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What Causes Undigested Food Fragments In Stool?
Question: I have had increasing problems with having undigested food in my stools and basically don't form stools. It's a lot of water and piles of loose poop. Do I have a liver problem?
Brief Answer:
Loose stools
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You have noticed your stools have been loose and that the food material is not fully digested. This concerns you because you are worried about liver disease. Liver disease would cause the color of your stool to change not the consistency. In your case if you are eating more vegetable matter then this is a result of higher fiber in your diet. We can't digest the fiber in vegetables and hence are stools appear loose and with undigested matter. Loose stools could also be due to fast transportation of food material through your GI tract and prevents full digestion of material. Some medications can cause this as also anxiety can accelerate GI tracts.
For your peace of mind I would recommend seeing your medical provider and be check for any GI problems. If you have not had a colonoscopy I strongly recommend one for screening you for colon cancer. Your current symptoms do not suggest cancer but as a doctor I would recommend regular screening to everyone after age 50
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Loose stools
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You have noticed your stools have been loose and that the food material is not fully digested. This concerns you because you are worried about liver disease. Liver disease would cause the color of your stool to change not the consistency. In your case if you are eating more vegetable matter then this is a result of higher fiber in your diet. We can't digest the fiber in vegetables and hence are stools appear loose and with undigested matter. Loose stools could also be due to fast transportation of food material through your GI tract and prevents full digestion of material. Some medications can cause this as also anxiety can accelerate GI tracts.
For your peace of mind I would recommend seeing your medical provider and be check for any GI problems. If you have not had a colonoscopy I strongly recommend one for screening you for colon cancer. Your current symptoms do not suggest cancer but as a doctor I would recommend regular screening to everyone after age 50
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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