The causes of Floating Bowel Movements – Your stool or feces can tell you a lot about your health. Red stools can signify hemorrhoids until colon cancer, which becomes a warning for the health of your body. But what if when bowel movements (defecating) the color of the stool is fine, but do not sink into the base of the toilet as usual dirt?
This is unusual, but we all may have experienced Floating Bowel Movements. So what does it mean if the stool does not sink?
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Floating Bowel Movements Causes
Believe it or not, dirt or feces can reveal a state of health of the body. Floating dirt is the most common sign to find out. A mild change in diet, gas, and infections is a common cause of Floating Bowel Movements.
In fact, not only that can be a factor of our feces floating. There are some health conditions that could affect them and cause constant float stools.
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Causes of Frequent Bowel Movements
The following may be the reason behind the floating feces:
Excess air or gas content on stools
Doctors usually consider this to be caused by excess fats in the stool, but one study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that this is an extra air.
Excess air on the stool can be caused by carbohydrates that are not absorbed completely. It can arise from the fiber or lactose that is fermented in the intestines and secretes gases.
This is more vulnerable when you are on lactose or are consuming a lot of milk and fiber at the same time. Sweet alco**hol and artificial sweetener can also make the stool contain more air.
If your stool contains more air and gas than normal, it can make it lighter so it eventually floats.
Excess fat in the stool
Excess fat can also be the cause, especially when you consume more fatty foods.
Fiber consumption
When consuming foods that are rich in fiber, especially insoluble fiber, can make dirt become less dense and float. So, the dirt that floats the result of consuming fiber is actually a good sign for the health of the body.
In consuming fiber, men and women have different quantities. Women between 19-50 years old should consume at least 25 grams per day. For men with the same age range, requires at least 38 grams per day. Foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains are healthy foods.
Malabsorption.
In medical, floating dirt is known as Steatorrhea. The condition can signal that your body is malabsorption or cannot digest and absorb nutrients properly.
In addition, if you find that there is a puddle of oil that comes out with your dirt, it signifies that something is wrong with your pancreas, because the pancreas cannot absorb the fats from the food properly.
The doctor may diagnose malabsorption through the fecal fat test, which literally measures the amount of fat excreted in your feces.
If your floating dirt is caused by malabsorption, you will also have other symptoms, such as foul-smelling dirt, stomach cramps, and gas.
Stomach infections
Stomach infections caused by E. Coli bacteria can make dirt float. This is due to the increased production of gases and dirt that are no longer dense.
Often, stomach infections occur temporarily and can heal on their own. We only need to increase the water intake and rest. It is only if this condition does not subside, be sure to check the health condition to the doctor.
Stomach problems
Studies conducted in 2015 showed that 26 percent of stomach disorders such as irritable stomach syndrome will make dirt when defecation tends to float. For some people, this indicates a problem in the stomach and intestines, especially if it is accompanied by a sensation of pain in the stomach, diarrhea, bloating, or constipation.
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Immediately consult the doctor if the floating feces look long-lasting, chronic constipation or diarrhea, sudden weight loss, and darker colored urine.
