Should My Poop Float or Sink? When to Worry About Stool Buoyancy
Checking out your stool after you go to the bathroom is a good way to catch a glimpse into what’s happening in your gut. While blood in stool or frequent diarrhea are often red flags for unhealthy bowel movements, poop that floats or sinks isn’t as clear cut. Pavan Chepyala, M.D., gastroenterologist with UnityPoint Health, explains which is healthier, sinkers or floaters, and when to be concerned.
Should Poop Float or Sink?
Healthy stool typically sinks, but it’s normal for it to float every now and then, too. Floating poop means a few things might be happening on the inside.
What Does it Mean When Your Poop Floats?
High-Fiber Diet
You’re eating high-fiber, gas producing foods. When you eat foods with high amounts of fiber, it can increase the gas in your stool, making it less dense and more likely to float. Sometimes, your poop might look a little fluffy, too.
Some common foods and drinks that cause floating stools due to the gas they create in your system include:
- Apples
- Beans
- Bran
- Broccoli
- Brussels
- Cabbage
- Carbonated beverages
- Cauliflower
- Oats
- Onions
- Whole wheat
“If your body struggles to break down lactose, a sugar found in dairy, then milk, yogurt or cheese might cause your poop to float as well,” Dr. Chepyala says.
Fat Malabsorption
Floating poop caused by fat malabsorption looks like greasy and oily stool. You might notice oil floating in the toilet with your stool, and it may even stick to the toilet bowl. In some cases, this can result in an orange-colored stool.
”The medical term for this condition is steatorrhea. It happens when your body can't properly absorb fat during digestion, leaving excess fat in your stool. This can be caused by eating an extremely fatty meal, but it may also signal an underlying digestive issue,” Dr. Chepyala says.
“Your liver releases bile and your pancreas secretes lipase. These two substances work together to help break down fats. If there's an issue with either organ, or if their flow is blocked by something, like gallstones, it can lead to excess fat in your stool.”
Gut Infection
Sometimes an unwelcome visitor in your digestive tract is the reason your stool floats. While many bacterial infections typically cause watery diarrhea, a parasitic infection, like Giardia, can have a different effect. It's known for disrupting fat absorption.
Underlying Gastrointestinal Condition
Underlying conditions such as Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis, celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can lead to floating stools.
“These conditions often impair your body's ability to properly absorb nutrients, particularly fats. In these cases, floating stools are typically accompanied by other, more significant symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever or a loss of appetite,” Dr. Chepyala says.
Floating Stool and Cancer
In very rare cases, floating stool can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer, as the disease can affect the body's ability to produce or release the enzymes needed to digest fats. However, floating stool alone would almost certainly be accompanied by more significant symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, jaundice and abdominal or back pain.
When to See a Doctor About Floating Stool
It can be alarming to see your poop floating. However, it’s most often a harmless result of your diet or a minor digestive change. No matter, paying attention to your stool is a good practice. If it consistently floats, appears greasy or oily or is accompanied by other severe symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.