blueberries, as well as bismuth preparations (Vikalin, Vikair, De-Nol); with bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer, cirrhosis, colon cancer), with ingestion of blood during nosebleeds or pulmonary bleeding.
- Greenish-black - when taking iron supplements.
- Grayish-white stool means that bile is not entering the intestines (bile duct blockage, acute pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver).
5. Consistency (density) of feces.
Normal: shaped and soft. Normally, stool consists of 70% water, 30% from the remains of processed food, dead bacteria and desquamated intestinal cells.
Pathology: mushy, dense, liquid, semi-liquid, putty-like.
Change in stool consistency.
- Very dense feces (sheep) - for constipation, spasms and stenosis of the colon.
- Mushy feces - with increased intestinal motility, increased secretion in the intestines during inflammation.
- Ointment-like - for diseases of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis), a sharp decrease in the flow of bile into the intestines (cholelithiasis, cholecystitis).
- Clay or putty-like feces are gray in color - with a significant amount of undigested fat, which is observed when there is difficulty in the outflow of bile from the liver and gallbladder (hepatitis, blockage of the bile duct).
- Liquid – in case of impaired digestion of food in the small intestine, impaired absorption and accelerated passage of feces.
- Foamy - with fermentative dyspepsia, when fermentation processes in the intestines prevail over all others.
- Loose stools like pea puree - with typhoid fever.
- Liquid, colorless stools like rice water - with cholera.
- When the stool has a liquid consistency and frequent bowel movements, one speaks of diarrhea.
- Liquid-mushy or watery stools can occur with high water consumption.
- Yeasty stool - indicates the presence of yeast and may have the following characteristics: curdled, foamy stool like rising sourdough, may have threads like melted cheese, or have a yeasty odor.
6. Shape of feces.
Standard: cylindrical, sausage-shaped. The stool should come out continuously, like toothpaste, and be about the length of a banana.
Changes: ribbon-shaped or in the form of dense balls (sheep feces) is observed with insufficient daily water intake, as well as spasms or narrowing of the large intestine.
7. The smell of feces.
Normal: fecal, unpleasant, but not harsh. It is due to the presence of substances in it that are formed as a result of bacterial breakdown of proteins and volatile fatty acids. Depends on the composition of the food and the severity of the processes of fermentation and decay. Meat foods give off a pungent odor, while dairy foods give off a sour odor.
If digestion is poor, undigested food simply rots in the intestines or becomes food for pathogenic bacteria. Some bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide, which has a characteristic rotten odor.
Changes in stool odor.
- Sour – for fermentative dyspepsia, which occurs with excessive consumption of carbohydrates (sugar, flour products, fruits, peas, etc.) and fermented drinks, such as kvass.
- Fetid - with impaired pancreatic function (pancreatitis), decreased flow of bile into the intestines (cholecystitis), hypersecretion of the large intestine. Very foul-smelling stool may be due to bacterial overgrowth
- Putrefactive – in case of indigestion in the stomach, putrefactive dyspepsia associated with excessive consumption of protein products that are slowly digested in the intestines, colitis, constipation.
- The smell of rancid oil is due to bacterial decomposition of fats in the intestines.
- Faint odor - with constipation or accelerated evacuation from the small intestine.
8. Intestinal gases.
Normal: Gases are a natural byproduct of the digestion and fermentation of food as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract. During and outside of bowel movements, 0.2-0.5 liters of gas are removed from the intestines of an adult per day.
The formation of gas in the intestines occurs as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms inhabiting the intestines. They decompose various nutrients, releasing methane, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. The more undigested food enters the colon, the more active the bacteria are and the more gases are produced.
An increase in the amount of gases is normal.
- when eating large amounts of carbohydrates (sugar, baked goods);
- when eating foods that contain a lot of fiber (cabbage, apples, legumes, etc.);
- when consuming foods that stimulate fermentation processes (brown bread, kvass, beer);
- when consuming dairy products if you are lactose intolerant;
- when swallowing large amounts of air while eating and drinking;
- when drinking large amounts of carbonated drinks
An increase in the amount of gases in pathology.
- Enzyme deficiency of the pancreas, in which food digestion is impaired (chronic pancreatitis).
- Intestinal dysbiosis.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
- Chronic liver diseases: cholecystitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis.
- Chronic intestinal diseases – enteritis, colitis
- Malabsorption.
- Celiac disease.
Difficulty in passing gases.
