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Having Foul Smelling Stools. Should I Worry?

Posted on Thu, 29 Aug 2013

Question: Hi doctor%2C %0A%0AI have had real foul smelling poo.%0A%0AIs there anythinh to worry bout%3F

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (25 minutes later)

Hello!

Thank you for the query.

There are several factors which have an impact to stool smell. The most important are food ingredients and intestinal bacteria.
Chronic bacterial infection of gastrointestinal tract can give bad smelling stools. Other possible symptoms with such infection are diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea.
If your stools are smelling bad only after particular foods, there is nothing to worry about. If your stools are bad smelling all the time, bacterial infection should be considered.

I suggest you to increase fiber XXXXXXX products, mineral water intake and start probiotic supplementation. If it wont help with the stools, you may have stool tests.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)

The smells have been ongoing for around 2 years. %0A%0AStool test has been done and came back negative. %0A%0AWhat else could it be%3F

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 minutes later)

How about stool culture test? Was it done as well? What about mentioned symptoms, do you have any?
Like I have said before, diet or infection are the most common reasons. So if infection was ruled out, diet seems to be the most probable reason. Please try to improve it (increase fiber XXXXXXX products like whole grain foods, fruits, vegetables; mineral water intake), decrease protein XXXXXXX products. Probiotic is also advisable.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (4 minutes later)

So finally do you think its life threatening%3F %0A%0APls reassure me%21 Lol.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (9 minutes later)

No, its not life threatening. Its not even a disease.
However (if you agree that your diet seems not to be the healthiest) such diet can after long time cause some large intestine issues including colon cancer (still all factors of this disease remain unknown). So its better to make the diet healthier.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 minutes later)

Ok thanks i also have type 2 diabtetes diet controlled.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (14 minutes later)

Well controlled diabetes should not cause any digestive tract problems. Especially diet controlled diabetes. Most common symptom of digestive tract being affected by diabetes is diarrhea. But the diseases needs last for a long time (like 10 years) and be not well controlled to cause such symptom.

So in conclusion, diabetes most likely has nothing to do with your stools. Fiber XXXXXXX products, vegetables and mineral water should not worsen you diabetes.

Hope this will help.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 minutes later)

Thanks for your help. Fantastic%21

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 minute later)

You are welcome.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar