A child has mushy stools. Stool disorders in adults: looking for the cause of mushy stool

Most adults are accustomed to the fact that human stool should be hard, densely formed, and brownish in color.

And when the stool becomes liquid, panic arises, what to do?

First you need to find out why loose stools appeared, and only then sound the alarm if necessary.

Loose stools or diarrhea

Loose stools are a normal state of the body, which is accompanied by the excretion of large amounts of liquid feces due to the physiological needs of the body. A person should have stool every day or twice a day, but not more often. Normally, stool has a dense consistency, but sometimes it is slightly runny, but not watery. If a person has bowel movements more often than 3-4 times a day, then we can already talk about diarrhea or diarrhea.

Diarrhea is a symptom of malfunctioning intestines or diseases of the body.

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between these two concepts, but it is possible. To do this, it is necessary to take into account such criteria as:

• stool frequency;
• consistency;
• color and smell;
• side symptoms (stomach cramps, flatulence, pain during bowel movements, weakness, nausea);
• the presence of inclusions in the stool (pus, blood, undigested food debris).

Depending on what indicators are missing or do not correspond to the norm, we can say that this is loose stool, but not diarrhea, or vice versa.

To distinguish loose stools from diarrhea, you can use the table below.

Criterion	Loose stool	Diarrhea (diarrhea)
Frequency of bowel movements	1-2 times a day	3-4 times a day or more often
Consistency	Pasty	Liquid
Color	Dark yellow to brown	Yellow, red (with blood), white, black, brown
Peculiarities	Uniformity	Heterogeneity, presence of foam
Presence of inclusions	Possible clear mucus	Clear or green mucus, undigested food
Smell	Characteristic	Harsh, fetid, sour

If all parameters show that this is loose stool, then the adult has no reason to worry. But if diarrhea is diagnosed, it is better to consult a doctor to avoid the undesirable consequences of this phenomenon. He will tell you what to do in this case and how to treat diarrhea.

What causes loose stools?

The reasons for the appearance of daily loose stools can be completely different. Namely:

Diarrhea differs from loose stools in that there is a lot of watery discharge, trips to the toilet occur more than five times a day, the stomach constantly hurts and weakness is felt, symptoms of intoxication are noted, namely:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• pale skin;
• darkening of urine;
• temperature increase;
• stool mixes with mucus, pus, or even blood.

Diarrhea is already a sign of a serious illness, or a pathological condition of the digestive tract. Diarrhea can be caused by:

1. Infectious diseases such as cholera, salmonellosis, shigelosis, typhoid fever. Each of these diseases will differ in the nature of the stool, its consistency, color, smell; tenesmus and characteristic symptoms of the disease may be present.
2. Viral hepatitis.
3. Gastrointestinal bleeding. They are extremely dangerous for the body and are characterized by characteristic diarrhea.
4. Operations on the digestive organs: pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver.
5. Crohn's disease.
6. Diverticulosis.
7. Nonspecific ulcerative colitis.
8. Bowel cancer.

If the cause of frequent loose stools is one of these diseases, then you should immediately consult a doctor to stop the disease at an early stage.

One of the main causes of constipation and diarrhea is use of various medications. To improve bowel function after taking medications, you need to do it every day. drink a simple remedy ...

Child chair

Young mothers always panic when they see something in their baby that they are not used to noticing in themselves. And in vain.

A child's chair has different characteristics than an adult's. The baby may have bowel movements up to 15 times after each meal, and this is normal.

Frequent loose stools in infants are due to the immaturity of the food system. When the baby begins to eat like adults, then his stool will be similar to theirs. It is important to say that the consistency and color of feces in babies is unstable. It may be yellow, light yellow, with white specks, but absolutely odorless. Moreover, it should not normally be smelly. If, despite frequent bowel movements, the baby remains cheerful and continues to eat well and gain weight, then there is no reason to worry. It's just loose stools, not diarrhea.

Diagnostics

If your stool becomes profuse, there are various kinds of impurities and the general condition of the body leaves much to be desired, then this is a reason to consult a doctor.

The specialist will prescribe tests and examinations that will help determine the cause of this phenomenon. A coprogram, test for eggworms, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, colonoscopy, endoscopy will help you find out what could be causing the liquid stool.

Further treatment will be aimed not only at eliminating the symptoms, but also at eliminating the cause of this failure.

Treatment

Having identified a disease that has caused the appearance of liquid or semi-liquid feces, the doctor will prescribe drug treatment with antibiotics, anthelmintic drugs, enzymes, hormones, or whatever the circumstances require. But the most important thing and the first thing the doctor will prescribe is diet. The diet for loose stools and diarrhea should be as follows:

Can	Product group	It is forbidden
Wheat bread crackers, day-old white bread, dry biscuits	Bread and flour products	Other bakery products
In low-fat, weak meat or fish broth with the addition of mucous decoctions of cereals, steamed quenelles and meatballs	Soups	Soups with cereals, vegetables, pasta, dairy, strong and fatty broths
Lean meats, skinless poultry, steamed or boiled cutlets, quenelles, meatballs. Minced meat with boiled rice. Boiled meat soufflé	Meat and poultry	Fatty meats, pieces of meat, sausages, smoked meats and other meat products
Low-fat types of fresh fish, pieced or chopped (quenelles, meatballs, cutlets), steamed or boiled in water	fish	Fatty species, salted fish, caviar, canned food
Freshly prepared calcined or unleavened mashed cottage cheese, steam soufflé	Dairy	Whole milk and other dairy products
Boiled and steam pureed	Vegetables
Puree porridge with water or low-fat broth - rice, oatmeal, buckwheat, cereal flour	Cereals	Millet, pearl barley, barley, pasta, legumes
Up to 1-2 per day, soft-boiled, steam omelet and in dishes	Eggs	Hard-boiled, raw, fried eggs
Jelly and jelly from blueberries, dogwoods, bird cherry, quince, pears. Mashed raw apples. Sugar – limited	Fruits, sweet dishes, sweets	Natural fruits and berries, honey, jam and other sweets
Tea, especially green tea. Decoctions of rose hips, dried blueberries, black currants, bird cherry, quince. If tolerated, diluted fresh juices, except grapes, plums and apricots	Beverages	Coffee and cocoa with milk, carbonated and cold drinks

In addition to diet, it is important to lead an active lifestyle and stick to a daily routine. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, loose stools will soon acquire a normal consistency and will no longer bother you.

