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Is it normal to poop soft everyday?

In most cases, loose stools are a temporary problem and resolve on their own. However, if your symptoms continue to get worse, and you have chronic loose stools, then it's time to see a doctor. See a doctor if you experience: chronic loose stools.

healthline.com - Loose Stools: Causes, Treatment, Symptoms, and More - Healthline

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?

Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. What are loose stools? Loose stools are bowel movements that appear softer than normal. They can be watery, mushy, or shapeless. In some cases, they may have a strong or foul odor. There are many possible causes for loose stools. They frequently happen after eating, but they can also occur throughout the day. Symptoms of loose stools It’s important to understand the difference between loose stools and diarrhea. If you have diarrhea, you’ll also have loose or watery stools. However, if you have loose stools from time to time, it doesn’t mean you have diarrhea. In order for loose stools to be considered diarrhea, they have to occur repeatedly. If you have loose stools three or more times per day, then it’s diarrhea. The most common symptoms of loose stools include: watery stools

soft or mushy stools

shapeless stools You may also have other gastrointestinal symptoms including: stomach cramps

stomach pain

nausea

You may have either chronic loose stools or loose stools after eating. It’s important to know the difference between these conditions. A loose stool after eating is usually not a long-term problem and may be a one-off event. However, chronic loose stools can be an issue for weeks. You can tell if you have chronic loose stools by keeping track of how long the symptoms last. Loose stools after eating can be an indication of food poisoning, lactose intolerance, or infections. You may also have loose stool after eating if you’re taking too much magnesium or have been drinking too much coffee. Certain foods, such as spicy or oily foods, can also create loose stools. Chronic loose stools are usually caused by other medical conditions. You may have: irritable bowel syndrome

celiac disease

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ulcerative colitis

bile acid malabsorption

dumping syndrome

What causes loose stools? There are many potential causes of loose stools. Food and drinks Some drinks and food can cause loose stools. Coffee is a common cause because it stimulates the intestinal muscles. Oily and spicy foods are also a problem for some people because they can irritate the stomach. These can also cause loose stools: alcohol

fructose

sugar alcohols Food poisoning and infections Viruses, bacteria, or parasites can cause food poisoning. Loose stools can be the result of inflammation from these infections. You may also have other symptoms such as: nausea

fever

stomach cramps

vomiting Medications and supplements Certain medications and supplements can cause loose stools. For example, taking too much magnesium can be a problem. Taking too many laxatives can also affect your bowel movements. In addition, drugs such as antibiotics or chemotherapy can cause loose stools, too. Lactose intolerance If you have lactose intolerance, then loose stools may be a problem. People with lactose intolerance don’t produce enough lactase, which is an enzyme necessary to break down dairy. Irritable bowel syndrome Loose stools and diarrhea are common if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a disorder that affects the large intestine. You may also experience other symptoms such as: stomach pain

gas

constipation

bloating

cramps Celiac disease Some people have loose stools because of celiac disease. This is an autoimmune condition that affects the body’s ability to process gluten in food. You may have additional symptoms such as: pain

bloating

cramping

constipation

weight loss

fatigue

headaches

malabsorption Bile acid malabsorption Bile acid malabsorption occurs when the body can’t reabsorb the acids from the gallbladder. This leads to irritation and may cause loose stools. Other symptoms of bile acid malabsorption include: bloating

cramps

pain

gas Dumping syndrome Dumping syndrome is more common among people who have weight loss surgery or gastric surgery. Food can move too fast through the small intestine, so loose stools happen. The other symptoms are: stomach cramps or pain

nausea

vomiting

fast heartbeat

sweating

feeling flushed

dizziness

feeling full after eating a small amount Ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation in the digestive system. Some people with UC experience loose stools. They may also have: pain

cramps

rectal bleeding

weight loss

fatigue

fever Crohn’s disease Crohn’s disease is another chronic condition that affects the digestive tract. You may have loose stools because of Crohn’s disease. Other symptoms include: fatigue

stomach pain or cramps

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lack of appetite

gas

nausea

vomiting

fever

bloating Hyperthyroidism When your thyroid is overactive and makes too much thyroxine hormone, it’s possible to have loose stools. Hyperthyroidism affects metabolism in the body. This condition has other symptoms such as: weight loss

thin skin and hair

sleep problems

anxiety

irritability

fast heartbeat

tremors

Complications of loose stools Dehydration can be a serious problem for people who have watery, loose stools. Make sure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids. Malnutrition is another possible complication. Malabsorption of important nutrients can be a problem. You may not be getting enough vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients. Talk to your doctor about treating malnutrition. Loose stools risk factors Anyone can have loose stools at some point in their lives. This affects both adults and children of all ages. However, some people are at a higher risk of having loose stools. If you have certain chronic health problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, dumping syndrome, ulcerative colitis, hyperthyroidism, or bile acid malabsorption, then you’re more likely to have loose stools. See a doctor In most cases, loose stools are a temporary problem and resolve on their own. However, if your symptoms continue to get worse, and you have chronic loose stools, then it’s time to see a doctor. See a doctor if you experience: chronic loose stools

weight loss

bloody diarrhea or stools

stools that look black or tar-like

high fever

severe dehydration

fast heart rate

confusion

dizziness or fainting

chills

severe stomach pain and cramps that don’t go away If you need help finding a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. How to treat loose stools Treatments for loose stools can vary. Your doctor may recommend diet changes and increasing your fiber intake. You may also need to take anti-diarrheal medications. Immediate treatments to stop loose stools include: taking anti-diarrheal medications

anti-diarrheal medications consuming more fiber

staying hydrated

adding honey to your diet

avoiding food and drinks that are triggers Long-term treatments to stop loose stools include: taking probiotics, which are available at local grocery stores, pharmacies, and online