- intestinal obstruction;
- intestinal atony with peritonitis;
- some acute inflammatory processes in the intestines.
9. Stool acidity.
Normal: with a mixed diet, acidity is 6.8–7.6 pH and is due to the vital activity of the colon microflora.
Changes in stool acidity:
- sharply acidic (pH less than 5.5) – with fermentative dyspepsia.
- acidic (pH 5.5 - 6.7) - if the absorption of fatty acids in the small intestine is impaired.
- alkaline (pH 8.0 - 8.5) - with rotting of undigested food proteins and activation of putrefactive microflora with the formation of ammonia and other alkaline substances in the colon, with impaired pancreatic secretion, colitis.
- sharply alkaline (pH more than 8.5) - for putrefactive dyspepsia.
Normally, feces should not contain blood, mucus, pus, or undigested food residues.
The parameters of a baby's stool are one of the most important indicators of the correct functioning of his body. Changes in the color, smell and consistency of stool are a response to changes in the baby’s diet and condition. What should a healthy newborn's stool smell like? And for what reasons do deviations from the norm occur?
Breastfeeding norms
In the first 2-3 days after birth, the baby's feces are called firstborn or meconium. It consists of ingested amniotic fluid, epithelial cells and other substances. Meconium, characterized by a tarry consistency and black-green color, has no aroma.
Until the 10th day of life, the mucous membranes of the newborn are actively colonized by bacterial flora, and his intestines adapt to mother's milk. During this period, transitional stool is greenish in color and has a mushy, liquid consistency. It smells sour.
Subsequently, a stable individual defecation schedule is established. The baby's feces become mature. Its main characteristics are:
- yellow
- homogeneous consistency with minor inclusions of mucus and white flakes (undigested milk)
- thickness of sour cream
- unobtrusive odor reminiscent of kefir, cottage cheese or sour milk
The appearance of the stool of a breastfed baby depends on the mother's menu. Slight deviations from the given standards are possible. They should not frighten parents if the baby is gaining weight and does not show signs of anxiety.
Norms for formula feeding and complementary feeding
In a bottle-fed newborn, formed feces appear immediately after the passage of meconium. It has a thick, uniform consistency, a dark yellow or brown color and a typical odor, but not too pungent or putrid. A newborn's bowel movements occur 1-3 times a day.
Regardless of the type of feeding, after the introduction of complementary foods, the baby’s stool begins to gradually approach “adult” parameters. At the stage of adaptation to a new type of diet, pieces of undigested vegetables and fruits may appear in the stool, and their smell will be sour. If the baby does not suffer from tummy pain, gas or skin rash, then complementary feeding does not need to be cancelled. Over time, his gastrointestinal tract will adjust to solid foods.
Possible deviations
Sudden changes in the properties of feces or its uncharacteristic appearance from the first days are a reason for more careful monitoring of the baby. If the smell is very sour, pungent, putrid, swampy or reminiscent of the aroma of rotten eggs, and the discharge itself is green, gray or black in color and has a liquid or too hard consistency, then most likely the baby’s health is not in order.
Possible causes of deviations in stool parameters:
- nutritional imbalance
- constipation
- allergic reaction to a nursing mother's food or formula
- dysbacteriosis
- lactase deficiency
- infectious diseases
Imbalance in nutrition
The appearance of watery, foamy stools with a sharp sour odor is a possible sign that the baby is receiving too much foremilk with a high sugar content. This is also indicated by anxiety during feeding and irritation around the baby's anus. But he is gaining weight normally.
To eliminate this problem, you need to hold the baby at one breast for 15-20 minutes or express a little milk before feeding. Thanks to this, the baby will be able to reach hind milk, which contains the substances it needs.
Allergy
The most obvious symptom of a food allergy is an itchy rash on the body. But in a newborn, this disease may also be accompanied by problems with stool. The feces become frequent, green, watery, foul-smelling, mixed with mucus and sometimes blood (in a reaction to cow's milk).
An inappropriate mixture can provoke such a picture during artificial feeding. It is better to choose it together with your pediatrician. Most likely, the baby will have to be switched to a hypoallergenic formula in which cow's milk protein is additionally split or replaced with goat's milk. Treatment with antihistamines may also be necessary.
If the baby receives only breast milk, then the mother needs to reconsider her diet. Food intolerance is very individual, but most often allergies are caused by such treats as whole milk, coffee, factory-made baked goods, caviar, ready-made sauces, chocolate, crayfish, strawberries, and so on. Also, a nursing woman should avoid any dishes with synthetic flavors, dyes, preservatives and other harmful substances. All kinds of “chemistry” in food products have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the baby’s gastrointestinal tract, and his stool develops an unpleasant odor.