Video: How to stop diarrhea?

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, according to the Bristol scale, stool 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 feces 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 such symptoms occur, it is necessary to urgently 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 detect 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	Biologically active additives
Examples of drugs	Smecta; Absorbent carbon; Polysorb; Polyphepan; Filtrum.	Bificol; Lactobacterin; Lysobacter; Riolaflora Balance; Bifiform; Halicforte.	Nolpaza; Omeprazole; Emaner.	Sulgin; Furazolidone; Enterol; Imodium; Enterofuril; Intetrix; Phthalazol; Nitrofungin.	Pepsan-R; Motilium; Espumisan;	Duspatalin; No-shpa; Halidor; Drotaverine; Papaverine; Took; Spazgan.	Imipramine; Amitriptyline; Fluoxetine; Sertalitin;	Loklo; Bifidophilus; Nutrikon; Litovita; Gastrophilin.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 actions

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.

Feces, feces, or feces is a byproduct of digestion. Food mixtures with bile from the liver and digestive enzymes from the pancreas provide the possibility of enzymatic breakdown (digestion) of proteins, carbohydrates and fats of food in suspension. The suspension passes through the small intestine, where nutrients and much of the water are absorbed into the blood. Liquid waste is passed into the large intestine. In the large intestine, some more water is absorbed and feces are formed. Normal stool contains bacteria, undigested food, cellulose from undigested plant products, and bile.

More than 900 ml of fluid - saliva, gastric juice, gallbladder, pancreas and intestinal secretions - enter the gastrointestinal tract every day. About 500-1500 ml of this fluid reaches the large intestine, and only about 150 ml is excreted in the stool (feces). Water and electrolytes are absorbed in both the small and large intestines. The large intestine can only absorb about 300 ml; if the amount of water exceeds this volume, the stool becomes liquid and causes diarrhea. Figure 1 shows the volumes of fluid secreted and absorbed by individual organs of the gastrointestinal tract during the day. There is no single definition of normal stool. There is a whole spectrum of what can be considered normal, and the regularity of bowel movements varies from person to person. There are, however, several signs that the stool is no longer within your personal normal range and should be discussed with your doctor.

Many people believe that normal bowel movement is one bowel movement every day, but this is not true for everyone. There is no rule for the frequency of bowel movements, the general range is from 3 times a day to 3 times a week. Less than 3 bowel movements per week indicates constipation, and more than 3 bowel movements per day and watery stools reflect diarrhea.

Size and shape of stool

For self-orientation about the state of the gastrointestinal tract, English gastroenterologists proposed a scale table of stool (stool) forms - the Bristol scale of stool forms - is a self-diagnostic chart that helps patients characterize their bowel movements without embarrassment or embarrassment. The Bristol Stool Shape Scale is now used throughout the world as a tool for assessing the intestines and digestive system.

Based on the Bristol Stool Shape Scale, normal stool should be soft and easy to pass, although some people may have harder or softer stool than others. The stool should be brown or golden brown in color, formed, have a texture similar to peanut butter, and be similar in size and shape to a sausage. In many cases, if the stool changes slightly from what is described, there is no cause for concern, especially if it is an isolated incident. But if your stool suddenly changes and differs significantly from usual, this is a reason to visit a gastroenterologist.

Macroscopic analysis of stool can be a great help in diagnosing some diseases, but not enough to make definite conclusions about the presence or absence of some kind of digestive disease.

Some changes in the characteristics of feces are common to various diseases: colitis, tumors, benign polyps, hemorrhoids, poor nutrition, functional diseases. This means that the detection of an abnormal indicator in the feces should be considered taking into account the clinical condition of the patient and the final assessment should be made by a doctor who, if necessary, will refer to the appropriate specialists.

Indicators that should be taken into account during macroscopic analysis of stool.

Composition of stool

Feces consist of 75% water and 25% solids. The dry residue of the solid fraction varies greatly and consists of residues (fiber) of undigested cellulose. Fiber is very hygroscopic and it is they that retain water in the stool, which is why a diet low in protein produces soft, large stools, and a diet high in protein and lacking fiber (fiber) causes constipation. 30% of the dry weight of feces is due to bacteria of the intestinal microflora, 15% to inorganic substances (calcium and phosphates), 5% to fats and their derivatives. There are also small amounts of desquamated (desquamated) intestinal lining cells, mucus and digestive enzymes.

Thus, a significant part non-food stool masses and feces are formed even during fasting.

The weight of feces depends significantly on the nature of the diet, and, in particular, on the fiber content in it. With a normal diet, the normal value for the mass of feces excreted in adults is 150-300 g per 24 hours. Higher values ​​may occur with a vegetarian diet.

Stool color

Normal stool color ranges from light brown to dark brown. This is due to the chemical conversion of bilirubin and its metabolite stercobilin into urobilinogen by intestinal bacteria and enzymes. Bile is formed in the liver and released in the intestines, where it is involved in the digestion and absorption of food fats.

Let's look at what color stool can be painted and why.

Green feces

Gives green color to feces biliverdin , a precursor of bilirubin, which comes with bile and during rapid transit through the intestine does not have time to complete its complete metabolism by intestinal microflora. For this reason, diarrhea and laxative use cause stool to be greenish in color.

We find green color in stool when there is a predominance in the diet of leafy vegetables rich in chlorophyll (green plant pigment) - spinach, arugula, parsley, green beans, etc.

Additives containing chlorophyll and antibiotics give stool its green color.

Orange feces

The color of stool is determined by food and some medications. If you have beta-carotene-rich foods in your diet that have yellow-orange hues (carrots, pumpkin, apricots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, etc.), your stool will turn orange. Supplements containing this antioxidant pigment and consumption of rifampicin-based medications have the same effect on stool color.

Gray-white feces

The predominance of rice and other light cereals, potatoes in the diet, and taking antacids (based on aluminum hydroxide) can give the stool a white tint. According to the generally accepted concept, the color of stool is determined by the presence of bilirubin and its metabolites. Fecal hypochromia may reflect a violation of the flow of bile into the intestines (bile duct stones or cancer of the head of the pancreas), diseases of the liver or biliary tract and pancreas, in which there is a decrease in bilirubin content (cirrhosis, hepatitis and liver cancer).

