Blue Green and White Stool Smells Like Mothballs
Stools form in the large intestine, or the colon, which is part of the digestive system. Usually, "good bacteria" live in your large intestine and help digest or break down the food remnants that enter the large intestine from the small intestine. Stools form during this process.
Stools then pass through the large intestine to the rectum for elimination from the body. The usual unpleasant smell associated with stools results from the bacteria.
In some cases, foul-smelling stools may be a symptom of a serious or life threatening condition, such as an intestinal infection, abscess, or obstruction.Get immediate medical care by calling 911 if you have foul-smelling stools with serious symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain, cramping, and bloody stools.
What can cause stool odor?
Foul-smelling stools can be the result of dietary changes, such as consuming foods with high sulfur content. Information about sulfur content in foods is limited, but some foods that contain sulfur include:
- proteins, including eggs
- dairy products
- garlic
- onions
- beans
- some cruciferous vegetables, including:
- Brussels sprouts
- cauliflower
- cabbage
- kale
- broccoli
- horseradish
- radish
- turnips
However, many conditions can lead to foul-smelling stools. Foul-smelling stools can be a symptom of inflammatory disorders, intestinal infections, malabsorption disorders, and inherited medical conditions.
Infectious causes of stool odor
Foul-smelling stools may arise from intestinal infections due to viruses, bacteria, and parasites, including:
Inflammatory causes of stool odor
Inflammatory causes of foul-smelling stools include:
- chronic pancreatitis
- Crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis
- microscopic colitis
Malabsorption causes of stool odor
Foul-smelling stools may arise from malabsorption disorders, when your body does not absorb nutrients from food efficiently.
One malabsorption disorder includes celiac disease, which is a severe sensitivity to gluten from wheat and other grains. The condition can cause intestinal damage. Another malabsorption disorder is short bowel syndrome, when your body does not absorb nutrients due to intestinal disease or surgery.
Inherited causes of stool odor
Foul-smelling stool is one possible symptom of cystic fibrosis, which is an inherited condition that causes thick mucus buildup in the lungs and digestive tract.
Serious or life threatening causes of stool odor
In some cases, foul-smelling stools may be a symptom of a serious or life threatening condition that needs immediate evaluation in an emergency setting. These include an abdominal abscess and intestinal obstruction.
Foul-smelling stools in infants
Foul-smelling, greasy stools in infants can be common, but if you notice it is persistent, new, or concerns you in any way, get medical help. It could be a symptom of:
- lactose intolerance
- cystic fibrosis
- cerebral palsy
- pancreatic insufficiency
What other symptoms might occur with stool odor?
Foul-smelling stools may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying health condition. Symptoms frequently affect the digestive tract, but they may also involve other body systems.
Digestive symptoms that may occur along with stool odor
Stool odor may accompany other symptoms affecting the digestive system, including:
- episodes of belching
- changes in stool color
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- stools that float
- flatulence and bloating
- mild abdominal cramping
- nausea
Other symptoms that may occur along with stool odor
Stool odor may accompany symptoms related to other body systems. Symptoms may include:
- fatigue
- fever
- joint pain or generalized body aches
- unexplained weight loss
Symptoms that might indicate a serious or life threatening condition
In some cases, foul-smelling stools may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a serious or life threatening condition. Cases such as those need immediate evaluation in an emergency setting. Get immediate medical care by calling 911 if you, or someone you are with, have a foul stool odor and any of the following symptoms:
- bloody or black stools
- changes in consciousness or alertness, such as lethargy or passing out
- high fever or chills
- severe abdominal cramping or abdominal pain
- symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth, decreased urination, or urinating very dark urine
Questions for diagnosing the cause of stool odor
To diagnose the underlying cause of foul-smelling stool, your doctor or licensed healthcare professional may ask you several questions related to your symptoms. You can best help your healthcare professional diagnose the underlying cause of your stool odor by providing complete answers to these questions:
- When did your stool odor start?
- What color are your stools? Are they lighter or darker than usual?
- Do you have difficulty pushing or moving your stools?
- What is your current diet? Have you made any recent changes in your diet?
- Do you notice a change in your stool odor with any particular foods or drinks?
- What are your other symptoms?
Your healthcare professional may request a stool sample to help in diagnosing the underlying cause of your stool odor.
What are the potential complications of stool odor?
Complications of foul-smelling stool depend on the underlying condition. Identifying and treating the underlying cause of stool odor is important to minimize potential complications.
Because frequent foul-smelling stool can be due to serious conditions, lacking treatment can result in serious complications.
Once a healthcare professional diagnoses the underlying cause, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan you and your healthcare professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications, including:
- dehydration due to a decreased desire to drink fluids
- loss of appetite
- inadequate nutrition due to a decreased desire to eat
How to prevent foul-smelling stools
If foul-smelling stools are due to an underlying condition, such as Crohn's disease, it may not be possible to prevent the condition itself.
To prevent the spread of infections that can cause foul-smelling stools, maintain hygiene habits and maintain physical distance from people you know who have an infection already.
However, there may be ways to prevent foul-smelling stools that are due to dietary changes. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation recommends trying the following tips to minimize digestive symptoms:
- eating 4–6 small meals per day instead of larger portions
- avoiding dairy products, such as milk and soft cheeses
- reducing your intake of ultra-processed foods and unhealthy fats
- limiting your intake of foods with insoluble fiber, such as cruciferous vegetables
- consuming fewer sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol
- lowering caffeine and alcohol intake
Summary
Foul-smelling stools are usually the result of dietary changes. An example of this could be consuming foods that are high in sulfur, such as eggs.
However, many conditions and infections can cause foul-smelling stools, too. These include Salmonella and E. coli infections, and conditions such as Crohn's disease, lactose intolerance, and celiac disease.
Source: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/digestive-health/why-does-my-poop-smell-so-bad
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