Doctor Warns of 4 Abnormal Stool Characteristics

Khaosod•Society•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Dr. Zhuo Weiru warns that while floating stool can be normal, the combination of floating, greasy, foul-smelling, and hard-to-flush stool may indicate health issues.

•Floating stool alone may be caused by excess intestinal gas from eating too quickly or consuming gas-producing foods.
•Steatorrhea occurs when the body cannot properly digest or absorb fats, leading to greasy, pale, and bulky stools.
•Stools that are simultaneously floating, greasy, foul-smelling, and difficult to flush are considered more concerning than floating stool alone.
•Patients with these symptoms should consult a gastroenterologist and hepatologist for diagnostic tests.

Overview

•Dr. Zhuo Weiru states that floating stool is not always a sign of abnormality as it can result from excess intestinal gas.
•Excess intestinal gas may be caused by eating too quickly, irregular eating times, or consuming foods that produce gas.
•Dr. Zhuo Weiru warns that greasy stool or oil slicks on the water surface may signal incomplete fat digestion and absorption.
•Steatorrhea is characterized by large volumes of pale, loose stool that is greasy and has a strong foul odor.
•Dr. Zhuo Weiru advises caution if stool is consistently difficult to flush from the toilet, pale, and large in volume.
•A combination of floating, greasy, foul-smelling, and hard-to-flush stool is more concerning than floating stool occurring in isolation.
•Dr. Zhuo Weiru recommends that individuals with these persistent symptoms see a specialist for blood tests, stool tests, abdominal ultrasounds, or endoscopies.
•Diagnostic tests are used to evaluate the function of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and intestinal absorption capacity.

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Key Entities

Person

Dr. Zhuo Weiru(นพ.จั๋วเหวยหรู)

A medical specialist in gastroenterology, liver, and gallbladder.