Dr. Amey Sonavane, MBBS, DNB (General Medicine), DNB (Gastroenterology), MRCP (SCE-Gastroenterology), Fellow in Clinical and Transplant Hepatology, is an consultant in the department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver transplantation at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai.
Loose stools are bowel movements that appear softer than normal. They can be watery, mushy, or shapeless. In some cases, they may have a strong or foul odor. There are many possible causes for loose stools. They frequently happen after eating, but they can also occur throughout the day.
It’s important to understand the difference between loose stools and diarrhea. If you have diarrhea, you’ll also have loose or watery stools. However, if you have loose stools from time to time, it doesn’t mean you have diarrhea.
In order for loose stools to be considered diarrhea, they have to occur repeatedly. If you have loose stools three or more times per day, then it’s diarrhea.
The most common symptoms of loose stools include:
You may also have other gastrointestinal symptoms including:
You may have either chronic loose stools or loose stools after eating. It’s important to know the difference between these conditions.
A loose stool after eating is usually not a long-term problem and may be a one-off event. However, chronic loose stools can be an issue for weeks. You can tell if you have chronic loose stools by keeping track of how long the symptoms last.
Loose stools after eating can be an indication of food poisoning, lactose intolerance, or infections. You may also have loose stool after eating if you’re taking too much magnesium or have been drinking too much coffee. Certain foods, such as spicy or oily foods, can also create loose stools.
Chronic loose stools are usually caused by other medical conditions. You may have:
There are many potential causes of loose stools.
Some drinks and food can cause loose stools. Coffee is a common cause because it stimulates the intestinal muscles. Oily and spicy foods are also a problem for some people because they can irritate the stomach. These can also cause loose stools:
Viruses, bacteria, or parasites can cause food poisoning. Loose stools can be the result of inflammation from these infections. You may also have other symptoms such as:
Certain medications and supplements can cause loose stools. For example, taking too much magnesium can be a problem. Taking too many laxatives can also affect your bowel movements. In addition, drugs such as antibiotics or chemotherapy can cause loose stools, too.
