What Causes Foul Smelling Stool?

Brief Answer:
Go for routine blood and stool tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome to HCM.

Foul smelling stools could be due to retained stools in the colon or decreased motility and decreased intake of fluids or could be infective (bacterial or parasitic) but it should be evaluated further by routine blood and stool tests.

Here,I would like to ask some more information,

1) Do you have recent change in bowel your movements ?
2) Since when you have foul smelly stools ?
3) Do you have diarrhea or constipation or abdominal pain ?

Usually bowel infections caused by organisms like E.coli, amebiasis can cause foul smelling stools which may be associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Sometimes when fat in the diet does not get absorbed, it gets excreted in large amounts in the stool and cause severe foul smell and also the stool floats in water.

Severe constipation can also cause foul smelling due to bacterial fermentation as well..

So,it would be best to undergo routine blood counts,ESR and stool (for routine microscopy,reducing substance,ova and cyst) examination to rule out infection.

Consult your doctor (preferably physician) for complete medical history and above mentioned tests.

Eat a diet with plenty of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables.

Drink plenty of water and exercise daily.Avoid food stuff which cause excessive fermentation.

Probiotics supplements such as sporolac-ds will also be helpful.

You may need antibiotics like ofloxacin and ornidazole if underlying cause is infective.Albendazole can also be taken for de-worming but all these drugs are prescription based,so consult you physician who will know about it.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip

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