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What Causes Floating Stools And What Are The Health Risks Associated?
Question: I read that floating stools can be a problem. I worry with my health all the time. My stomach has been bothering me for a while. In had a colonoscopy and a endoscopy about a year ago. Everything came out fine except I had H Pylori. My stomach still bothered me so I had a ct scan from my head to my knees. Everything was fine. Nothing wrong with that. I keep reading about Pancretic cancer. When I go to the web sight it scars me because of the floating stools I have sometimes. I have no fever or yellowing of the skin. no pale stools. I just think its my nerves. Male 66 years old
Brief Answer:
Most causes of floating stools are harmless
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thank you for your query.
I understand your concern.
The stools float either because there is high gas content or fat content. If the fat content is high, it may mean that you may have a malabsorption problem. If the stools are normal coloured and not very bulky or foul smelling, then a malabsorption syndrome is unlikely.
It may be excess gas and you can reduce this by reducing the amount of gas forming foods.
vegetables and legumes:
Dried beans, such as kidney, pinto, garbanzos, lima, and navy
Dried peas, such as split peas and lentils
Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower
Cucumbers and green peppers
Onions, leeks, and chives
Pickles and sauerkraut
Radishes, rutabaga, and turnips
Other foods:
Apples, pears, and peaches
Prunes and raisins
Large amounts of whole grain foods, such as whole-wheat bread or cereal
Beer, ales, and other drinks that contain alcohol
Carbonated drinks, such as soda
Mannitol and sorbitol are sugar alcohols that are added to food and sugar-free gums and candy
Dairy foods: Milk and milk products such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream can be gas-forming if you are lactose intolerant.
I presume you would have had the treatment for H.Pylori which produces inflammation and ulceration of the stomach and duodenum. one month after the course of treatment, you should do a Urea Breath Test to ensure that it is eradicated.
You have done the other investigations and the results are normal. So relax.
Wish you good health.
Dr. Noble Zachariah
Most causes of floating stools are harmless
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thank you for your query.
I understand your concern.
The stools float either because there is high gas content or fat content. If the fat content is high, it may mean that you may have a malabsorption problem. If the stools are normal coloured and not very bulky or foul smelling, then a malabsorption syndrome is unlikely.
It may be excess gas and you can reduce this by reducing the amount of gas forming foods.
vegetables and legumes:
Dried beans, such as kidney, pinto, garbanzos, lima, and navy
Dried peas, such as split peas and lentils
Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower
Cucumbers and green peppers
Onions, leeks, and chives
Pickles and sauerkraut
Radishes, rutabaga, and turnips
Other foods:
Apples, pears, and peaches
Prunes and raisins
Large amounts of whole grain foods, such as whole-wheat bread or cereal
Beer, ales, and other drinks that contain alcohol
Carbonated drinks, such as soda
Mannitol and sorbitol are sugar alcohols that are added to food and sugar-free gums and candy
Dairy foods: Milk and milk products such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream can be gas-forming if you are lactose intolerant.
I presume you would have had the treatment for H.Pylori which produces inflammation and ulceration of the stomach and duodenum. one month after the course of treatment, you should do a Urea Breath Test to ensure that it is eradicated.
You have done the other investigations and the results are normal. So relax.
Wish you good health.
Dr. Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Doctor thanks so very much for the info. I started taking the antibiotics for the H Pylori however the medication made me sick. If not treated what are the chances the H Pylori will turn into something more concerning?
Brief Answer:
Mainly Gastritis, duodenitis
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
The triple regime for H.Pylori is sometimes difficult to tolerate.
If you write me in detail regarding the medicines you took and which medicine you had difficulty in tolerating, I shall advise you how I deal with similar problem in my patients.
Untreated H.Pylori usually produces only an inflammation of the stomach and duodenum and may be an ulcer in the same region.
However H. pylori infection is a cause of gastric (stomach) cancer. It may cause gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma also.
Nothing to worry, we should be able to treat it successfully and eradicate it.
Dr. Noble Zachariah
Mainly Gastritis, duodenitis
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
The triple regime for H.Pylori is sometimes difficult to tolerate.
If you write me in detail regarding the medicines you took and which medicine you had difficulty in tolerating, I shall advise you how I deal with similar problem in my patients.
Untreated H.Pylori usually produces only an inflammation of the stomach and duodenum and may be an ulcer in the same region.
However H. pylori infection is a cause of gastric (stomach) cancer. It may cause gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma also.
Nothing to worry, we should be able to treat it successfully and eradicate it.
Dr. Noble Zachariah
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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