Pale, shiny, and greasy stool is typical for steatorrhea. Steatorrhea is excess fat in the stool caused by intestinal malabsorption. This type of stool is a symptom of celiac disease.

Yellow feces

Yellow stool is a sign of the presence of fat in the stool. Fat in the stool may be associated with a disease of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis) and a deficiency of the enzyme lipase, which breaks down fats. Fatty stool is yellowish with a strong unpleasant odor.

Red feces

Red stool is a warning to the patient that he is bleeding.

However, red foods (tomato juice and tomatoes, red fruits and beets) can give stool its characteristic color. However, red stool is an alarming symptom of some kind of intestinal bleeding. The following options are possible.

Streaks of bright red blood that surrounds the stool and does not mix with the stool indicate bleeding from the rectum in the anal area (such blood is visible on toilet paper). The causes may be: hemorrhoids or anal fissures, but a malignant tumor in the last section of the intestine cannot be ruled out.

If the color of the blood is dark red, the blood is mixed with the stool, then this is an indicator of bleeding at the level of the large intestine. This kind of bleeding is observed with polyps, cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory and vascular diseases.

Gray and black feces

Dark gray stool may indicate the presence of metals such as iron (for example, with excessive consumption of chocolate and/or meat) or bismuth. Tarry black stool indicates the presence of partially digested blood (melena), which appears in the stool during bleeding from the upper digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum). Even minor bleeding from the small intestine and cecum of the large intestine can give the stool a blackish color.

If the stool is black, you must remember that activated carbon, licorice, blueberries and black olives, red beets, red and black grapes, red wine, etc. can turn the stool blackish and black. Unlike melena, such feces do not have a fetid, nauseating odor.

Constipation is usually associated with dark stool due to longer residence time in the colon, and diarrhea is associated with light-colored stool.

Stool smell

The smell of excrement is associated with the rotting of proteins and the metabolism of amino acids that are not absorbed in the small intestine by bacteria in the large intestine. As a result of the action of intestinal bacteria, indole, skatole, putrescine, cadaverine, etc. are formed, which give an unpleasant odor to feces.

Malabsorption occurs in celiac disease, pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal infections, inflammatory bowel diseases, liver and biliary tract diseases, etc. In some diseases, the digestion of especially sugars and starch is impaired, which reach the colon and are fermented by local flora with the formation of gases.

The smell of feces is definitely related to food and the health of our intestines. A balanced diet, eating small portions and taking care to avoid simultaneous intake of carbohydrates and proteins ("dissociated diet"), helps regulate digestion. It reduces bloating and flatulence and the stool retains its "distinctive" smell.

Mucus in stool e

Mucus in the stool is not always a pathological phenomenon. Mucus is secreted by the large intestine, and its function is to lubricate the stool, making it easier to slide through the anus. The color of the mucus is whitish or yellowish-white, and the consistency is similar to gelatin.

An increase in the presence of mucus in the stool is an indicator of pathological conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and bacterial colitis. In these cases, the mucus is accompanied by diarrhea and often bleeding. Increased mucus may be found in irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, allergies or food intolerances, and changes in the intestinal bacterial flora as a result of poor eating habits.

Excess mucus is present with polyps (especially the hairy type) and with tumors of the colon. In the latter case, the mucus is bright and/or mixed with traces of blood.

"Floating" feces

This phenomenon occurs when there is a fair amount of gas and fat inside the stool, the fat makes the gas less dense and the stool sticks to the walls of the toilet. This feature of feces is characteristic of diarrhea and in general for all situations with malabsorption, fermentation and gas formation in the intestines.

Many people have repeatedly encountered problems caused by sudden diarrhea and the need to quickly eliminate it. Of course, this is an unpleasant situation, so you need to understand the reasons and signs.

Diarrhea can be a sign of almost any disease and disorder that appears in the human body. This is how the human body sends a signal about emerging danger. If, after taking several tablets of activated carbon, no effect is observed, then you should immediately visit the doctor by going to the clinic at your place of residence.

Mushy morning stool is a consequence of the following reasons:

1. tuberculosis of various forms
2. intestinal infections
3. thyroid disorders
4. dysbacteriosis
5. various forms of tuberculosis
6. malabsorption syndrome
7. diseases of the digestive organs in severe forms
8. rectal cancer
9. excessive bowel motility
10. poor nutrition
11. kidney disease
12. insufficient digestibility of food
13. constant stress
14. allergic reactions
15. avitaminosis.

Of course, there could be many more reasons. But in any case, you should not leave the situation to chance when there is no effect from activated carbon. It is important to contact a specialist immediately.

Pasty stool in an adult

Many diseases change the frequency and nature of stool. When defecating, there may be pain and a burning sensation. There is often a feeling of incomplete emptying and blood in the stool.

We can talk about frequent bowel movements if bowel movements continue more than 3 times a day. At this time, in an adult, the mass and volume of feces increases, their consistency and color begin to change.

If all this happens, then soon an adult will have mushy stool. The appearance of diarrhea eloquently indicates serious disruptions in the functioning of the intestines.

In other words, this means that there is difficulty in absorbing fluid in the large intestine, so dehydration of the blood stream may occur.

To avoid possible troubles, the body begins to have frequent bowel movements. In an adult, restoration of water balance and intestinal microflora occurs easier and faster than in a child. If you have diarrhea that lasts more than three days, you should consult a doctor.

Pasty stool in a child

The child’s digestive organs are much more sensitive to unfavorable factors that disrupt the functionality of the system and create disorders, in particular diarrhea.

In children, diarrhea can even be life-threatening because it causes severe dehydration. A newborn child may have pathogenic bacteria that pose no threat to an adult, but pose a great threat to the child’s health.

The main cause of mushy stool in a small child is an incorrect and unbalanced diet.

Medical statistics show that bottle-fed children are 6 times more likely to have digestive disorders than others. Doctors explain this by saying that formulas containing artificial ingredients are not compatible with the child’s intestines.