Mother’s overuse of vegetables and fruits can also lead to irritation of the intestinal mucosa: fruits contain not only vitamins, but also acids that pass into milk.
Lactase deficiency
Very sour stool odor may be a consequence of lactase deficiency, that is, a lack of the enzyme responsible for the absorption of milk sugar. In addition to the aroma, signs of this condition include foam in the stool, green color and wateriness, as well as increased gas formation. The process of defecation is usually accompanied by a loud “pop”, the baby does not gain weight very well, and diaper rash appears on his buttocks. The diagnosis is confirmed by examining stool for carbohydrates.
To begin with, doctors recommend reducing the amount of whole milk in the diet of a nursing mother. If this does not help, then the lactase enzyme is prescribed. When artificial feeding, a low-lactose mixture is selected.
In most cases, by 9-12 months, the baby’s body begins to produce a sufficient amount of the necessary enzymes. The only exceptions are severe cases of lactase deficiency due to genetic characteristics.
Dysbacteriosis
Dysbacteriosis is an imbalance of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines. In infants, it manifests itself in the form of rapid, liquid, green stools with foam, mucus and a foul odor. The baby suffers from flatulence and is not gaining weight very well.
This condition is diagnosed based on clinical manifestations and stool microflora analysis. Many experts consider this analysis uninformative, so they focus primarily on the condition of the baby. If there are real problems with his health and development, then a course of probiotic medications is prescribed.
There is no need to stop breastfeeding during treatment, because milk contains elements that accelerate the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. And “artificial” children are prescribed a medicinal mixture with pre- and probiotics.
Constipation
Constipation is a problem that formula-fed babies often face. Its signs:
- stool less than once a day
- hard stool that smells like rotten eggs
- painful bowel movements
The problem can be solved with the help of fermented milk mixture or laxatives prescribed by a doctor. In addition, it is important not to overfeed the baby.
Constipation is rare during breastfeeding. In the first months of life, the baby can have a bowel movement once every 3-5 days. But if at the same time there is a soft stool, and the baby does not have a tummy ache, then there is no need to worry: the milk is simply absorbed without residue.
If there are characteristic signs of constipation, then the mother should pay attention to her menu. Protein products and refined foods help “strengthen” the intestines, while fresh kefir, apricots, prunes and beets “loosen” it.
Infections
A sudden change in the smell of stool to a sharp and putrid one, accompanied by pain, vomiting and fever, may indicate the development of an infectious disease in an infant. The discharge is very liquid, frequent and unusual in color (gray, bright green).
In infancy, intestinal inflammation is most often caused by rotaviruses. The main danger of this condition is dehydration. Therefore, if alarming signs appear, it is necessary to call a doctor and provide the baby with something to drink. This may include oral rehydration solutions or breast milk.
The uncharacteristic smell of an infant's stool can be one of the signals of emerging health problems. But don't panic. A real threat exists only if the little one feels very unwell. In all other situations, the problem can be solved with the help of minor corrections in the diet of the mother or baby.
In this video, the famous doctor Komarovsky will talk about intestinal infections in children.
The food consumed by a person influences the pigmentation of feces.
The greenish color of feces in an adult indicates that dyes have entered the body or there are serious problems in it that require immediate response.
The most common reasons for stool turning greenish are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
This is especially true for pathologies that are localized in the small intestine. The cause may be dysbacteriosis, blood diseases, liver pathologies, or long-term use of antibiotics.
Disturbance of intestinal microflora
The smell of rot is detected, causing disgust. This happens due to the fact that food does not have time to be digested in time and begins to decompose in the intestines. The intensity of the color is associated with an abundant number of leukocytes that died in the fight against the source of inflammation. When they leave the intestines, they mix with feces and give them a green color.
Dysentery
Infectious diseases may be one of the likely causes of greenish stool in an adult. Additionally, the patient will suffer from attacks of nausea, vomiting, intestinal pain and lethargy. In this case, the stool will have a liquid consistency, and the body will quickly dehydrate. The disease requires urgent medical attention and treatment in an inpatient department.
Bleeding
It can begin in any of the intestinal sections. The presence of greenish feces is characteristic of a gastric ulcer or cancer that affects the digestive system. Its coloring is explained by the destruction of iron in blood cells - erythrocytes. The process is accompanied by anemia with rapid heartbeat, weakness and difficulty breathing.
