The way your fecal matter looks and smells says a lot about the overall health you have. More specifically, it is the biggest indicator to know the functioning of the digestive and gastrointestinal system as well as the other possible infections or diseases such as the ones related to the colon. The fecal matter is made up of the dead cells in the digestive system such as fiber, bile bacteria, and other waste products of the system. Considering these various features it is easier to understand the varying nature of the stool in terms of the consistency, smell, color, size and shape.
Causes of Sticky Poop
If it takes you more than once to flush and there is still some fecal matter left in your toilet seat then you have a sticky stool. A normal stool is easy to pass and is neither too hard nor too soft. Sticky poop, also known as skid mark poop leaves hard skid marks in the toilet seat and is too sticky to flush which indicates higher content of fat in the poop and naturally in the diet. The color is often Khaki and is quite different from the normal poop color. Sticky stool also indicates trouble in the gall bladder or liver. Drinking more water, lemon juice and skipping alcohol is the first and foremost action one needs to take.
Sticky poop is mainly of two types. One is the greasy stool that floats, and the other is black and tarry that mostly occurs due to stomach inflammation, ulcers and internal bleeding in rare cases. On the other hand, the greasy stool is a result of pancreatitis, food intolerance and bad absorption capacity.
Some of the common causes of a sticky poop are as follows:
- Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a product that gets secreted by the liver and is further stored in the gallbladder to be passed along with the bile to the intestines. In this stage they are also exposed to and acted upon by the bacteria which results in the changes of the chemical composition and the color of the stool.
- Fatty Foods
If one is consuming more than the desired average amount of fat then the excessive bad fats make bad cholesterol, that will be passed with the fecal matter. On an average the fat intake that is recommended is 20%-35% of the total calories in a day. Foods with good fat and good cholesterol such as eggs, meat and dairy products can and should be taken in moderation. However, consuming other foods with higher content of fats, such as cheese, potato fries, candies and chips will contribute more fat than what is required in the body. The stool gets thicker and stickier as the excess fats pass along with the stool.
- Protein rich food
Consumption of unhealthy and excessive proteins lead to an action by the enzymes and hydrochloric acid to further make amino acids. In case the hydrochloric acid level stays higher after the digestion it can cause corrosion of the walls of the stomach causing ulcers. If these ulcers bleed the blood leads to formation of a dark and sticky poop. One should stick to healthier protein options such as white meat, dairy products and egg whites.
- Intolerance for certain foods:
People can be intolerant towards certain food items like gluten mostly found in wheat, rye and barley. It is also found in lactose and other types of packaged foods and milk products like yoghurt and cheese. People who are allergic to these foods often experience a sticky stool.
Dealing with Sticky Poop
Sticky stool or for that matter any drastic change in the normal appearance of the stool shouldn’t be taken lightly and should be dealt with as soon as it comes to the notice as it could be a symptom of an underlying situation. Some simple points that can be followed to cope up with sticky poop are as follows:
- Have optimum amount of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, preferable in the raw form.
- Drink at least 6 liters of water every day for a smooth bowel movement and flushing out the toxins.
- Apart from the diet it is also essential to remain physically fit and exercise regularly for better digestion and overall health.
- Stay away as much as possible from overdosing laxatives and drugs.
- Alcohol consumption and smoking should also be cut down.
- Foods that you are allergic to should also be avoided.
- Certain exercises such as squatting help in properly evacuating the stool and allow only a minimal pressure to pass the stool.
Lifestyle changes is the most important step one can take to cope up with Sticky stool and other digestive problems. Go for healthy carbs, green leafy vegetables and plenty of fruits and fiber. Increase the intake of water and healthy fluids such as coconut water and fresh fruit juice can also prove to be very helpful. These changes will improve the growth of good bacteria and cut down the bad one in the colon and also maintain an overall healthy digestion.