Pasty yellow stool

Yellow diarrhea, like any other, has the function of cleansing the body of harmful microbes that bring infection and force you to fight them. Simply put, the reasons here are infection, which is also the main factor causing yellow diarrhea.

Situations arise when such disorders are provoked by an inflammatory process of the intestinal mucosa. Often, mushy yellow diarrhea is caused by insufficient digestion of food, which indicates disturbances in the functioning of the stomach.

Rotavirus infection is one of the main causes of yellow diarrhea. It is not difficult to identify, since the temperature immediately rises and on the second day the stool becomes a gray mass.

This infection continues with the following symptoms:

• runny nose
• redness of the throat
• pain when swallowing.

Often all this is aggravated by a general loss of strength and decreased appetite, up to its complete absence. All symptoms of the disease are included in the so-called intestinal flu, since it is often activated during influenza epidemics.

Pasty stools with mucus

Mushy stools along with mucus are a sign of serious internal disorders of the digestive system, both in adults and children.

Symptoms may occur:

1. after eating mucus-like foods or against the background of a common cold.
2. When consuming fermented milk mixtures, fruits, and berry porridges, you need to be prepared for the appearance of such stools.
3. There are often cases when a severe runny nose, provoking changes in the nasopharynx, makes it possible to release mucous into the esophagus. From there they very quickly enter the intestines.

Such phenomena can appear after an infection has entered the intestines; it is usually bacterial in nature. The acute form of mucus in most cases develops with dysentery.

Pasty stool in the morning

Surely, morning diarrhea is an unpleasant memory for many people. The phenomenon marks frequent bowel movements, it can be chronic and acute.

If mushy stool occurs constantly in the morning, this indicates that there are chronic problems in the body, and an immediate examination by a doctor is required.

If morning diarrhea occurs situationally, then the cause of its occurrence can be identified independently. As a rule, the person himself is to blame for the appearance of such stools.

Diarrhea may appear in the morning if a person takes medications with a laxative effect. The intestines do not sufficiently absorb the active substances of these drugs, but when they are eliminated, diarrhea appears. However, it is also a common occurrence, and this disease is quite dangerous.

Frequent mushy stools

Frequent diarrhea can indicate a variety of digestive system disorders. It may be that diarrhea also acts as an independent disease. Frequent mushy stools, which occur periodically, with breaks of up to 1 month. This disorder can take on a chronic or acute form.

Acute diarrhea occurs as a result of infection with one of the intestinal infections. Poor washing of vegetables and fruits often contributes to the penetration of pathogenic microbes into the human digestive system, which gives rise to the disease.

There are several ways that lead to the formation of diarrhea:

1. Very frequent bowel movements, which can reach several dozen times a day, which is accompanied by vomiting, nausea and high fever, indicate progressive salmonellosis.
2. With cholera, stools are almost always not only frequent, but also watery, which quickly leads to dangerous dehydration.
3. If you experience frequent watery stools, combined with pain, mucus and blood, a medical examination is required, which cannot be postponed.

After finding out the cause of frequent diarrhea, you need to immediately begin treatment for the disease that caused it. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the prescribed diet, and in the future, avoid eating foods that can cause frequent mushy stools.

When it lasts for a long time, it disrupts the most important functions of the body. This is due to the fact that fats are participants in many biochemical processes in the cell. When more than 5 g of fats are excreted per day in feces, a deficiency develops in the body, and pathological processes are launched that are dangerous to human health.

Types of disease

• Pancreatic, caused by dysfunction of the pancreas, in particular due to insufficient secretion of the lipase enzyme responsible for the breakdown of fats.
• Intestinal, which occurs when the absorption properties of the intestine are impaired.
• Nutritional or nutritional, developing with excessive consumption of fatty foods that the gastrointestinal tract is not able to digest.

According to another classification, steatorrhea is divided into categories depending on what is contained in the stool:

• neutral fats;
• soaps and fatty acids;
• mixed set of exchange products.

Symptoms of steatorrhea

With adequate nutrition and general well-being, steatorrhea is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• frequent, copious and loose stools, although constipation is also possible;
• lethargy;
• dry cough;
• cracks in the corners of the mouth;
• pale lips;
• bleeding gums;
• bright language;
• stomatitis;
• dizziness;
• dry mucous membranes;
• sudden weight loss;
• rumbling in the intestines.

In addition, a person is tormented by thirst, not associated with eating salty foods or playing sports.

Consequences

Without treatment, long-term steatorrhea leads to a deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins: K, E, D and A, without which:

• vision deteriorates;
• hair becomes brittle and dull;
• nails peel;
• dry skin itches.

Without timely and proper treatment, steatorrhea causes pathologies in the nerves, genital area, urinary system, endocrine glands, heart and blood vessels. “Remote” disorders include swelling, insomnia, tachycardia, etc.

Etiology of the condition

Oily stool occurs when there are problems with the breakdown and absorption of lipids, which directly depends on the enzymes in pancreatic juice that process incoming nutrients or prepare them for subsequent transformations.

Sticky feces are formed due to the abuse of laxatives, as well as as a result of a special diet, when feces move so quickly through the intestinal tract that they do not have time to be digested and absorbed. Dietary habits include excessive amounts of fat in food, frequent overeating, and a passion for spicy seasonings, which stimulate the digestive canal and thereby disrupt its normal functioning.

The most common causes of frequent and fatty stools in adults include a chronic form of pancreatitis - an inflammatory process in the pancreas that disrupts the function of the most important organ - secreting pancreatic juice, saturated with enzymes for digesting nutrients, including triglycerides.

The sign may indicate stagnation of bile in the gallbladder, as well as the presence of acute or chronic problems with the liver and small intestine.

The symptom of not flushing feces from the toilet can appear if a person abuses anti-obesity drugs, for example, Orlistat, which is also known under other trade names:

With their long-term use, it is possible to disrupt the processes of fat metabolism, which are not restored even after the end of the treatment course with their use.

Fatty stool in an adult can result from:

• Systemic dermatoses, in which, in addition to the skin, internal organs are also affected. This type of diarrhea occurs in patients suffering from lichen planus or eczema.
• Pathologies in the functioning of the endocrine glands, such as hyperthyroidism or Addison's disease.
• Genetic diseases that impair the absorption and transfer of triglycerides.

