Weird...kind of TMI (it has to do with poop)

**CrystalChord** · 04-08-2011 10:23 PM

Recently, at least once or twice in the past two weeks or so, I've noticed that my stools have ....a weird, almost nutty smell when it's coming out. There's also a little mucous in them.

I don't usually eat dining hall food, but over the past two weeks I have (including ground beef and chicken, which I haven't had in a long time).

I'm concerned though. Odd-smelling and mucousy stools...don't they signify some kind of cancer or intestinal problem? Like intestinal inflammation??

What do I do now? I'm thinking of going to the health center, but I'm very nervous and embarassed about talking to the Nurse Practitioner's about it.

**ItsASecret** · 04-08-2011 10:55 PM

Smells are associated with the methane production of the normal flora bacteria. Sometimes it is noxious and sometimes it is mellow. There is also sulfur compounds released. There will be a different smell for every food eaten however not many people will notice a difference because it always smells bad.

I'm concerned though. Odd-smelling and mucousy stools...don't they signify some kind of cancer or intestinal problem? Like intestinal inflammation??

It can mean bad things but there is a lot of mucus up there naturally, if some happens to flow through then it has managed to nothing much more can be said. The time to worry is bloody stools and pale colored stool. A doctor must be consulted if that happens, and no it will not be a light pinkish tinge that could possibly be the skin of an apple to signify blood...it would be blood. Red blood, ooze, dribble, blood...it will be there. Bad news bears if that happens. And no do not go to the internet for an internet grade "you have cancer if you have a belly ache" type diagnosis. You know the internet is a horrible source for reliable medical information especially when it gets into poor quality med sites or any sort of blog. You are fine just like all the other times. Go back to your room and relax, watch some tv or read a book. You are fine.

**CrystalChord** · 04-09-2011 10:36 AM

I looked at it this morning and it was really, really pale (yesterday the color was at least normal), and still had that weird smell. I've been eating in the dining hall more, thanks to mooching meal swipes off my friends, but I'm wondering if changing my diet has caused it.

I ended up eating some good veg and fruit, an egg salad sandwich on white bread with cucumber, and then I ruined all that with chocolate and crisps. >_< Maybe because my diet has fluctuated from "eating very little" to "eating a whole lot more?"

**ItsASecret** · 04-09-2011 10:47 AM

I looked at it this morning and it was really, really pale (yesterday the color was at least normal), and still had that weird smell. I've been eating in the dining hall more, thanks to mooching meal swipes off my friends, but I'm wondering if changing my diet has caused it.

Pale means abnormal. If it is brown it is not what the concerning color is. It is not a thing to worry about. Changing in diet is absolutely the cause. If you go from eating fairly well to going no a bender of delicious yet horribly bad diet food your body is going to react. There is nothing to worry about just because you had some relatively bad food recently.

**CrystalChord** · 04-09-2011 11:03 AM

Yeah it still looks...sort of brown, but greyish brown, I guess. It's a weird color to describe, and since I'm not an art student anymore it's even more difficult (ha ha). I had both healthy and really bad for you food yesterday, but I've been eating kind of junky all week, and yesterday was around about the first time I've eaten anything considered "good", unless you count the lettuce in the tacos and the burrito I ate.

I also ate a lot of meat, which I haven't eaten in a long time (I usually just eat tofu when I can get it, eggs for protien when there's nothing else around)

**kira** · 04-09-2011 11:31 AM

Suddenly eating greasy or high fat foods (ground hamburger) when you normally don't will cause odd smelling light stools because of your gallbladder. It's failing to up bile production quickly enough to make up for the diet changes. There could also be some minor inflammation as your digestive tract tries to adjust. This should not be concerning at all unless there is pain or blood or if it lasts for a long time. If you start getting upper right side pain or your stools remain clay or greyish colored for an extended period of time after changing your diet then your gallbladder may not be functioning correctly. Usually this is not a major deal though. At best you just get told to avoid high fat foods (if there is no pain this is probably the course they will take) and at worse they remove the thing. It's not like the concerns of cancer or the difficulties when your actual intestines are not working right. I sure know those difficulties. :/

**WildChild** · 04-09-2011 11:50 AM

Eating crisps is hardly worse than eating white bread.

**Seeker_Advice** · 04-09-2011 01:18 PM

Are you familiar with Dr. OZ? The Cardiologist that has the TV show? He has done quite a bit on his show regarding stools and getting people to look at their stools on a regular basis.

I am not a big fan of TV shows in general, "news" or otherwise, but you might look into some of the things that have been discussed if you desire more information.

ItsASecret and WildChild are solid resources in this forum - IMO. I just thought it might give some other thoughts to think about/consider outside of this forum if that's what you desire.

**evilgothicjenn** · 04-15-2011 09:12 PM

First, let me say, tee-hee! Poop. And now, doesn't sound very concerning. Atleast your pee doesn't frequently smell like asparagus and heavily used porta-potty -.- lol. I would probably say it's the food, more than likely crappy processed foods, or lack of. As long as you're not feeling very unusual, I wouldn't really think twice of it unless there's like, more problems following...