Loose stools are bowel movements that may be watery, mushy, or shapeless. Treatment may involve making dietary and lifestyle changes, taking OTC medications, and addressing the underlying cause.
Loose stools are bowel movements that appear softer than normal. They can be watery, mushy, or shapeless. In some cases, they may also have a strong or foul odor.
Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for loose stools.
Symptoms of loose stools include stools that are:
- watery
- soft
- mushy
- shapeless
Sometimes, loose stools are accompanied by other gastrointestinal symptoms, including:
- heartburn
- urgent bowel movements
- more frequent bowel movements
- stomach cramps
- abdominal pain
- nausea
Diarrhea is sometimes used to describe loose stools.
However, you may experience loose stools from time to time without having diarrhea. For example, you may experience a one-off loose stool after eating something, but your stools return to normal after.
Diarrhea refers to having loose or watery stools at least
- Acute diarrhea is when you experience loose stools for
less than 14 days . - Chronic diarrhea is when you experience loose stools for more than 2 weeks.
A loose stool after eating is usually not a long-term problem. However, chronic loose stools may lead to several complications.
There are many potential causes of loose stools.
Food and drinks
Some foods and beverages are more likely to cause loose stools than others. These may include:
- dairy products
- fried, fatty, and greasy foods
- spicy foods
- processed foods
- sugars, such as fructose
- artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol
- alcohol
- caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and tea
Some food intolerances may also cause loose stools, such as lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance.
Food poisoning and infections
Several viruses, bacteria, and parasites may cause loose stools that typically last up to
- bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, and Shigella
- viruses, such as rotavirus and norovirus
- parasites, such as Cryptosporidium enteritis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia
Food poisoning may occur as a result of consuming foods and water contaminated with bacteria or parasites. As such, it’s important to follow proper food hygiene.
Medications and supplements
Many medications may cause loose stools as a side effect. However, some are more likely to be culprits, including:
- laxatives
- antacids with magnesium
- antibiotics
- chemotherapy
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- some medications for diabetes, such as metformin
- some medications for heartburn, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium)
Speak with a healthcare professional if you think the medications you’re taking are causing loose stools. They could help adjust your medication plan to stop the loose stools.
Health conditions
Some health conditions may increase your risk of developing chronic diarrhea. These may include:
It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you experience frequent loose stools without an obvious cause. They could provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms.
Experiencing the occasional loose stool isn’t generally a cause for concern. However, frequent loose stools may lead to several health complications. These may
In most cases, loose stools are a temporary problem and will resolve on their own.
However, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if your symptoms last more than
- chronic loose stools
- weight loss
- bloody diarrhea or stools
- stools that look black or tar-like
- bloody stools
- high fever
- severe dehydration
- fast heart rate
- vomiting
- dizziness
- severe stomach pain and cramps that don’t go away
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
Treatments for loose stools will depend on the underlying cause, duration, and severity of your symptoms. This may include a combination of lifestyle and dietary changes, and over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications.
Some treatments for loose stools may include:
- taking anti-diarrheal medications
- staying hydrated
- avoiding certain foods
- taking certain antibiotics
- taking probiotics
If your loose stools are caused by an underlying health condition, work with a healthcare professional. They could help develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
How can I make my stool more solid?
Some ways to solidify your loose stool may include taking OTC medications, such as loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
What foods will firm up your stool?
The BRAT diet may help
What does it mean when your stool is loose?
Loose stool refers to stools that are mushy, shapeless, soft, watery, and sometimes have a foul odor.
Why is my poop not solid anymore?
You may experience loose stools for several reasons. This may include food poisoning, eating certain types of food, taking some medications, or having an underlying health condition. Speak with a healthcare professional if your loose stools last longer than 2 days. They could provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for you.
Loose stools can happen after eating, or they can be chronic. They usually look soft, mushy, watery, or shapeless.
Several causes of loose stools include infections, eating certain foods, and underlying health conditions.
Talk to a doctor about any concerns you may have and discuss the potential causes and treatment options for loose stools.