Steatorrhea during pregnancy

The condition may occur in later stages. The causes of fatty stool should be sought in cholestasis, that is, a violation of the outflow of bile due to the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the gallbladder. In this case, the woman’s stool is discolored and foul-smelling, and the mucous membranes are yellowish.

Violation of vitamin absorption during pregnancy leads to problems:

• With blood clotting and possible bleeding during labor.
• In the development of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus.
• Deterioration of visual acuity in mother and child, as well as dry skin and mucous membranes.

You can help a pregnant woman with the help of medications, folk remedies and diet therapy.

Diagnostics

The search for the causes of steatorrhea begins with a detailed examination, including the doctor’s clarification of the patient’s dietary habits and lifestyle. The doctor will need the results of tests of feces, urine, blood and instrumental diagnostics (MRI, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, rectoscopy, radioisotope studies, etc.). With a long course of the disease, additional diagnostic measures are required, the purpose of which is to identify and evaluate possible complications that often occur with disorders of fat metabolism.

Possible complications

Impaired absorption capacity of the intestine leads to the following conditions:

• Protein deficiency.
• Imbalance of electrolytes, resulting in cramps, dry mucous membranes, swelling, and incessant thirst.
• Oxaluria in the form of insoluble stones consisting of oxalates and capable of clogging the urinary tract and kidneys.
• Pathologies of the brain, respiratory system, heart and kidneys.
• Neuroses in which the patient has mental problems, for example, difficulty communicating, decreased performance, sleep disturbances.

Therapy

Treatment must be timely, using the correct therapeutic approach. It is not steatorrhea that is treated, but the underlying provoking disease.

The doctor prescribes medications containing lipase. They are covered with a shell that protects them from stomach enzymes. Patients take:

Antacids are prescribed to neutralize hydrochloric acid:

With them, enzyme therapy is much more effective.

Prescription of Cortisone, hydrochloric acid and adrenocorticotropic hormone with parallel control of ketosteroids, which are supported by protein intake.

Diet therapy

The nutritionist creates prescriptions on an individual basis, taking into account the causes of the condition, the severity of the underlying pathology, and additional symptoms.

• exclusion of spicy, fried and fatty foods;
• refusal of alcohol;
• drinking plain water instead of sweet soda.

The following animal proteins are allowed:

• lean varieties of fish and meat that are best boiled;
• low-fat fermented milk products instead of whole milk.

Mandatory vitamin therapy with the prescription of vitamins B5 and B12, as well as fat-soluble vitamins K, E, D and A.

Prevention

To avoid the development of steatorrhea, you should:

1. Enrich your diet with animal proteins instead of soybeans and other legumes.
2. Eliminate foods containing gluten from your diet.
3. Bring sugar intake to moderate doses.

Secondary prevention, which is carried out after the development of a pathological condition, involves timely therapy to get rid of the underlying disease, for example, intestinal infections using antibacterial agents.

The disease will not occur if you prevent diseases that provoke steatorrhea, organize a balanced diet with a moderate amount of fatty foods, with plenty of proteins and vitamins. With timely treatment, the disease goes into stable remission and practically does not bother the person.

Conclusion

Fatty stool with a constant urge to defecate is not the norm. To avoid life-threatening consequences, you should promptly pay attention to this symptom and take action.

Stool consistency, its norm, reasons for deviation from the norm

The consistency of feces is an important indicator of coprogram, which reflects the work of not only the intestines, but also the liver and pancreas.

Normal feces have a soft, shaped consistency, which reflects the content of liquid, fiber and fat, as well as the correct ratio of their amounts.

Why does the consistency of stool change?

With constipation, the consistency of stool becomes dense and most often appears as a hard, fragmented appearance. This may indicate a violation of intestinal digestion, when excessive absorption of fluid occurs in the colon. It is important to pay attention to the number of episodes of visiting the toilet during the week, as well as the process of defecation itself. People with this symptom complex often complain of difficulty and sometimes the impossibility of complete bowel movement, excessive gas formation and intoxication, which undoubtedly reduces performance and quality of life.

With diarrhea of ​​various origins, the feces become watery or mushy, and the number of episodes of the act of defecation itself increases. In this case, there is insufficient absorption of fluid and microelements in the intestine. In addition, there is also excessive secretion of fluid in the small intestine. This situation most often occurs with foodborne toxic infections, when the body tries to independently remove pathological agents and reduce intoxication. However, we should not forget about the insufficiency of the intestinal absorption function, which is called a symptom of malabsorption. This symptom can be either congenital or acquired due to various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The next factor influencing changes in the consistency of stool is diseases of the pancreas, which manifest as an ointment-like appearance of stool. Diseases such as pancreatitis and pancreatic secretory insufficiency lead to a decrease in the number of enzymes involved in normal digestion, which leads to an increase in fat content in the stool. This is manifested by a sticky, pasty-like appearance of stool that is difficult to flush from the toilet.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Naturopathic Treatment

Frequent cramping abdominal pain, flatulence, as well as constant alternation of constipation and liquid, often mushy, shapeless stools are characteristic symptoms of a disease that affects more and more people. Irritable bowel syndrome (irritable bowel syndrome), or, in the language of experts, Colin irritable, can become a real torment for the patient.

Official medicine often views this disease as caused by mental factors. Unresolved conflicts, neurotic developmental disorders or depression - this is often what the final “diagnosis” looks like when not a single study helps establish anything. But no matter how comforting the judgments of modern medicine may be, for many patients this is not true. Irritable bowel syndrome has specific organic causes!

Beginning - indigestion

Violation of intestinal self-cleansing mechanisms

Pasty stool. The softness of this shapeless stool is explained by the fact that it is loosened by the resulting gases. Many people consider mushy stools, which often have the appearance of flakes, to be normal for them.

• Make sure to maintain the acid-base balance in your body. Take enough bases in your diet to ensure your metabolism has enough material to produce digestive enzymes.

• Take bases in the form of an alkaline powder. This will help your body produce more digestive juices for optimal digestion of food.

• Avoid unhealthy, acidic foods, such as white refined sugar and its processed products: marmalade, cakes, chocolate, confectionery, ice cream and sugar-containing lemonades, as well as sweet liqueurs.

• To sweeten food, use natural products - honey, maple syrup or thick pear juice. But don't forget that everything is good in moderation!

