Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsInfectionsSteatorrhea and MalabsorptionIrritable Bowel SyndromeFoamy Poop in BabiesTreatmentWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Infections
Steatorrhea and Malabsorption
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Foamy Poop in Babies
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Foamy poop can have a number of causes, including stomach flu, conditions like celiac disease and chronic pancreatitis, and parasitic infections likegiardiasis. However, the presence of bubbly, frothy, or foamy poop or diarrhea isn’t enough to inform a diagnosis alone.
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Causes of foamy poop can include short-term gastrointestinal infections, chronic conditions of the digestive system, or changes to your bowel after surgery. Some infections are common.
Stomach Flu
Gastroenteritis, also called the stomach flu, can cause foamy diarrhea. This happens when infection in the gastrointestinal tract leads to gas bubbles that are passed along with loose stools.
Viral and bacterial gastroenteritis can be prevented with good hygiene practices like hand washing. Cooking food to a safe internal temperature and taking steps to prevent cross-contamination can preventfoodborne illness.
Giardasis
Giardia can cause a variety of other gastrointestinal symptoms, including:
If your healthcare provider suspects giardiasis, they may test a sample of your stool for the presence of the Giardia parasite.
There are a number of ways to prevent giardiasis including avoiding food or drink that may be contaminated, practicingsafer sex(including condom use), and not swallowing water found in pools, hot tubs, or untreated swimming areas like lakes or rivers.
Steatorrheadescribes an increased amount of fat or mucus passed in the stool. Steatorrhea is a key symptom of fatmalabsorption, which means the body does not fully absorb certain fats.
When this occurs, fat content in the stool may increase, which can produce stools that may be foamy, greasy, pale or clay-colored, or have a foul odor.Thissticky stoolmay be difficult to flush, cling to the sides of the toilet, or even float on top of the water.
Some causes of fat and nutrient malabsorption can include:
Other conditions, including lactose intolerance and Whipple’s disease (an intestinal disorder), can lead to types of malabsorption and foamy stool symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms typically include abdominal pain and discomfort, gas, bloating, and constipation and/or diarrhea.
Foamy stools are also a common symptom of IBS, although the role of diet andnutrient malabsorptionisn’t well-defined.The cause of IBS is unclear, but some researchers believe it is related to an over- or undergrowth of the normal bacteria in your digestive system. Psychological factors like stress and anxiety may also contribute to this condition.
There are no specific tests to diagnose IBS, but you may need blood tests or stool samples to rule out other causes such as celiac disease. An IBS diagnosis is usually made based on your symptoms and medical history after other conditions are excluded.
Does Healthy Poop Float or Sink?Some people may find their poop floats while others notice their poop sinks. Floating poop is not always a cause for concern but may indicate:PancreatitisToo much gas, usually related to dietMalabsorptionA gastrointestinal infection
Does Healthy Poop Float or Sink?
Some people may find their poop floats while others notice their poop sinks. Floating poop is not always a cause for concern but may indicate:PancreatitisToo much gas, usually related to dietMalabsorptionA gastrointestinal infection
Some people may find their poop floats while others notice their poop sinks. Floating poop is not always a cause for concern but may indicate:
Treatment options for foamy stools will vary based on the underlying cause:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have consistently frothy stools, you may have an issue with proper absorption within the digestive tract. This can warrant a visit to your healthcare provider as long-term complications from malabsorption that can include:
Summary
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Penn Medicine.The scoop on poop: what does your poop say about your health?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Giardia.
Loma Linda University.Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Malabsorption.
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.Cystic fibrosis and the digestive system.
The National Pancreas Foundation.Chronic pancreatitis causes and symptoms.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for celiac disease.
NHS.Overview - celiac disease.
Altobelli E, Del Negro V, Angeletti PM, Latella G.Low-FODMAP Diet Improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis.Nutrients.2017;9(9):940. doi:10.3390/nu9090940
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for celiac disease.
NHS.Treatment - chronic pancreatitis.
MedlinePlus.Malabsorption.
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