The health signs that the intestine gives from the stool

Why do your bowel movements suddenly smell bad? Let’s be realistic—no one’s poop smells like Easter, but if you’ve noticed that yours has had an even stronger odor lately, that could be a sign that something is going on in your body.

«The smell of feces always depends on two things: »What you eat and the bacteria in your gut," explains Larry Good, M.D., a gastroenterologist.

There are 10 trillion microorganisms living in the human gastrointestinal tract.

The smell of feces is caused by the gases produced in the intestine when non-digestible carbohydrates (dietary fiber) undergo fermentation there. So, if your stool smells stronger than usual for a day or two, don’t worry: It’s most likely due to something you ate.

But what if that smell just won't go away? In that case, you should talk to your doctor, especially if your bathroom habits have changed as well.

It can be a sign of many conditions, ranging from a simple allergy or food intolerance to irritable bowel syndrome or a problem with nutrient malabsorption, bleeding somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract, or a serious bacterial infection.

Although you probably don't like the idea of talking to your doctor When it comes to your bathroom habits, don't be shy: Doctors have heard it all before, and you might get some information that could save your life or at least dramatically improve your health and comfort.

What does your doctor need to know about your gut?;

«Of course, bowel movements are a natural need, and we all do them—there’s no right or wrong way,» says Larry Good, M.D., a gastroenterologist. «Each of us does it differently, and some people tend to have looser stools»—and that might not be a bad thing," he says. The key is to pay attention to what’s normal for your own body.

What concerns doctors most is when things change from the norm. If, for example, your stools are noticeably looser than usual—and this doesn’t change within a few days—then it’s time to talk to your doctor.

The American Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases states that adults who have diarrhea for more than two days should seek medical attention. If you have a fever and notice blood or pus in your stool, you may need to call your doctor even sooner.

But what is it that is causing this new digestive discomfort?; Good says there are many possibilities:

• It could be a viral or bacterial infection, a side effect from a medication you are taking (such as antibiotics), a recent allergy or intolerance to a certain food, or a chronic condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
• If your digestive problems are accompanied by weight loss, «If you have anemia or severe pain, you should consider that something is wrong and that there may be a more serious condition, such as colon cancer.»“When you see your doctor, they’ll likely ask you to describe how loose your stools are,” explains Good.
• «There really is a scale—the Bristol Stool Scale—that is used in scientific studies, in order to assess the severity of diarrhea. Level 1 corresponds to constipation, while Level 7 corresponds to very watery stools; Levels 4 and 5 are considered normal.
• However, the consistency of your stool isn't the only change worth keeping an eye on: »If you're going to the bathroom more or less often than usual, that's another important issue you should discuss with your doctor.".