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What Causes Odorless Bowel Movements?

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Posted on Thu, 9 Jul 2015
Question: Hi. I have ibs and tonight I've had a really bad attack that hit out of nowhere right after dinner. I've been running to the toilet for two or three hours now--bad cramps. My question is why doesn't it stink? It's odorless. Watery but odorless. And there was a little bright red blood in the toilet earlier but I haven't seen any in my last couple of visits.
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Answered by Dr. Ralf Von Seckendorff (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Blood can be from hemorrhoid or from infection

Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,

The stools need not stink all the time, it can be odorless too. Odorless stools suggest non-infection or just a simple viral diarrhea.

The blood is not necessarily dangerous, can be from a hemorrhoid. Another possibility is that, in addition to IBS, you could have a bacterial or viral infection (gastroenteritis) which sometimes causes watery stools also and would be self healing within a few days.

I suggest wait and see first, only if this gets worse or high fever, strong pain or larger amounts of blood in stool reoccur there should be an examination by your local GP.

Until then try the usual things that help you, which can be local warmth, cumin ginger tea or similar.

Hope this is helping you , if you have any clarifications you can get back to me, if this was helpful please kindly rate my answer. Best regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. Ralf Von Seckendorff

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 535 Questions

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What Causes Odorless Bowel Movements?

Brief Answer: Blood can be from hemorrhoid or from infection Detailed Answer: Dear patient, The stools need not stink all the time, it can be odorless too. Odorless stools suggest non-infection or just a simple viral diarrhea. The blood is not necessarily dangerous, can be from a hemorrhoid. Another possibility is that, in addition to IBS, you could have a bacterial or viral infection (gastroenteritis) which sometimes causes watery stools also and would be self healing within a few days. I suggest wait and see first, only if this gets worse or high fever, strong pain or larger amounts of blood in stool reoccur there should be an examination by your local GP. Until then try the usual things that help you, which can be local warmth, cumin ginger tea or similar. Hope this is helping you , if you have any clarifications you can get back to me, if this was helpful please kindly rate my answer. Best regards