What causes stool to turn green?
When a similar color of stool is observed during bowel movements, this is not always considered a deviation from the norm. If a healthy person eats large quantities of foods containing green dye, the feces will immediately turn this color.
This phenomenon can be explained simply - the dye is not recycled It is not absorbed by gastric juice or in the intestines. It is eliminated from the body naturally. The intensity of the color will directly depend on how much pigment enters the body.
The greenish tint to stool is given by:
- sweets, marmalade, jellies containing dyes;
- vegetable or fruit puree;
- red bean variety;
- different types of greens and cabbage;
- cereals and cereals made from them;
- fruit juices;
- fish from sea waters;
- red meat;
- black licorice.
If you stop consuming foods from this list, the color of your stool will normalize within 2-3 days. Otherwise, greenish feces will be considered a pathology and will require a diagnosis and treatment.
Why does feces smell?
Feces that give off a fetid, repulsive odor signal the development of serious pathological changes in the body. In rare cases, this is due to a violation of the diet.
Sometimes the cause of foul-smelling stool is considered to be alcohol intoxication. After abusing high-alcohol drinks the body removes toxins, which contributes to the appearance of a sharp and disgusting odor, and the stool itself turns dark green.
If greenish, runny stool appears, this is a sign of dysentery or diarrhea. The thinner it is, the stronger the unpleasant odor. If it smells rotten, the body is affected by an intestinal infection or there is blood in the stool, which may indicate oncology or peptic ulcer disease.
A sour smell indicates that a fermentation process is taking place in the intestines or that nutrients are poorly absorbed by its walls.
If the intestinal microflora is disturbed, greenish stool is also accompanied disgusting smell of rot. The color of stool is determined by the presence of dead leukocytes in it, which accumulated during the period of inflammation.
The process of digesting food occurs with noticeable difficulties, which provokes the release of a putrid odor and the activation of fermentation of poorly processed foods in the intestines.
Among the causes of foul-smelling stool are also Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis, insufficient intestinal absorption, and the presence of short small bowel syndrome.
What treatment is needed?
In most cases, greenish stools are liquid consistency. To get rid of diarrhea, it is first recommended to review your menu. Consumption of fermented milk products, fatty foods, and exotic fruits contributes to the appearance of diarrhea.
You should avoid them for a while. You cannot eat processed foods, foods with additives, dyes, or drink carbonated drinks.
The body loses a lot of water at this time - these reserves need to be replenished with the help of compotes and strong tea without sugar. Cleanses the body solution "Regidron", "Smecta"or activated carbon. If the temperature is elevated and green stool is accompanied by vomiting, you should urgently call a doctor.
Timely assistance is the key to successful recovery.
Only children and people with limited thinking can giggle when it comes to defecation. An adult should understand the fact that feces is the end product of the breakdown of nutrients and a reflection of the health of the digestive tract, as well as the entire body. Sometimes a dangerous symptom is bowel movement in the form of mushy stool.
On average, a healthy person has no more than three bowel movements per day. In this case, the total mass of adult feces ranges from 200 to 900 grams. This is a mixture consisting of approximately equal proportions of residual nutrients, waste digestive juices and microorganisms.
An increase in the volume and weight of feces occurs due to increased fluid consumption or in diseases associated with impaired digestion of food. Normally, stool, according to the Bristol scale, should look like a soft, smooth sausage without lumps or inclusions and have an unpleasant but not foul odor. In other cases, we may be talking about deviations in the functioning of the digestive system. However, many people sometimes only dream about ideal bowel movements.
Feces are a multicomponent product of the vital activity of the intestines, digestive glands and microflora
Causes of mushy stools
Quick release of feces is not always the norm. Pasty feces, frequent urge to defecate, unformed stools - all this can be a symptom of a pathological condition. Such ease of emptying, repeated regularly day after day, is often fraught with danger.
What your stool can tell you: video
Frequent, mushy, sometimes profuse stools:
Excessive fluid intake can also be one of the reasons for the appearance of mushy stool. But there is another aspect of the occurrence of such a chair. This is insufficient absorption and absorption of fluid by the body, which leads to dehydration. It should be remembered that many diseases change the nature of stool. And it is softened, sometimes liquid stools that are evidence of such conditions. Unfortunately, there are many reasons:
Mushy-looking stools may be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Sometimes dense, sometimes hard particles of feces are released accompanied by thick mucus or foul-smelling liquid.
