What makes poop float

Here are the main reasons behind this type of stool poop , ways to prevent it, and when you should see a healthcare provider. Your intestines, or bowels , are part of your digestive system. They help your body break down and digest food. Most of the time, floating stool is the result of something you ate. If you eat a large meal or something that produces gas, the gas mixes with stool in the intestines. The extra air from the gas makes poop less dense, or packed.

This leads it to float when it hits the toilet bowl. Have you noticed you feel gassy after you eat specific foods? That's because certain types of foods can produce gas. Here are some examples:. Many of these foods contain sugars that can make excess gas, like sorbitol or fructose.

For instance, prunes, apples, peaches, and sugar-free foods contain sorbitol. Sodas, honey, and fruit juices are high in fructose. If your floating stool is a result of gas-producing food, there's some good news. Your poop should return to normal after you eat less of the foods that bother you. People with lactose intolerance may have floating poop when they eat dairy products. That's because they have low levels of the enzyme lactase that the body needs to digest lactose a sugar in milk.

Lactose isn't only in milk—it's also in many other dairy products, like yogurt, ice cream, and some cheeses. That's why someone with lactose intolerance might become bloated or gassy after eating dairy , which can lead to floating stool. Along with gas, people with irritable bowel syndrome IBS may have floating stools. The researchers concluded that floating stools were a characteristic feature of IBS. Excess gas in your stool can make it to float.

Eating foods that contain sugars like sorbitol or fructose can produce excess gas. People with lactose intolerance and IBS might have a similar experience. Here's a look at several conditions that can lead to floating stools. Some medical conditions can cause malabsorption, or the inability to absorb nutrients from the food you eat. Unsurprisingly, malabsorption can lead to floating poop. Conditions that disturb the lining of your digestive tract can have this effect, such as:.

Chronic pancreatitis is when there's inflammation in your pancreas. The condition is usually a result of gallstones or long-term alcohol abuse.

It often occurs after acute, or sudden, pancreatitis. It's also linked to diabetes. While floating stool is common in pancreatitis, you may experience other symptoms as well. Stomach pain, back pain, bloating, and weight loss are all common. Sclerosing cholangitis affects the bile ducts in and around your liver. It's closely linked with ulcerative colitis. Foods rich in fiber, especially insoluble fiber, make poop less dense.

Fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, form a vital part of a healthful diet, so floating stool due to fiber consumption may actually signal good health. Recommendations for fiber intake vary by age and sex.

Women aged 19 to 50 should consume at least 25 grams g of fiber per day, while men in the same age group need at least 38 g of daily fiber. Gas lowers the density of poop, causing it to float. Many high-fiber foods, such as beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, can cause gas. Some people also develop gas when they change their diet.

If poop floats after eating a new food or when switching to a new diet, gas could be the culprit. An infection in the gastrointestinal tract, such as from E. Sometimes, these infections also cause gas, which lowers the density of poop. Most stomach infections are temporary and go away without treatment. A person should drink plenty of fluids and rest while they are recovering from a stomach infection.

If the symptoms get worse or do not improve with time, see a doctor. Some gastrointestinal disorders can cause poop to float.

For some people, floating poop may be the first warning sign of a gastrointestinal or bowel problem. When floating stool occurs alongside other symptoms, such as pain, diarrhea , bloating, or constipation , it may signal an underlying gastrointestinal issue. Editorial team. Stools — floating. Floating stools alone are not a sign of an illness or other health problem. Floating stools may also happen if you have a gastrointestinal infection. When to Contact a Medical Professional.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit. Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, such as: When did you first notice the floating stools?

Does it happen all the time or from time to time? What is your basic diet? Does a change in your diet change your stools? Do you have other symptoms? For example, eating a lot of green, leafy vegetables can turn your poop green. Also, food coloring can change the color of your poop. Blood in your stool can cause your poop to appear red. Your primary care provider can determine if there are any problems with your digestive system by performing a physical exam and lab or imagining tests.

The important thing is staying regular. If your pooping habits seem to suddenly become more or less frequent, that can be a cause for concern. Not only can it be inconvenient, it can mean that your body is trying to get rid of something in your digestive system.