Nobody likes to talk about embarrassing stories in the bathroom, but we have all been there. You flush but the evidence refuses to disappear. Worse, you find yourself reaching for the toilet paper multiple times, feeling unclean. Sticky stool is beyond just an embarrassing story; it can be an early warning sign of serious health issues, including colon cancer. The situation gets sticky—quite literally—when stool changes persist or come with other red flags like abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss. By paying close attention to these changes and seeking medical advice when needed, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your health. Read on to find out what sticky stool may mean for your gut health and what the next steps are to treat it.
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ToggleWhat Is Sticky Stool?
Sticky stool is a type of bowel movement that tends to cling to the sides of the toilet bowl, making it difficult to flush. You may also have to wipe several times before it is clean. Sticky stool has a greasy or tar-like appearance and can leave an oily residue. Occasionally, it may emit a particularly foul odour.
Sticky stool often stems from dietary choices or mild digestive issues:
- Diet: Consuming foods high in fat or low in fibre can slow digestion, resulting in stickier stools.
- Dehydration: A lack of sufficient water can lead to harder, more adhesive stools.
- Infections: Gastrointestinal infections or stomach bugs can cause short-term sticky stool due to inflammation and disrupted digestion.
While these instances are typically benign and resolve with dietary adjustments or hydration, persistent sticky stool may point to more serious underlying conditions.
Causes of Sticky stool
The persistence of sticky stool may indicate the severity of the root causes behind them:
Improper digestion
Chronic conditions like celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and food intolerance can cause improper digestion and malabsorption of nutrients, causing excess fat in stools.
Digestion involves several organs: small intestines for digestion, pancreas and liver for supplying digestive enzymes and bile respectively for proper digestion. Liver, pancreatic, or gallbladder diseases such as gallstones or inflammation can also affect proper digestion. With a proper consult with a physician, it is easier to tell which organ is working properly.
Excess fat intake
A high-fat and low-fibre diet is the primary culprit for many cases of sticky stools. High-fat foods such as red meat, full-fat dairy products, and processed foods can overwhelm the digestive system, leading to incomplete digestion of fats. Similarly, a low-fibre diet lacks the bulk necessary to form solid, healthy stools, contributing to sticky or irregular bowel movements.
Medical conditions
Other than fats, blood can also cause stools to appear sticky and dark. This may indicate intestinal bleeding from conditions like ulcers, gastrointestinal blockages, or colorectal cancer, which is a concerning symptom that should be addressed immediately.
By recognising these causes and understanding the interplay between diet, digestion, and potential medical issues, you can create a targeted treatment plan for this issue.
When Should You Worry About Sticky Stool?
Temporary sticky stools from recent lifestyle changes like trying new foods when travelling or stress eating due to an upcoming deadline is normal. It becomes worrisome when sticky stool persists after returning to a healthier lifestyle. Consult a doctor if you experience these other symptoms:
- Changes in bowel habits e.g. constipation or diarrhoea
- Blood in stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
Is Sticky Stool a Warning Sign of Colon Cancer?
Sticky stool can sometimes be an early warning sign of colon cancer, particularly when it occurs alongside other changes in bowel habits. Colon cancer often begins with the growth of polyps or tumours in the colon or rectum, which can obstruct the digestive process and lead to incomplete digestion. Undigested fats and other nutrients end up being excreted, causing greasy or sticky stools. Stickiness from blood, identified by its dark red or tar-like colour, is a larger sign of colon cancer. Tumours or polyps may break through the intestinal lining to the blood vessels, causing blood to leak and mix with the stool.
Changes in stool, such as persistent stickiness or blood, may signal colon issues that require medical attention. Regular screening such as colonoscopies is vital for identifying whether sticky stool originated from colon cancer, chronic illnesses, or temporary lifestyle factors. It is normal to feel scared or embarrassed about getting a colonoscopy. However, remember that regular screening would significantly increase the chances of early cancer detection, allowing you to receive prompt treatment and improve your chances of a swift recovery.
Tips for Improving Stool Health
Medical advancements in recent years have made it easier to rely on treatments to address our health issues, but this convenience can lead to complacency. Remember that prevention is always the best cure—and prevention starts with us. Taking proactive steps to improve our stool health is far more effective than relying solely on medicine after problems arise. These are some of the changes that you can adopt to your life:
Regular screening
Most early signs of an underlying medical conditions are hidden by the naked eye. Colonoscopies are a critical diagnostic tool to visualise any abnormalities in the colon and rectum such as polyps, tumours, inflammation and ulcers. A long, flexible tube with a tiny camera will be inserted into the rectum and extend to the colon. Sedatives or painkillers may be given prior to the procedure to minimise discomfort, so don’t let the fear stop you from getting a screening.
Colonoscopies are typically recommended for those aged 50 and above, or those with a family history of colon cancer or polyps. (source: Health Hub)
Diet
Your digestive system houses what you eat. It is your responsibility to keep this house clean with smart food choices.
Get an adequate mixture of protein and fibre with fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. A high-fibre diet helps to absorb water and soften the stool for a propel bowel function. To resolve excessive fats causing sticky stool, limit your intake of high fat foods. One effective way is to prep your meals instead of buying to go, especially if you work in a busy environment with little to no healthy food options.
Water is equally important – it is recommended to drink around 9-12 cups of water per day. If you are the forgetful type, set a reminder every half an hour to get some fluids in.
For those with food intolerance or chronic diseases, their bodies are more sensitive to certain types of food. Keep a food log to track foods that trigger digestive issues and sticky stool and aim to avoid them for a better gut health.
Exercise and sleep
Physical activity regulates blood flow throughout the body, promoting gut mobility for smoother digestion. Similarly, exercise has been shown to promote the production of digestive enzymes, facilitating the breakdown of fats and nutrients so that less ends up in excretion.
Exercise also reduces stress levels, which is known to exacerbate conditions like IBS and inflammation. While we cannot control the conditions we have, we can minimise their symptoms by proactively taking care of our bodies. Moderate activities like walking, yoga, and simple stretches are great for beginners to ease into exercise while supporting a healthy digestive system.
Rest goes hand in hand with exercise. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep per day allows the body to recover and heal any inflammation in the digestive tract while maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Irregular sleep pattern is known to disrupt the gut-brain axis, a network of nerves where the brain and gut communicate to regulate digestion and excretion.
Medication
Depending on the diagnosis, certain medications can manage your symptoms. Inflammatory bowel diseases can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. Cases of malabsorption of nutrients can be mitigated with vitamins and mineral supplements. It is important to consult your doctor before consuming any medications, or if you experience severe side effects with the prescribed medication.
Conclusion
Stool changes are a window into your gut health. Observing stool changes is hardly the most exciting task in the world, but it gives you an early heads-up to change your diet or consult a doctor before your gut health worsens.
Sticky stool is usually a reminder to cut down on high-fat foods or increase your water intake. If it persists even after making these lifestyle changes or comes with symptoms like abdominal pain and bleeding, an underlying medical condition such as a digestive disorder or even colon cancer could be the culprit. Acting early is essential to protect your long-term health. Don’t hesitate to consult a doctor if symptoms persist.
Safeguard Your Health Today
At Centre for Screening and Surgery, we prioritise delivering quality and comfortable early cancer screening and treatment using minimally invasive procedures. If you are concerned about your gut health and are looking for a colon screening, call us to book an appointment today!