Stool Consistency

Stool consistency is an important parameter in coprological examination, reflecting the physical state of stool and overall digestive system health. It depends on water content, dietary fiber, fats, presence of mucus, and other components.

• Formed (firm, soft): normal. Stool is sausage-shaped, without excess mucus or water. Indicates balanced diet and normal intestinal motility.
• Hard: may occur with constipation, insufficient fluid intake, low dietary fiber, or slowed intestinal transit.
• Pasty: characteristic of inflammatory processes, excessive mucus secretion, and digestion or absorption disorders.
• Semi-liquid: may indicate accelerated intestinal motility or partial malabsorption. Sometimes seen with dysbiosis or mild intestinal infections.
• Liquid: indicates pronounced diarrhea, possible inflammation, infection, or intoxication.
• Mushy: may occur with pancreatic diseases, bile secretion disorders, or intestinal enzyme deficiencies.
• Foamy: usually accompanies fermentative processes, indicates carbohydrate predominance in diet and presence of fermentative dyspepsia.

Consistency analysis aids differential diagnosis of intestinal disorders and assessment of the digestive function.