• If you really want something sweet, eat some fresh fruit or a little dried fruit. This will accustom you to the perception of natural tastes.

• Eat raw plant foods in small portions and chew them especially well. Do not eat such food in the evening. At night it will not be properly processed and will begin to ferment.

• Eat calmly and chew your food thoroughly! The enzymes in saliva begin to process it. The more intensely you chew, the better your salivary glands work and the more enzymes your saliva contains. And the smaller the pieces of food that reach your intestines, the easier it is for digestive juices to completely digest them. As a result, the processes of fermentation and rotting will be insignificant.

• Avoid vegetables that make your stomach bloat, such as legumes (peas, beans, lentils) and cabbage. Although they, like all vegetables in general, are alkaline foods, the fiber contained in their cell membranes is difficult to break down by digestive juices. Undigested residues cause severe fermentation in the lower intestines, which results in unpleasant flatulence. In addition, acidic metabolic products are formed, leading to painful inflammation of the intestinal wall.

• Avoid carbonated drinks. “Quiet” mineral water is much healthier. During meals, do not drink a lot of liquid so as not to “dilute” digestive juices.

• Take care of good digestion. Chronic constipation due to increased decomposition processes causes inflammation in the intestines. Good digestion is the first step to getting rid of your ailments.

Naturopathic Treatment for Irritable Bowel

• Fennel - 30 g
• Cumin (crushed) - 30 g
• Coriander fruits - 30 g
• Chamomile flowers - 10 g

2 teaspoons of the mixture per 250 ml of boiling water, leave for about 8 minutes, drink 1 glass half an hour before meals. If it is not possible to prepare tea, the corresponding extracts can be consumed in the form of drops. For example, a completely tested ready-made drug is Carminativum Hetterich. Along with mint and chamomile extracts, it contains extracts of fennel, cumin and orange peel.

Homeopathy. Asa foetida (smelly ferula) D6. Severe flatulence due to chronic constipation. Cramping pain in the abdomen. The stool may be watery and foamy, or dark brown, sticky, and thick. In any case, its smell is extremely unpleasant and even stinking.

Acupuncture. In Chinese medicine, the picture of irritable bowel complaints is viewed in two ways: as a lack of vitality (lack of “Qi”) in the functional circle “spleen - pancreas” and as a violation of the free flow of energy along the liver meridian.

Managing Symbiosis

Taking strengthening medications containing natural intestinal bacteria restores the ecological balance in the intestines. At the same time, the surviving beneficial microflora receives, so to speak, “support from above.” Suitable drugs:

DYSBACTERIOSIS AND OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES OF STICKY FEEL AND INCOMPLETE EMPTY

The onset of the disease is March of this year. There was incomplete bowel movement, discomfort in the rectum, aching pain and a feeling of fullness in the sacral area. Feces containing undigested food particles, very sticky and in the form of a semi-formed ribbon. The sacrum only hurts when the rectum is full. I started visiting doctors.

First of all, I turned to a NEUROLOGIST and did an MRI of the lumbosacral and thoracic spine. They found a small protrusion of 0.3 cm and perineural cysts up to 0.8 cm. The neurologist said that clinically such small sizes of protrusion and cysts cannot manifest themselves in any way, but still recommended consulting with a neurosurgeon. She tentatively diagnosed coccydynia and sent her to a manuologist.

An osteopathic manuologist saw my pelvic organ dysfunction and relaxation of the ligamentous apparatus. She prescribed special gymnastics. I went to do physical therapy.

The neurosurgeon very carefully collected an anamnesis and recommended that I undergo another MRI, since I agreed with the neurologist that such minor deviations cannot cause such problems with stool. I had it done at another medical institution, but they didn’t see anything new. The neurosurgeon threw up his hands and suggested doing a diagnostic and therapeutic blockade with diprospan and lidocaine. They say, coccydynia is most likely, and the blockade should help. I did. No changes. He prescribed a course of magnetic therapy and acupuncture. Went through all of this.

I do a COLONOSCOPY, where an adenomatous-hyperplastic polyp of 0.5 cm in the ascending colon is discovered and removed (histology shows a low degree of dysplasia). It didn’t get any easier, there were zero changes. FGDS without pathology.

I go to ANOTHER PROCTOLOGIST in a month, she looks at me with a sigmoidoscope and doesn’t see anything criminal. He honestly says that he doesn’t see any proctological problems. Diagnoses IBS, relieves coccydynia (manual rectal pressure on the tailbone, does NOT hurt at all). By that time, there was no longer a trace of the fissure and hemorrhoids, since recently I have been evacuating feces manually. Sent to a GYNECOLOGIST. Ultrasound shows small foci of endometriosis, nothing more criminal. The cycle is normal, no pain. Two gynecologists do not see inflammation manually. I do an MRI of the female organs, it happened on the 22nd day of the cycle, they diagnosed salpingo-oophoritis, which was very surprising. The gynecologist asks to do a repeat ultrasound in another cycle on days 5-7 of the cycle, everything is OK there.

None of our doctors send you for tests. I take a clinical blood test myself, a coprogram, tumor markers CA 125, CA 19-9. The tumor markers are excellent, the clinic is even better: ESR 2 mm/h, leukocytes 7.5 when the norm is 3.5-9, hemoglobin 130, all other blood elements are also normal.

Coprogram: modified muscle fibers +++, unchanged muscle fibers +, digestible fiber ++, indigestible fiber ++, extracellular starch ++, fatty acids +

I take a detailed three-fold test for helminthiasis and protozoa. Nothing found.

I decided to do a dysbacteriosis test myself:

Bifidobacteria reduced to 10*7

E/coli typical 10*6

E/coli hemolytic 10*6

Other opportunistic enterobacteria 10*4

All other indicators are normal. Diagnosis: dysbacteriosis of the 1st degree, characterized by a reduced content of bifidobacteria, typical E-coli, an increased number of hemolytic E-coli, UPE.

I’m going with all the examinations to a GASTROENTEROLOGIST. At the appointment I understand that they want to send me once again to a neurologist, proctologist, gynecologist, etc. The doctor says that if the feces do not pass out on their own, then a proctologist should solve this problem. I ask a reasonable question, who should deal with indigestible food, coprograms and the treatment of dysbacteriosis?? He answers, well... we’ll prescribe treatment for dysbiosis, but something caused it in the first place, we need to look for the cause.

