• Digestive Disorders

Should You Be Concerned About Floating Stool? Here’s What You Should Know

Medically reviewed and edited by Samantha Wannos, FNP-C

Although experiencing a floating stool doesn’t often raise concerns, it can be an important indicator of your digestive health.

That’s why it’s important to understand the potential causes of floating stool and the symptoms that may require medical attention if they develop.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at everything you should know about floating stool, including how to treat it and maintain a healthy digestive system.

What is Floating Stool?

Floating stool refers to poop that stays on the surface of the toilet bowl water instead of sinking to the bottom.

This phenomenon can be an occasional or frequent occurrence and primarily reflects the composition of the stool, which we’ll discuss in more detail soon.

What Causes Poop to Float?

Dietary factors

Your diet plays the biggest role in determining the characteristics of your stool, including whether it sinks or floats. Two main factors can influence this:

High fiber intake

Fiber is essential for digestive health, promoting regular bowel movements, and preventing constipation.

However, a diet exceptionally high in fiber can lead to the production of excess gas in the colon, which can cause your stool to float.

Fiber-rich foods like beans, vegetables, and whole grains can trap more gas in stool, making it lighter and prone to floating.

Fat content

Foods high in fat can also make stool float. Fats are less dense than water, and if they are not fully absorbed by the intestines, they increase the fat content in the stool.

This unabsorbed fat adds to the stool's buoyancy, causing it to float.

The occasional consumption of fatty meals might also result in floating stools without indicating an underlying health issue.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption refers to the body’s inability to absorb various nutrients, especially fats.

This is part of a group of specific functional bowel disorders that can increase the fat content of the stool, causing it to float.

Several health conditions can contribute to malabsorption, including:

• Celiac disease: This is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, impairing nutrient absorption.

• Chronic pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can affect the organ's ability to produce enzymes the body needs to digest and absorb nutrients.

• Cystic fibrosis (CF): This is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system — including the pancreas — which can lead to malabsorption of nutrients.

• Gallbladder diseases: Disorders affecting the gallbladder, such as gallstones or cholecystitis, can impede the flow of bile necessary for the digestion of fats.

If you suspect that you may have developed any of these conditions, speak to your doctor about a professional diagnosis as soon as possible.

Gastrointestinal infections

If the gastrointestinal (GI) tract becomes infected, it can temporarily disrupt its function. This can cause changes in stool characteristics, including buoyancy.

GI tract infections can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can lead to symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain.

You may also experience:

• Increased gas production: Certain pathogens can cause undigested carbohydrates to ferment in the gut, producing excess gas that can cause floating stools.

• Inflammation: Inflammatory responses from infections may result in more fluid being released into the intestines, altering stool consistency and gas content, and potentially causing stool to float.

Although gastrointestinal infections are temporary, monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention if they don’t improve.

When is Floating Stool a Sign of Health Issues?

Passing a floating stool may prompt questions and concerns about your digestive health.

That’s why it’s important to be able to distinguish between normal variations in floating poop and knowing when your symptoms may require medical intervention.

Let’s take a closer look at what that means:

Normal variations

The occasional appearance of floating stool is usually related to dietary changes.

For example, if you’ve recently started incorporating more fiber into your diet, you may experience floating stools for a while.

If this is the case, you usually don’t need to be concerned about changes in your bowel habits.

Important warning signs and symptoms

Understanding the warning signs and symptoms that may accompany floating stool can help you know when to consult your doctor for professional advice and treatment.

These signs may include:

• Regular and unexplained floating stool, independent of dietary changes

• Changes in stool color, texture, and smell

• Abdominal pain or discomfort

• Feeling unusually tired or weak

These symptoms could signal malabsorption or other underlying health conditions that usually require professional medical attention.

How is Floating Stool Treated and Managed?

Dietary adjustments

Making dietary changes is usually one of the first steps in treating floating stool and restoring digestive health.

Following a balanced diet that includes the correct amount of fiber — 20 to 30 grams per day — can help normalize your stool.

You can also reduce your intake of foods that are high in fat or known to cause excess gas to help decrease the occurrence of floating stools.

In some cases, a healthcare professional may recommend a specific dietary plan to address any sensitivities — such as gluten or lactose intolerance — that may be contributing to your stool issues.

Managing underlying conditions

If your floating stool is caused by factors like malabsorption or gastrointestinal disorders, managing these conditions is essential.

Your specific treatment plan will vary based on the condition and severity of the diagnosis, but it may include:

• Medications to address and prevent infections

• Supplements to improve nutrient absorption

• Therapies to manage chronic conditions like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Your doctor will also closely monitor your progress to ensure the treatment is effective and make adjustments as required.

Lifestyle changes

In addition to making dietary changes and managing underlying conditions, implementing certain lifestyle adjustments can also help reduce the frequency of floating poop.

These changes may include:

• Getting more regular exercise to improve gut motility

• Drinking enough water to stay hydrated and promote healthy bowel movements

• Reducing stress through relaxation techniques to improve gut bacteria balance and function

Applying these changes to your routine will not only treat floating stool, but it will also help support a healthy and optimally functioning digestive system.

Regular checkups

For individuals experiencing persistent floating stool or underlying health conditions, regular checkups with your doctor are crucial.

These appointments allow them to monitor your condition, adjust your treatment plan, and detect any potential complications early on.

During these visits, you can also discuss your symptoms, dietary habits, and any concerns you may have about your digestive health.

This can help you ensure that you get proper and comprehensive treatment for any digestive problems you encounter.

When Should You See a Doctor About Floating Stool?

Remember that experiencing floating stool occasionally isn’t cause for concern.

However, it may also indicate more serious health conditions and it’s important to keep an eye on your symptoms.

In addition to the warning signs mentioned before, you should consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Signs of malnutrition

• Changes in appetite

• Significant weight loss

• Gastrointestinal symptoms

These symptoms may be a sign of infections or conditions affecting major organs like the pancreas, liver, or gallbladder, and require immediate medical attention.

Where Can You Learn More About Maintaining Bowel Health?

If you’re concerned about your bowel habits or want to know more about maintaining a healthy digestive system, LifeMD is here to help.

A team of medical professionals can assist you with information and provide guidance on maintaining your bowel health and preventing complications.

Make an appointment with LifeMD today to learn more about digestive system care — all from the comfort of your home.

Samantha Wannos, FNP-C

Samantha has 10 years of critical care experience and approximately six years of internal medicine experience. She is skilled in helping patients manage a multitude of chronic health conditions. In her free time, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband and children, going boating, and attending concerts.

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