Density
Pasty stools can vary in nature:
- Foamy stool indicates the presence of fermentation processes in the body. It can appear with heavy consumption of beer and kvass;
- with a sharp decrease in the flow of bile into the intestines due to the presence of stones or inflammation of the pancreas, ointment-like loose feces may be observed;
- loose, porridge-like stools are present when food is digested in the small intestine for various reasons, as well as due to the accelerated passage of feces;
- liquefied stool like pea puree may be evidence of a dangerous disease such as typhoid fever;
- colorless stool with the consistency of rice water is a characteristic sign of cholera;
- the presence of clay inclusions or gray masses in the stool is observed when there is a difficult outflow of bile from the liver and gallbladder, which leads to impaired breakdown of fats;
- Watery stools may be evidence of heavy consumption of water or other liquids.
Color
In adults, the normal color of stool is considered to be from yellow-brown to dark chocolate, depending on the level of bilirubin (bile pigment) in it. In addition, stool may change color depending on the foods or medications consumed:
- orange color can be caused by eating large amounts of pumpkin, carrots, apricots, and citrus fruits;
- a reddish tint appears due to the consumption of beets and red currants;
- green feces appear after taking iron supplements, eating spinach, lettuce, sorrel, and fresh peas;
- black color occurs after consuming activated carbon, bismuth preparations, as well as large volumes of black currants, blueberries, and chokeberries.
In other cases, mushy stool of other abnormal colors is evidence of pathology:
Changes in the color of feces in each specific case should be assessed strictly individually, taking into account the patient’s age, state of health, diet and lifestyle, as well as the presence of other symptoms. If there is a sudden change in a person’s general well-being, you should not postpone your visit to the doctor.
Chair - health indicator - video
Smell
You should not only visually evaluate the type of feces. Depending on the presence of various diseases, the quality of the products consumed, and the severity of the digestion processes, feces have a certain smell:
Additional factors
Mushy feces may have additional characteristics:
If you experience such symptoms, you must immediately consult a doctor to identify the true cause and treat it.
Gas formation
The release of gases when emptying the rectum is normal. This is the result of the vital activity of various microorganisms that inhabit the human intestine. The volume of gases directly depends on the amount of undigested food entering the large intestine.
Normally, an increase in gases may occur against the background of:
- heavy consumption of sweets and baked goods;
- abundant consumption of foods containing fiber;
- eating large amounts of food that stimulates fermentation processes: bread, kvass, beer;
- swallowing large amounts of air while eating;
- consumption of carbonated drinks.
Causes of mushy stool - video
Diagnostic methods
Absolutely all stool indicators can tell about the presence of diseases, diet, presence of problems, and use of medications.
Feces help to make a diagnosis when other results of studies and analyzes are not able to do so. When diagnosing diseases, it is very important to promptly identify the nature of mushy stools. The main signs that allow us to judge the presence of infection are:
- increased body temperature;
- the presence of impurities in feces;
- severe dehydration of the body;
- mass occurrence of the disease.
Feces contain many components that can shed light on the cause of the disease During the study, the acid-base balance is determined:
- high acidity is due to the presence of fermentation processes;
- an alkaline environment occurs only with intense decay and lack of digestion of food.
In the process of searching for the cause of mushy stool, the following diagnostic measures are carried out:
The most common type of diagnosis is stool culture for dysbacteriosis. This study allows us to identify in the patient’s body not only the presence of pathogenic and opportunistic microbes, but also a possible deficiency of lacto- and bifidobacteria, which are necessary for normal life. To detect toxic substances, the method of gas-liquid chromatography of feces is used. It is based on the separation of biological material into parts followed by analysis of all components.
To find out the true reasons for the appearance of regular, long-lasting mushy stools, various studies of the abdominal organs are carried out: radiographic, ultrasound, tomographic.
Treatment
After conducting the necessary examination and identifying the causes of the disease, the doctor will prescribe adequate treatment. Typically, therapy is complex and consists of several components.
Drug therapy
The following medications will help normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, improve their functionality and restore the thickness of stool.
Pharmacological agents used to eliminate pasty stools - table
| Pharmacological group | Enterosorbents | Prebiotics | Antisecretory | Drugs to normalize peristalsis | Carminative | Antispasmodics | Antidepressants | Dietary supplements |
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If the cause of mushy stool is a serious illness, the doctor will prescribe medications to treat the corresponding condition. It is possible that antibiotics, pancreatic enzymes, sedatives and antifungals, and corticosteroids will be needed. In severe cases, hospitalization is necessary.
