There are a multitude of reasons your poop might be weird. Here is a list of some of the most common causes of weird poop. Afterwards we will take a look at each point to see why it causes weird poop and natural solutions to your poop problems!
- Allergies
- Candida overgrowth
- Something you ate affected your stool
- Stressed, anxiety, nervousness, depression
- Dehydration
- Thyroid issues
- Medical problems
- Blood loss
The Effect of Allergies on Poop
Most people are well aware that allergies can cause discomforting symptoms such as hay fever, asthma, eczema and hives. Allergies can also affect digestion and elimination, causing upset stomachs, unimaginable pain, vomiting, bloating, and more.
Allergies are one of the main contenders for causing strange poop. It can cause loose stools, blood in stools, diarrhea, and even more chronic bowel issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is true for both food allergies and environmental allergies. Furthermore, something that is interesting is that sometimes allergy drops taken to get allergy symptoms under control can quell IBS symptoms as well.
Many people recognize dairy allergies and lactose intolerance as a major cause for diarrhea and/or constipation. As the gluten-free movement becomes more popular, many realize that their symptoms could be caused by gluten as well.
Nursing babies can also have weird poop due to allergies. When proteins they are allergic to pass through their mother’s milk, it can cause diarrhea, blood in stools, frothy poop, green poop, etc. The most common proteins that affect nurslings include milk and soy proteins, which is also referred to as MSPI (milk and soy protein intolerance).
Any allergy has the potential to affect elimination processes, including allergies to pineapple, corn, shellfish, etc! This is because when you have an allergy, the proteins from that food are at odds with your body. They may induce damage to your digestive tract and small intestine, reducing your ability to properly break down the food, and absorb essential vitamins and nutrients. If it is not a true allergy, digestive enzymes such as Bio-Gest can prove beneficial.
Bio-Gest has a wide variety of digestive enzymes that does the work so your body doesn’t have to struggle with proteins it is having difficulty digesting on its own. If you find your poop weird despite having no allergies, digestive enzymes will really help you. The benefits include digesting food fully, and thus absorbing essential nutrients properly. They can help eliminate many problems including indigestion, acid reflux, bloating and gas, etc. Click here to order them now, and take with every meal. You’ll notice results quickly!
Why Candida Overgrowth Could Be The Cause of Your Weird Poop
Candida albicans is a yeast that is naturally found on and inside our bodies. It becomes pathogenic when there is an overgrowth, and can cause a disease known as candidiasis. This disease more commonly occurs after antibiotic use, as antibiotics kill both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria, but allows yeast to flourish.
Many people are aware of candidiasis as yeast infections that affect the vagina. Some are aware of thrush that can affect the mouth. It is not common knowledge that candidiasis affects the intestines, however. When candida takes over the intestines, it can come out in stool. This causes stool that is white and stringy, frothy, and/or full of mucus. It can also cause bloating, cramping and extreme flatulence. Many people report having intense sugar cravings when they have candida. And unfortunately, it can also spread to other parts of the body, including externally.
There are multiple causes for candida aside from antibiotic use. One such reason is low stomach acid. Low stomach acid can be fixed pretty easily by taking apple cider vinegar with mother with each meal, eating plenty of fermented foods, squeezing fresh lemon or lime juice in water and on salads, or by taking a hydrocholoric acid (HCL) supplement. Click here to read more about the HCL supplement that we recommend. It is high quality, potent, and doesn’t contain harmful fillers.
The Direct Impact Food Has On Feces
You are not eating enough, or eating the wrong types of food
How Your Emotional State Affects Your Elimination Process
While most who struggle with bowel issues know that it can have a negative impact on your emotions, most don’t realize that your emotions can have a negative impact on your elimination process.
When the body experiences emotional ups and downs such as stress, anxiety, fear, depression, excitement, this can lead to unexpected diarrhea or constipation. Adrenaline and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) can have a stimulating effect on the bowel causing a sudden urge to go. CRF is involved in our stress response, and researchers aim to develop drugs based on this that may treat stress-related disorders. What is unclear is whether or not CRF is the cause or the result of fear and anxiety. It may be that CRF is released by the body to help cope with stressful situations [1].
