Having thick loose stools can be an unpleasant and concerning symptom. Thick loose stools indicate that there is excess water content in the stool, giving it a mushy consistency. There are several potential causes for thick loose stools including diet, medications, infections, and underlying medical conditions.
What is thick loose stool?
Thick loose stool, also known as mushy stool, refers to stool that has a soft, mushy consistency. With thick loose stools, the stool takes on a muddy or paste-like appearance and can be difficult to pass. Thick loose stools contain excess water, giving them a loose consistency while still maintaining some solidity.
Normal stools are usually firm and shaped. Thick loose stools indicate that the water content in the stool is higher than normal. Having an occasional loose stool is not necessarily cause for concern. However, if you experience consistently loose or watery stools over several days or weeks, it can signify an underlying intestinal issue.
What causes thick loose stools?
There are several possible causes for thick loose stools including:
- Diet – Eating foods that are high in fat, fiber, dairy or sugar alcohols can cause loose stools. Food sensitivities like lactose intolerance can also lead to loose stools after consuming dairy products.
- Medications – Antibiotics, antacids, laxatives, cholesterol drugs and anti-inflammatories may cause diarrhea or loose stools as a side effect.
- Infections – Viral, bacterial and parasitic infections like norovirus, salmonella and giardia can infect the GI tract and cause loose stools.
- Digestive conditions – Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), malabsorption syndromes and intestinal parasites can lead to chronic loose stools.
- Other medical conditions – Chronic pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, tumors and neurological disorders can also cause loose stool.
Let’s look at some of the most common causes of thick loose stool in more detail:
Diet
Diet is one of the most common reasons for loose stools. Some foods are difficult for the body to digest fully and can draw extra fluid into the intestines, resulting in watery stool. Foods linked to loose stools include:
- High fat foods: Greasy, fried foods and fatty meats like bacon take longer to digest. This can cause loose stools.
- Fiber: While fiber is essential for regular bowel movements, too much fiber at once can absorb water in the colon and result in loose stools.
- Sugar alcohols: Sugar substitutes like xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol found in sugar-free gums, candies and diet foods can have a laxative effect.
- Caffeine and alcohol: Coffee, tea, soda and alcohol can stimulate the intestines and cause looser stools.
- Dairy: Lactose intolerant individuals lack the enzyme to properly digest lactose in dairy. Consuming dairy foods can cause bloating, gas and loose stools.
- Spicy foods: Heavily spiced dishes may irritate the stomach and intestines in some people, resulting in occasional loose stools.
Medications
There are many types of medications that may cause diarrhea or loose stools as a side effect. Some of the main medication culprits include:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics kill off beneficial bacteria in the gut allowing harmful bacteria to overgrow, causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
- Antacids containing magnesium: Magnesium-based antacids like Milk of Magnesia draw water into the colon by osmosis.
- Laxatives: Stimulant, osmotic and stool softener laxatives cause loose stools by increasing bowel contractions or fluid levels.
- Cholesterol drugs: Medications like statins and fibrates may impact fat digestion and absorption.
- Anti-inflammatories: Drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can irritate the stomach lining and impact the intestines.
- Blood pressure medications: Some high blood pressure drugs like ACE inhibitors or diuretics may cause diarrhea.
- Supplements: Vitamin C, iron, magnesium or fish oil supplements may loosen stools with high doses.
Always talk to your doctor if you experience ongoing loose stools after starting a new medication.
Infections
Infections that affect the gastrointestinal tract often cause diarrhea as an early symptom. Common infections that may lead to loose stools include:
- Viral infection: Viruses like norovirus, rotavirus and adenovirus infect the lining of the intestines, causing inflammation and loose stools.
- Bacterial infection: Bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, Shigella, Campylobacter and C. difficile release toxins that irritate the intestines.
- Parasitic infection: Parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium can disrupt the intestine’s ability to absorb water and nutrients properly.
- Traveler’s diarrhea: Drinking contaminated food or water while traveling can lead to digestive infections.
Infectious diarrhea often resolves on its own within a few days. See a doctor if symptoms persist beyond 3 days or are accompanied by fever, bloody stool, dehydration or severe pain.
Digestive conditions
Chronic loose stools can be a symptom of certain digestive disorders including:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS causes abnormal motility and muscle contractions in the colon, resulting in diarrhea or constipation.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis create inflammation and ulcers in the intestines and chronic diarrhea.
- Malabsorption syndromes: Conditions like celiac disease, short bowel syndrome and Whipple’s disease affect the intestines’ ability to absorb nutrients properly.
- Intestinal parasites: Worms or single cell parasites can infect the GI tract and impair digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): Excess bacteria in the small intestine cause gas, bloating and loose stools.
