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Why is my poop thick and sticky?

If symptoms such as abdominal pain accompany sticky poop, however, an underlying factor may be present. Medical factors that can contribute to sticky poop include Celiac disease, IBD, and stomach ulcers. Dietary factors, such as a high fat diet, can also contribute.

healthgrades.com - Sticky Poop: Causes, Treatment, and More - Healthgrades

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Several factors can cause sticky poop, including dietary habits, digestive tract disorders, and chronic diseases. Sticky poop may occur alone or with other digestive symptoms, such as gas and bloating. This article covers the causes, treatments, and prevention of sticky poop. It also explains when to contact a doctor.

What causes sticky poop?

Many factors can contribute to sticky poop, which is poop that is soft or tacky in texture.

High fat diet

A diet with high fat elements could cause you to pass fat in your stool. Excess fat in your stool may cause your stool to become stickier than usual. A high fat diet could also cause constipation, according to a separate animal study from 2019.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBD causes inflammation in your digestive tract. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Common symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in your stool that can make your poop sticky. Experts are uncertain of the exact origins of IBD. However, they believe that environmental, genetic, and immune factors may be involved.

Doctors commonly treat IBD with aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants, and biologics.

Learn more about IBD.

Stomach ulcer

A stomach ulcer is when a sore develops in your stomach lining. It can cause pain, heartburn, and nausea. It may also affect stool consistency when the ulcer bleeds. The main causes of stomach ulcers, according to the National Health Service (NHS), may include:

an infection of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) bacteria

( ) bacteria using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin

Treatments for a stomach ulcer include antibiotics and antacids.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to your small intestine. It happens when your immune system reacts atypically to the protein gluten. Symptoms can include weight loss, diarrhea, and malnutrition, which can result in sticky poop. Your doctor will typically ask you to leave gluten out of your diet if you experience celiac disease.

Learn about celiac disease.

Lactose intolerance

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Lactose intolerance is when your body is unable to fully break down lactose. It occurs when you have a limited amount of the enzyme lactase in your gut. Many people with lactose intolerance experience gas or bloating when they eat dairy foods. Others may also experience sticky poop.

Treatment focuses on excluding dairy products.

How can you prevent sticky poop?

You can take steps to reduce your risk of some causes of sticky poop. These include:

Diet

Limit high fat foods such as red meat and butter.

Limit processed foods, such as biscuits and ice cream.

Increase your intake of nuts and seeds.

Eat more fruits and vegetables.

Exercise regularly.

Stomach ulcer

Avoid smoking and alcohol.

Avoid long-term use of NSAIDs.

Avoid spicy and acidic foods and beverages.

IBD

Take all prescribed medication as directed.

Avoid foods that may cause or worsen symptoms.

Keep your regular visits with your doctor or specialist to monitor inflammation.

Celiac disease

Avoid gluten by eating gluten-free foods.

Avoid or minimize milk and milk products.

Avoid wheat, barley, or rye.

Speak with your doctor before making major changes to your diet.

How does your gut health relate to your overall health?

Your gut health and function depend largely on the features of your gut microbiota. Your gut microbiota refers to the microorganisms that live in your digestive tract, including various bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

The specific activities of these microorganisms include:

regulating nutrient metabolism

regulating drug metabolism

protecting against pathogens

Changes in your gut microbiota can often affect your gut health and your overall health. These changes can often also affect your bowel movements. Speak with your doctor if sticky poop lingers or happens with other symptoms, such as:

Your doctor will investigate the root cause and recommend treatment.

How do you treat sticky poops?

If there is an underlying medical factor for sticky poops, treating that cause is the best way to relieve symptoms. If there is no such factor, however, simple changes in your diet or common over-the-counter (OTC) medications may be enough to resolve sticky poop. Natural remedies may also prove useful.

OTC treatments

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The following OTC treatments may improve sticky poop:

digestive enzyme supplements to help the body process food better

Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate to stop diarrhea

probiotics, which use “good” bacteria to help treat digestive concerns

fiber supplements to improve bowel function

At-home remedies

Here are at-home remedies to try:

Drink sufficient water to improve digestive health and function.

Exercise regularly to improve digestive health and function.

Get adequate sleep to promote healthy bowel movements.

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, including bananas, broccoli, apricots, and green beans.

Increase fiber intake through the foods you eat, supplements, or a combination.

Foods to avoid

Avoiding high fat foods, gluten, and lactose may also help.

Foods that are high in fat include:

red meat

butter

chocolate confectionery

cakes and pastries

heavy cream

ice cream

Foods that contain gluten include:

wheat, rye, and barley

pasta

bread

cereal

beer

crackers

malt

Foods that contain lactose include:

milk, including milk powder, malted milk, and skimmed milk

milk chocolate

milk candies

cream

margarine

cheese

yogurt

What are complications of sticky poop?

Untreated, the underlying factors for sticky poop may cause complications.

For example:

Seek treatment if sticky poop lingers or occurs with serious symptoms.

Summary

Sticky poop is usually not serious if it lasts a few days and does not occur with other symptoms. If symptoms such as abdominal pain accompany sticky poop, however, an underlying factor may be present. Medical factors that can contribute to sticky poop include Celiac disease, IBD, and stomach ulcers. Dietary factors, such as a high fat diet, can also contribute. You can take some steps to lower your risk of some causes of sticky poop. They include avoiding alcohol and cutting back on processed foods. Treatments for sticky poop include OTC digestive enzyme supplements, fiber supplements, and probiotics. Drinking sufficient water and getting enough sleep may also help.

Speak with your doctor if sticky poop causes you concern.

healthgrades.com - Sticky Poop: Causes, Treatment, and More - Healthgrades

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