Causes and treatment of sticky stools

The article is written by Master - Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Your stool can have a different consistency depending on your diet, your health, and even the medications you take. Sometimes, you may notice that some of your stool sticks to the toilet wall after you flush. Sticky stools can be a symptom of a temporary/chronic digestive disorder or the result of a diet that contains too much fat. Sticky stools can be greasy and pale or dark and black.

The quality of your stool is often a result of how your body reacts to the foods you eat. Example: A high-fat diet can lead to stools that are stickier than usual. That's because excess fat - beyond what the body normally absorbs - can settle in your stool, making it thicker and stickier.
Sticky stools can be a temporary side effect of too much fat in your diet but it can also signal a condition like Crohn's disease, which makes it difficult for the body to absorb dietary fat.
Crohn's disease is one of several conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Other disorders in that group include ulcerative colitis and microscopic colitis. All of these conditions can cause sticky stools.
Your stools may be sticky if you have a stomach ulcer or irritation of the esophagus. With these conditions, you may experience internal bleeding. Blood can mix with digestive juices and make your stools black and sticky.
Other medical conditions can also cause sticky stools after you eat certain foods. For example, if you have celiac disease, you can't properly digest gluten, a protein found in wheat and some other grains. Therefore, eating gluten can lead to sticky stools and other symptoms for people with celiac disease.
Sometimes, lactose intolerance can also cause sticky stools. People who are lactose intolerant lack the enzyme lactase. This enzyme is needed to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products.

You can easily treat sticky stools at home. Here are some simple lifestyle changes, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements you should try.
Drink enough water and exercise One of the best things you can do about sticky stools is to increase your water intake. A healthy digestive system with healthy stools depends on you staying hydrated.
Most people should drink two to three liters of water per day. However, the amount of water absorbed varies from person to person. If you have kidney, heart or liver problems, or other reasons you should drink less water, talk to your doctor about how much fluid is safe and enough for you.
Daily exercise also helps keep the digestive system healthy. Even a half-hour walk can improve your overall health.
Supplements Some supplements can also help get your stools back to normal. Probiotics are good bacteria that help promote a healthy gut. You can find probiotics in foods; such as yogurt and kefir.
You can also try digestive enzyme supplements. These enzymes are designed to help your body break down starches, fats, and proteins for better digestion and normal stools.
Consult your doctor before trying probiotics or enzymes. Especially when you have a digestive disorder, such as IBD.
Traditional medicine If your stools are sticky and you are also having problems with diarrhea, you can try Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate. These OTC medications are generally well tolerated for diarrhea.
However, if you notice blood or mucus in your stool, do not take your diarrhea medicine without consulting your doctor first. You should also avoid laxatives if you have stools.

One of the most effective ways to treat sticky stools is to choose foods that work for your digestive system.
In general, eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is a prescription for better digestion. These foods contain soluble fiber, which is important for bowel function. They also contain a wide range of nutrients for optimal overall health.
Some of the best foods to help keep your stool healthy are:
Asparagus. Broccoli. Carrot. Baked potato. Sweet potato. Green bean. Mango. Dream. Banana. Oranges. Oatmeal. Garbanzo beans. Since most causes of sticky stools are related to the foods you consume, the best treatment is to avoid the foods that are causing you problems.
For example, people with celiac disease usually have no other digestive problems. If these people avoid foods that contain gluten, they will have no symptoms, including sticky stools.
Foods containing gluten include:
Wheat. Buckwheat. Barley. Malt, including malt extract, malt vinegar,... If lactose intolerance is your problem, avoid cow's milk and dairy products, such as:
Cheese. Cream. Butter. Cream sauces and soups. You should also reduce high-fat foods, such as:
French fries. Cookies. Red meat. Pizza.

Sticky stools may only happen during one bowel movement, and the next day, your stools may be back to normal. If the cause of sticky stools is a high-fat diet, wait a day to see if anything changes. If nothing changes, continue to monitor and watch for any other symptoms that may signal a more serious cause.
In the absence of emergency symptoms, such as abdominal cramps or blood in the stool, try adjusting your diet. If a low-fat, low-protein, soluble fiber diet doesn't improve the quality of your stools, see your doctor.
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