My question is how to find the very reason that is missing in my examination? Now I have been prescribed Creon, Trimedat, Noroflorin B, and therapeutic exercises. (which I’ve been doing since April to no avail). I follow a diet, it has no effect on the problem. I eat everything after heat treatment, porridge with water, steamed cutlets, fish... Since March, I have received consultations from THREE gynecologists, TWO proctologists, TWO neurologists, a neurosurgeon, an osteopathic chiropractor, a gastroenterologist, a therapist and a surgeon, I have undergone a bunch of examinations and even dealt with the place has not moved. Over the past week, problems with stool have been supplemented by pain in the left side, although not constant, throbbing.

Incomplete emptying of the rectum. Literally. A little came out, the rest had to be removed.

Sticky stool, sometimes ribbon-like, sometimes cork-like (at first a thick portion, then vice versa).

When the intestine is full, the sacrum begins to hurt. That is, the pain is NOT during bowel movements, but long before it.

Could this be dysbiosis, as an independent disease, caused, for example, by errors in nutrition (before I got sick, I was very fond of bread ). Are antibiotics or bacteriophages indicated for my increase in hemolytic E-coli? I have been taking Creon and bifido drugs for two weeks. The first three or four days it became a little better, but now I don’t notice any improvement.

What additional examination would you recommend for me? What reasons can cause a change in the qualitative composition of feces? They thought it was the pancreas, but no.. By the way, I also passed biochemistry and sugar... EVERYTHING IS NORMAL, except for B-lipoproteins (58 units).

You should not trust the pathologist. It is a common myth that a pathologist is the best diagnostician! It’s just that no one checks the pathologist. His verdict is final!

In terms of additional examination, one cannot do without a stool test for elastase-1 and an analysis for antibodies to tissue transglutaminase classes A and G (or to endomysium).

Once you receive your answer, don’t forget to rate it (“rate the answer”). I am grateful to everyone who considered it possible and necessary to evaluate the answer!

Hello, Natalia! Quite a bit of time has passed. How are you feeling? Tell me, please. I completely agree with Alexander Yuryevich! Here a consultation with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist is necessary. You have been visiting doctors for several months, I have been visiting doctors for several years, and I myself am a doctor (but a dentist), and only now, several years later, I find out that here it is necessary to treat the head. I spent so many young years pushing, how many friends I threw away. It’s impossible to say in a fairy tale, nor to describe it with a pen. And this takes into account that I am in Moscow, and have been to eminent doctors and in eminent centers. And the result. Search for new and new doctors. Now I am looking for a good psychotherapist.

What happens in the body, or what do poops say?

Feces are all that remains of food eaten after the body has taken all the nutrients it needs. You DO need to go to the toilet in large quantities, as this is a natural way to get rid of waste. The color, shape, and smell of poop can tell you what's going on in your body.

Sausage-shaped, smooth and soft

Optimal view! Everything is fine!

You lack fiber and fluid. Drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables.

Watery, without dense lumps, liquid

You have diarrhea! Possibly caused by some kind of infection, in which case diarrhea is the body's way of getting rid of pathogens. You are advised to drink plenty of fluids to replenish fluid losses, otherwise dehydration may begin!

Sausage-shaped, but lumpy

Not as serious as in the case of “sheep feces,” but it is better to increase the amount of liquid you drink per day and the fiber you eat as part of your food.

Soft, small feces with clear edges

Not too bad. Within normal limits if you walk “large” several times a day.

Sausage-shaped, but with cracks on the surface

This is normal, but cracks mean you need to increase the amount of fluid you drink.

Spready stool with fuzzy edges

Borders on normal, but may become diarrhea.

Soft, stick-shaped stool sticking to the sides of the toilet

Having too much fat means that the body does not absorb it properly. This can occur, for example, with chronic pancreatitis.

Everything is fine. Stool is usually brown in color due to bile produced in the liver.

Food may be moving too quickly through the colon. Other possibilities: You ate a lot of green leafy vegetables or green food coloring.

This color may indicate that there is internal bleeding due to an ulcer or cancer. Some medications containing iron and bismuth subsalicylate may also turn stool black. Pay special attention if it is sticky, and consult a doctor if it bothers you.

Light, white or clay colors

If this is not what you usually see in the toilet, it may indicate a bile duct obstruction. Taking certain medications can also cause stool to be too light in color. Consult your doctor.

Fatty, foul-smelling, or bright yellow stool indicates excess fat. This may be due to a fat absorption disorder such as celiac disease.

Red or bloody

Blood in the stool can be a symptom of cancer, so consult a doctor immediately.

Some facts about feces

Eaten food usually spends 1-3 days in the human body until it turns into feces.

Feces consist of undigested food, bacteria, mucus and dead cells, which is why it has such a specific smell.

Healthy feces sink slowly.

How often should you go big?

On average, people relieve themselves once or twice a day, but some do it more often and some less often. According to doctors, there is no norm for going to the toilet if you feel normal.

To avoid problems with bowel movements

Eat foods high in fiber (20-25 g, for example, 1 apple contains approximately 4 g of fiber, 1 pear - 5 g of fiber), drink more clean water, exercise regularly or exercise.

If you have constipation, introducing a large amount of fiber into your diet will help.

Drinking enough water makes it easier for stool to move through the rectum.

When to see a doctor?

If for the first time you see something wrong in your stool, not the same as usual, do not rush to panic. Watch. If this happens again, talk to your doctor. Pay attention to what exactly your body is “telling” you, and if something really bothers you, do not put off visiting a doctor.

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Ekaterina Russia, St. Petersburg

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Why does mushy stool occur and how to get rid of it?

At least once in their life, every person has encountered mushy stool. A single appearance of such a symptom does not pose a threat. However, if this symptom is repeated day after day, then this is a serious reason to think about your health and visit a doctor for a quality diagnosis.

What is mushy stool?

In every healthy person, feces are formed in the large intestine under certain conditions. With normal functioning of the digestive system, the stool is soft but formed. However, if for some reason a malfunction occurs, the feces acquire a characteristic mushy consistency. If such a symptom is the result of an error in diet, then you should not worry, as this is considered a variant of the norm. However, with daily and frequent bowel movements that result in mushy stools, you should think about a more serious reason.

