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Eating too much fat can result in sticky stool with a consistency like peanut butter. However, it may also be a side effect of a medical condition. Depending on the cause, treatment may involve dietary changes and medications.
Your stool can be consistent depending on your diet and underlying health. You may occasionally notice that some of your stool sticks to the side of the bowl after you flush.
Sticky poop can be a symptom of a temporary or chronic digestive disorder or the result of a diet that contains too much fat. Sticky poop can appear greasy and pale or dark and tarry.
If you also have other symptoms, such as gas or abdominal cramps, there may be a medical cause.
Your stool quality often results from how your body responds to food. A high fat diet can lead to stickier stool than normal. This is called steatorrhea.
That’s because excess fat — beyond what would normally be absorbed by the body — can end up in your stool, making it thicker and stickier. This is one reason, among many others, why eating a balanced diet is good for your health.
However, steatorrhea can also be caused by medical conditions. These include:
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- celiac disease
- cystic fibrosis
- problems with your pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic insufficiency
- certain infections such as giardiasis
Another reason conditions like celiac disease or IBD might cause sticky stool is malabsorption because they interfere with the body’s ability to properly process nutrients and fluids. Similar causes include stomach ulcers, esophagitis, and lactose intolerance.
If your stool is sticky and darker in color, it could also be related to melena. The sticky stool is dark because the bleeding occurs earlier in the digestive process, and by the time the stool comes out, it loses the oxygen that gives it its red color.
Sticky stool can often be easily treated at home. The treatment for more serious causes will depend on the underlying cause, but here are some simple lifestyle changes and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements to try.
Home remedies
One of the best things you can do for sticky stools is to increase your water intake. A healthy digestive system and stool depend on staying hydrated.
Drinking 9-13 cups of water per day is recommended for most people. However, water intake varies by individual. Let thirst guide your intake.
If you have kidney, heart, or liver problems or other reasons to drink less water, talk with your doctor about a safe, adequate amount of fluids for you.
Daily exercise is also associated with a healthier digestive system. Even a half-hour walk can improve your overall health.
Traditional medications
If your stool is sticky and you’re also having problems with diarrhea, you may want to try bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate). This is generally a well-tolerated treatment for diarrhea.
However, if you notice blood or mucus in your stool, don’t take an antidiarrheal medication without first talking to your doctor. Also, avoid laxatives if you have sticky stool.
Buy Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate online.
One of the most effective ways to treat many digestive issues, including sticky stool, is to make
In general, eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is a prescription for better digestive health. These foods contain soluble fiber, which is important for proper bowel function. They also contain a range of nutrients for optimal overall health.
Learn more: The 14 most nutrient-dense vegetables and 10 foods this nutritionist eats that support a healthy gut.
Because most causes of sticky stool are related to the foods you consume, the best treatment is to avoid the foods that give you problems.
People with celiac disease, for instance, often have no other digestive issues. If these people avoid foods containing gluten, they should have no symptoms, including sticky stool.
This includes foods that contain gluten and foods that trigger symptoms of lactose intolerance. You can also consider reducing high fat foods
Learn more: Signs of an unhealthy gut and what to do about it and what is a balanced diet?
Sticky stool may occur in one bowel movement, and the next day, your stool can be back to normal.
If a day of eating a particularly high fat diet has led to sticky stools, wait a day to see if anything changes.
If there’s no change, pay attention to your stool and other symptoms that may signal a more serious cause. If there are no urgent symptoms, such as abdominal cramps or blood in your stool, try modifying your diet.
If a low fat, low protein diet rich in soluble fiber doesn’t improve the quality of your stool, see your doctor.
Sticky stool is usually a sign that your diet needs some adjustment — maybe a little less fat or some more water. But sticky stool can also indicate a more serious health concern, such as Crohn’s disease.
It may not be the most pleasant job you do all day, but paying attention to your stool quality and seeking medical attention if it doesn’t improve is important for being proactive about your health.
Other signs of digestive problems include wiping repeatedly and still finding stool and changes in bowel movement habits. You can also look at the shape and color of your stool to identify whether you should consult with a doctor.
The encouraging news is that conditions such as Crohn’s, celiac disease, or lactose intolerance can usually be well managed by following a diet that eliminates the triggers for toilet trouble and medication as needed.