There are several promising studies that suggest our inner ecosystem has an effect on our emotions. Other studies suggest that our emotions affect the beneficial bacteria and yeasts in our gut. Researchers are not 100% sure if the chicken or the egg came first, and it’s possible both theories are true. What is certain is that bacteria and emotions have a complex relationship and affect digestion and elimination.
Mark Lyte, Ph.D., a scientist who studies the microbes in monkey poop and their effect on the behavior, has found that bacteria in the gut create hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. These hormones are created in the brain [2]. Seratonin is responsible for regulating mood, while dopamine is connected with experiencing pleasure. Prebiotic intake, which supports the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, has also been shown to reduce stress levels [3]. Fermented dairy, which is a potent probiotic source, is also credited with positively affecting brain activity [4].
Researchers found that lactic acid bacteria such as L. rhamnosus and Lactobacillus brevis produce GABA, a neurotransmitter that boosts mood and promotes relaxation. GABA is commonly used to reduce stress and anxiety, and promote sleep [2].
For some of the most common bowel issues spurred by emotional reactions, see our article Your Emotions Cause These Bowel Problems.
Dehydration and Defecation
Dehydration is a very common cause of constipation. Constipation is officially defined as having less than 3 bowel movements per week, but it can come with many unwelcome side effects. When you do not drink enough liquids to support your body and the elimination process, the large intestine takes up water from your stool. This can cause hard, dry, cracked lumps of poop which can be painful.
If you have trouble drinking enough water, you might want to try including more sources of liquids in your diet on a regular basis. Teas are a great option, as long as they are not caffeinated. So are fruit juices, smoothies, milk, lemonade, infused water, broth, and soups. Just be careful of alcoholic and caffeinated drinks as they can foster dehydration due to their diuretic effects.
Poop and the Role of the Thyroid
If you have unexpected bowel changes, you may want to suspect a thyroid problem. The thyroid is a gland is located in the neck and is tasked with producing hormones to regulate several body processes, including metabolism, digestion and mood. A proper supply of iodine is essential for proper thyroid function. Many people do not get an ample supply of iodine because of changes to our environment and food that either reduce the mineral or block our body’s ability to absorb it properly.
Bromate, which is commonly added to bread, and community water fluoridation both provide competition for our iodine receptors. Many people do not eat enough seafood and sea vegetables to absorb appropriate amounts of iodine. Additionally, our land used to contain more iodine, but over-farming and rampant chemical use has decreased this natural resource. Therefore, grazing cows do not uptake as much iodine as they used to. This leads to dairy products containing less iodine than in the past.
Thyroid issues can cause a change in your taste buds and low appetite. The hormone disruption that results when your thyroid isn’t functioning adequately can either kill gut motility and cause constipation (hypothyroidism) or cause more frequent bowel movements and even diarrhea (hyperthyroidism). If you have multiple symptoms of a thyroid deficiency, it is wise to consult a doctor and get the appropriate testing done. Some of the most common symptoms include feeling cold all the type, difficulty sleeping, gaining or losing weight, fatigue, losing clumps of hair, and dry skin.
Medical Issues That Affect Poop
There are many medical issues that affect poop, and this is by no means an all-inclusive list. The list includes defecation disorders.
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Parkinson’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Small Bowel Intestinal Obstruction (SIBO)
- Chron’s disease
- Diverticulitis
- Colitis
- Cancer
- Gastroenteritis (also known as stomach bug/stomach flu)
- Cholera
- Celiac
- Jaundice
- Dysentery
- Cholecystitis and related gallbladder/liver diseases
Blood Loss
Although this is listed last on the list, it is actually one of the most important things to be concerned about if your poop looks weird. For example, if you see blood, your poop is really dark (think black), or it resembles coffee grinds, it is a good idea to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Especially if it happens more than once. Each of these signs can signal that you are losing blood that is ending up in your stools. Darker poop is more alarming because it can signal internal bleeding. Bright red is more likely to come from your anus (the point of exit), and can be serious or due to straining from constipation or a ruptured hemorrhoid.
