Sticky Poop
Sticky Poop: Causes and Remedies
Have you ever noticed that your poop sticked to the toilet bowl after flushing and wondered
why?
Your diet and underlying health condition determine the consistency of your stool.
Hence, sticky stool may be a signal of a high-fat diet, or a temporary or chronic digestive
disorder.
This article explains what sticky stool is, its causes, prevention, and treatment.
What is Sticky Poop?
Sticky poop is a stool that sticks to the toilet bowl, leaving streaks even after flushing. It has a
tacky consistency, making the stool difficult to wipe away.
Top Four(4) Causes of Sticky Poop
These are the Top Four(4) Causes of Sticky Poop:
1. Excess Fatty Foods)
Excess fat obtained from diet leaves your body in the poop. Therefore, eating too much high-fat
foods can make your poop greasier, creating an oily film that floats on water.
Sticky poops that are caused by fatty food are usually pale, loose, and buoyant. This condition
is known as Steatorrhea.
2. Blood in the Stool / Ulcers
The presence of blood in your stool could make it sticky and dark in color. Hence, sticky poop
may be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding as a result of stomach ulcers.
However, it is harmless when you can have a non-sticky dark poop as a result of some
medications like iron.
3. Excess Mucus
Naturally, your poop have small amount of mucus, as they help to lubricate your stool and the
lining of your intestines. This makes it easier for you to poop.
However, conditions such as hemorrhoids, inflammation, Cystic fibrosis, constipation,
Inflammatory bowel disease, and Lactose intolerance can make your intestines produce mucus
in excess.
4. Pancreas problems
Having a problem with your pancreas, such as Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), can also
make your poop sticky. This is because you would be unable to produce sufficient digestive
enzymes to break down essential nutrients, including fats from foods.
EPI is mostly caused by chronic pancreatitis in adults or cystic fibrosis in children. Other
conditions, including celiac disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatic
cancer, can also increase the risk of EPI.
Is Sticky Poop Normal?
Passing out sticky poop as a result of high-fat food intake is normal. However, experiencing a
long-term change in your poop formation may indicate issues with your gastrointestinal system.
Also, a serious health condition can be suspected when your poop is sticky and have blood
visible blood stain
Home Remedies for Sticky Poop
These are the remedies for sticky Poop:
● Hydration: Drinking lots of water will help you stay hydrated. This will, in turn, keep your
stool hydrated and reduce its stickiness
● Diet: Making smart choices about your diet is a very effective way to treat sticky stool.
You should cut down on foods that are high in fat and eat more of those that are rich in
fibre
● Exercise: Engage in daily exercise as it is associated with a healthy digestive system.
How to Prevent Sticky Poop
The best way to prevent sticky poop is to eat a healthy diet and reduce high-fat food.
When to Contact a Doctor
There is no cause for alarm when you have sticky poop ocassionally. Therefore, if you notice
that your stool is sticky, wait a day or two to see if it changes.
However, you should contact a healthcare provider if your sticky stool lasts for more than a
week or is accompanied by blood or abdominal cramps