Think Youve Got Food Poisoning?
Taking a glance in the toilet bowl after you go is only natural.
With that, you probably notice that your poop usually sinks.
So…what does it mean if your poop suddenly floats?
Here, find out everything you ever wanted to know about poop that floats (and then some).
Experts in This Article
gastroenterologist and associate professor atRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
gastroenterologist and associate professor atRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Theres a wide range here.
Poop that floats could be nothingor it could be something for your doctor to look into.
People on a high-fiber diet may have floating stools.
One cause of oily, floating stools is malabsorption from lack of pancreatic enzymes, she says.
It may also be a sign of colon cancer, Stein says.
How common is this?
In general, its more common for poop to sink instead of float, Dr. Bedford says.
Exactly how common floating BMs are is tough to say for sure, though.
As for potential causes of health conditions and illnesses that may impact your poop, it varies.
gastroenterologist and associate professor atRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Its relatively uncommon to get pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Dr. Stein says.
Itsverycommon to experience lactose intolerance.
When should you see a doctor?
Is there anything you might do about poop that floats?
Theres nothing about floating poop on its own thats harmful.
They can help determine the likely cause and, from there, can suggest a personalized solution.
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