See a gastroenterologist if you have ongoing loose stools for proper diagnosis and treatment of any underlying digestive conditions.
Other medical conditions
Some chronic diseases and conditions affecting other organs besides the intestines may also lead to loose stools including:
- Chronic pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas disrupts its ability to produce digestive enzymes for breaking down food properly.
- Hyperthyroidism: Excess thyroid hormone speeds up digestion and causes more frequent bowel movements.
- Uncontrolled diabetes: Nerve and muscle damage affects the process of absorption and bowel movements.
- Tumors: Cancerous tumors in the intestines or surrounding organs can partially block intestines.
- Neurological disorders: Conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or spinal cord injuries affect the nerves controlling the digestive process.
Consult your doctor to identify any underlying illness that could be contributing to loose stools.
When to see a doctor
Occasional loose stools may not be a cause for concern. However, see your doctor if you experience:
- Loose stools persisting longer than 2 weeks
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Blood or pus in the stool
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fever higher than 101°F (38°C)
- Signs of dehydration like dizziness, dry mouth or dark urine
Prompt medical care is important if your loose stools are accompanied by any alarming symptoms or you are unable to keep fluids down. Chronic loose stools should be evaluated to identify any underlying condition requiring treatment.
How is the cause of loose stools diagnosed?
To diagnose the reason behind your loose stools, the doctor will typically begin with a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. Diagnostic tests may include:
- Stool culture: Checking a stool sample for bacterial infections like salmonella and parasitic infections.
- Blood tests: Complete blood count, electrolyte panel, thyroid and kidney function tests.
- Imaging tests: Abdominal X-ray or CT scan to look for intestinal obstruction or inflammation.
- Colonoscopy: Inserting a colonoscope into the large intestine to check for IBD, tumors or colitis.
- Breath tests: Breath tests check for lactose intolerance or bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
Your doctor will look at your test results, medical history and medications to diagnose the underlying problem causing your loose stools.
Treatment for loose stools
Treatment depends on the cause of the loose stools. Some general treatment approaches may include:
- Dietary changes: Avoiding foods that worsen loose stools like dairy, greasy foods, sugars, caffeine and alcohol.
- Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications: Loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate tablets can help reduce loose stools.
- Probiotics: Taking probiotic supplements can help restore normal gut bacteria for better digestion.
- Supplemental digestion enzymes: Enzyme supplements aid in fully breaking down carbohydrates, fats and dairy.
- Treating infections: Diarrhea caused by bacterial infections is treated with antibiotics. Parasitic infections are treated with anti-parasitic drugs.
- Managing medical conditions: Conditions like IBS, diabetes, and thyroid disorders require specialized medications and lifestyle management.
Be sure to stay well hydrated and get plenty of rest when experiencing loose stools. Seek urgent care if you have signs of severe dehydration. Avoid self-medicating with anti-diarrheal drugs for more than 2 days.
When to see a gastroenterologist
Make an appointment with a gastroenterologist if you have:
- Loose stools lasting more than 2 weeks
- Severe pain with diarrhea
- Blood or pus in stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Family history of celiac disease, IBD or colon cancer
- Need evaluation for suspected digestive condition like IBS, IBD or chronic infection
A gastroenterologist specializes in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal conditions. They can perform necessary tests like a colonoscopy or endoscopy to determine the cause of chronic loose stools. Early evaluation and treatment of underlying digestive problems can prevent complications.
Prevention
You can take some steps to avoid loose stools by:
- Drinking plenty of water and fluids like broths
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoiding triggering foods like dairy, caffeine, alcohol, high-fat or gas-producing foods
- Not ignoring urges to have a bowel movement
- Washing hands frequently to prevent infections
- Always taking antibiotics as prescribed and with food
Practicing good food safety, personal hygiene and smart dietary habits can help prevent infections or dietary issues that cause loose stools.
When to seek emergency treatment
Seek immediate medical care if you experience:
- Bloody stool or black, tarry stool indicating bleeding
- No urine output for 8 hours
- Dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, cold sweaty skin due to dehydration
- Inability to keep down any fluids due to vomiting
- High fever (over 102°F)
- Recent travel to tropical areas where you may have gotten infected
Severe dehydration, severe abdominal pain, high fever or bloody stool are all signs of a serious health issue requiring emergency treatment. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER so you can be evaluated and treated promptly if showing these symptoms.
Summary
Experiencing thick loose stools once in a while may not necessitate treatment. However, if loose stools persist or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to determine the underlying cause. Diet, medications, infections, chronic illnesses, and digestive disorders are common culprits. With proper diagnosis, management of medical conditions, and care to prevent dehydration, thick loose stools can often be successfully treated for better digestive health.