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What Causes Foul Smelling Stool?

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Posted on Tue, 6 May 2014
Question: Hi doctor. I am a obese 35 year old male. I have diet controlled diabetes and also have well controlled hypertension. I have for last 18 months have very fould smelling poo and also a feeling of not emptying my bowels. My poo has normal brown colour with no diarrea or blood. No weight loss or any other pain. Why would this be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Chronic bowels infection. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Chronic bacterial infection of intestines is the most probable reason of such strange smelling stool. Diet has also an impact to stool smell. I suggest you to start with diet improvement and probiotic intake. Please increase fiber rich products, avoid fatty foods, spicy foods, alcohol. If this wont help, you should consult your doctor and have stool test and stool culture test. Rifaximine treatment should be tried. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (4 minutes later)
So notjinh ro worry about? I am a very anxious person.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: From your description it seems that there is no reason to worry. Symptoms which can cause some concern are: diarrhea, constipation, blood in stool, weight loss, weakness, abdominal pain, bloating. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 minutes later)
Ok thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (0 minute later)
Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: You are welcome.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 minutes later)
Is constipation when nothing comes out?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 minute later)
Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: Yes, when there is no stool for few days. When there is no gas and stool, it is an obstruction.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (10 minutes later)
I am guessing this due to the amount you may eat? I sometimes feel no urge to go, because i dont have the feeling. Is it because i am holding it in too much? Sorry this ia my last queation
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: Even if you do not eat much, stool should appear at least once in two days. Please note that stomach acid, bile, pancreas acid are constantly secreted to the digestive tract. So even if there is no food taken, at least some loose stool should appear. Constipation can be caused by several things where diet is the most important one. Also stress, bacterial infection, hypothyroidism, medicines (antidepressants, ca-blockers) can cause constipation as well. Hope this will help. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 minute later)
Thanks appreciate. Your help. I was worriied about bowel cancer.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: You are far too young to even think about colon cancer. If there was no colon cancer in your family in young age (younger than 50), please forget about this cancer. Colon cancer is strongly associated with age. Most of colon cancer cases appears over the age of 50. Cases before this age are very rare and usually associated with hereditary cancer. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (0 minute later)
Oh thanks doctor!! I love you! Lol
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 minute later)
Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: You are welcome. Hope you will get well soon.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Causes Foul Smelling Stool?

Brief Answer: Chronic bowels infection. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Chronic bacterial infection of intestines is the most probable reason of such strange smelling stool. Diet has also an impact to stool smell. I suggest you to start with diet improvement and probiotic intake. Please increase fiber rich products, avoid fatty foods, spicy foods, alcohol. If this wont help, you should consult your doctor and have stool test and stool culture test. Rifaximine treatment should be tried. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.