Stool Odor
Stool odor is formed by the breakdown products of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as the activity of intestinal microflora. Changes in odor may indicate pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Normal (fecal): a typical, moderately expressed odor. Occurs with proper digestion and balanced microflora.
- Strongly unpleasant: may indicate putrefactive processes, increased protein breakdown (putrefactive dyspepsia), microflora imbalance, or bacterial infection.
- Sour: often observed with predominance of fermentative processes, for example in dysbiosis, fermentative dyspepsia, or excessive carbohydrate intake.
- Putrid: indicates slowed intestinal motility and stool stagnation, as well as active putrefaction of protein food components.
- Oily (rancid): may occur with impaired fat digestion (steatorrhea), diseases of the pancreas or biliary tract.
- Odorless: sometimes seen in severe diarrhea or after consuming easily digestible food. It can be normal but requires evaluation of other analysis parameters.
Changes in stool odor are an indirect but important diagnostic sign of digestive disorders, bacterial imbalance, and gastrointestinal diseases.