Varieties: for a long time, frequent, with mucus, in the morning and others

Depending on additional conditions, the following types of this symptom can be distinguished:

1. Pasty stools for a long time and accompanied by flatulence. Can appear at any time. Most often accompanied by various gastrointestinal pathologies.
2. Frequent. In this case, emptying can occur more than 3 times a day.
3. Appears in the morning. May be accompanied by nausea and other digestive disorders.
4. With mucus. Mucous streaks may be present in sufficient quantities in the stool.
5. Thick with particles of undigested food. Pasty stools may be patchy and have a porous structure. Quite often contains some food fragments.

Causes and provoking factors in adults and children

The main reasons why mushy stool may occur:

1. Errors in diet. When consuming large amounts of plant foods, some changes in the structure of stool may occur.
2. Gastroduodenitis. When the duodenum and the pyloric zone of the stomach become inflamed, digestion becomes incomplete, as a result of which mushy stool can form.
3. Taking medications. Changes in the structure of stool can occur when treated with certain medications. These include Enterol, broad-spectrum antibiotics, glucocorticoids, and choleretic drugs.
4. Pancreatitis. During inflammatory processes in the pancreas, an insufficient amount of enzymes is often released for proper digestion of food. As a result, mushy stool is formed.
5. Cholecystitis. Inflammation of the gallbladder associated with stagnation of secretions can lead to a similar symptom.
6. Decreased appetite. A meager intake of food into the body provokes the formation of mushy stools.
7. Inflammatory processes in the intestines. Pathologies of this nature lead to underformation of feces. As a result, absorption in the small intestine deteriorates, and there are not enough enzymes for digestion.
8. Dysbacteriosis. An insufficient amount of beneficial microflora gives rise to similar symptoms.

Diagnostic measures

A timely approach to diagnosis is extremely important to determine the cause and eliminate symptoms. Basic research methods:

1. Questioning the patient. It is carried out in order to eliminate errors in the diet. The doctor asks the patient about medications taken that could cause changes in stool.
2. FGDS. Endoscopic examination of the stomach and duodenum is carried out by probing. In this case, a thin tube with an optical device at the end is inserted into the esophagus and from there moves towards the stomach and duodenum. In this case, areas of inflammation and other changes in the mucous membrane are determined.
3. Colonoscopy. Similar to the previous method, only in this case the probe is inserted through the rectum. In this way, pathologies of the large and small intestines are diagnosed.
4. Ultrasound. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity can detect diseases of the pancreas and gall bladder.

Drug treatment

If the cause of mushy stool is gastroduodenitis, then the doctor most often prescribes drugs that regulate gastrointestinal motility and drugs that help restore the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum. Such medications include Omez, Nolpaza, Emanera. A drug that affects motor function, Trimedat is able to influence both too fast and, conversely, slow peristalsis, regulating the movement of the food bolus.

For pancreatitis, medications are prescribed that can compensate for enzyme deficiency. These include Mezim, Pancreatin and Creon. Thanks to them, food is better digested and the stool is slightly firmer. If acalculous cholecystitis is present, then a diet is indicated. Prescribing choleretic drugs during exacerbation of symptoms can only worsen the course of the pathology.

For inflammatory bowel diseases, drugs that regulate the functioning of this organ are indicated. Most often, the doctor prescribes Pepsan-R. This drug relieves inflammation and reduces excess gas formation, as well as Kolofort, which regulates intestinal function.

When dysbiosis is present, the best treatment is a prebiotic containing beneficial bacteria. These products include: Linex, Hilak Forte and others. They promote the proliferation of beneficial microflora in the intestines.

Drug treatment - photo gallery

Diet food

Diet for mushy stools plays a decisive role. Sometimes, by changing your diet, you can quickly and permanently eliminate the problem. First of all, it is necessary to reduce the amount of plant food consumed, which accelerates peristalsis and forms liquid stool. It is necessary to include in the diet:

Diet food - photo gallery

Folk remedies

Traditional methods of treatment can be used as an auxiliary way to eliminate this symptom. To do this, use herbs that affect the functioning of the intestines. The most effective recipes:

1. A decoction based on chamomile and oak bark. This remedy not only regulates the intestines, but also strengthens the stool. It will take 1 tsp. listed ingredients that need to be placed in a saucepan and pour 500 ml of boiling water and cook for 15 minutes. Then let stand for another 2 hours and strain. Take a quarter glass 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals for a week.
2. Mint tea. Additionally you will need St. John's wort. It is necessary to mix both herbs and 1 tbsp. l. pour 400 ml of boiling water over the resulting mixture. Let stand for 25 minutes and then filter, taking 2-3 times a day a quarter of an hour before meals for 10 days.
3. Chicory decoction. You will need 2-3 sprigs, which must be poured with 350 ml of boiling water and cooked over low heat for 10 minutes. After this, drain the liquid and divide it into 3 doses. The product should be taken 15–20 minutes before meals for 5 days.

Folk remedies - photo gallery

Treatment prognosis and consequences

As a rule, in the presence of pasty stools that are not burdened by additional symptoms, the prognosis is good. With timely diagnosis and treatment, recovery occurs fairly quickly. One of the most dangerous consequences is severe pathologies of the pancreas, in which self-digestion of the organ can occur and the production of enzymes will completely stop. In addition, advanced gastroduodenitis and liver diseases are fraught with the appearance of ulcerative lesions.

With constant mushy stool, a large amount of fluid is lost, which can ultimately lead to dehydration. This symptom cannot be ignored.

Prevention measures

The main preventive measure is the early detection of inflammatory diseases of the digestive system. To do this, at the first signs of pathology, you need to consult a doctor. If blood is accidentally found in the stool, then under no circumstances should you postpone a visit to a specialist.

Additional preventative measures:

• regular and proper nutrition;
• active lifestyle;
• adequate fluid intake;
• exclusion of products containing trans fats.

Pasty stools, which occur quite often, cause a lot of discomfort. To get rid of this symptom, it is recommended to approach treatment comprehensively. Sometimes it is enough to adjust the diet and the problem disappears without additional methods of therapy.

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