Drugs used to eliminate mushy stools - photo gallery
Bruskopan will relieve pain 
Colofort reduces gas formation in the intestines Trimedat slows down peristalsis Linex will quickly restore the intestinal microflora Omez helps restore the gastric mucosa Fevarin is often used in the treatment of depressive disorders Enterosorbents Polyphepan and Polysorb will help normalize stool
Traditional medicine recipes
There are a large number of traditional medicine recipes to alleviate the condition of a patient suffering from frequent bowel movements and pasty stools. The most popular recommendations are:
- Infusion of oak bark. Pour 1 tablespoon of plant material into a glass of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, then filter. The resulting drink is taken 1–2 tablespoons 3–5 times a day.
- Rice water. A thick broth is prepared from rice grains (preferably crushed) without adding salt, oil or seasonings. The resulting product is taken throughout the day, ¼ cup every 3-4 hours.
- Decoction of dried blueberries. One tablespoon of raw material is poured into a glass of hot boiled water, brought to a boil, and boiled for 5 minutes. The resulting drink is filtered and cooled. Take instead of tea several times a day.
- Chamomile tea. For one glass of water, take 1 tablespoon of plant material. The mixture is boiled for 10 minutes, cooled, and filtered. The resulting decoction is drunk as tea before meals 2–4 times a day.
- Decoction of pomegranate peel. The dried peel of the fruit is crushed. Pour 1 teaspoon of raw material into one liter of boiling water and cook in a water bath for 30–40 minutes. Cool, filter and consume 2 teaspoons 3–5 times throughout the day.
To consolidate the effect of the medications used, you can additionally use herbal teas based on medicinal herbs and plants:
- lemon balm;
- St. John's wort;
- mint;
- chamomile;
- bird cherry;
- carrot seeds;
- dill;
- fennel;
- ginger
Folk remedies for eliminating mushy stools - photo gallery
Products based on oak bark have a pronounced antimicrobial effect. Chamomile has a disinfectant property. Blueberries contain vitamin C and other useful substances. Pomegranate peel contains many useful substances.
Diet
If mushy stool appears, the following foods should be excluded from the diet:
- milk;
- fructose and sugar substitutes;
- legumes;
- carbonated drinks;
- fresh vegetables and fruits;
- herbs and spices;
- coffee;
- fatty foods;
- alcohol;
- baked goods;
- fresh bread;
- mushrooms;
- juices;
- canned food;
- smoked meats.
Foods that need to be excluded from the diet - photo gallery
Eating dishes made from legumes can lead to increased gas formation. Carbonated drinks can cause flatulence. Alcoholic drinks have a negative effect on the liver. Sweet confectionery products contain a lot of sugar and yeast. Smoked products increase the secretion of digestive juices.
The following products must be present in the diet:
- stale bread;
- crackers;
- boiled eggs;
- lean meats and fish;
- steamed and boiled dishes;
- compotes and jelly;
- bananas;
- quince;
- persimmon;
- cottage cheese;
- baked apples;
- pureed or slimy porridges;
- cream soup;
- lean broths;
- fresh carrots.
Rusks are healthier than rich pastries Kissel envelops the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines Persimmon contains vitamins and fiber Porridge is a product that is extremely beneficial for the intestines It is useful to include a hard-boiled egg in the first meal of the day
After long-term use of the diet, you should gradually switch to eating foods that were temporarily excluded from the diet. Fresh vegetables, fruits, berries and natural juices must be included in the menu with caution, in small portions.
Preventive measures
In order to prevent the appearance of softened, mushy stools, certain measures must be taken:
- drink only boiled or purified water;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- prepare food in accordance with sanitary standards and regulations.
An additional incentive for recovery will be giving up bad habits and leading a healthy lifestyle. Drinking plenty of fluids (at least 2 liters), eating small meals, and walking in the fresh air will help cope with problems. Yoga, swimming, race walking, and meditation will help relieve tension and get rid of the influence of negative environmental factors.
Race walking is an excellent method of preventing loose stools.
Consequences and complications
In the absence of timely treatment, the situation is fraught with serious consequences:
- deterioration of general condition;
- the appearance of painful sensations;
- vitamin deficiency;
- sudden weight loss;
- dehydration.
Any deviation from the norm is fraught with the development of pathological processes. Pasty stools are no exception. The presence of this problem requires medical intervention. Self-medication is unacceptable.