Stools - floating

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Lower digestive anatomy

Floating stools

Floating stools alone do not indicate an illness or problem, and they do not require home care. If a change in diet has caused problems, try to find and eliminate the offending food.

It is important to discuss a change in stool characteristics with a doctor if it has been present for more than a couple of weeks. If blood, fever, or dizziness accompanies these changes, consult a physician immediately.

A health care provider will normally take a family history and disease history, and perform a physical examination.

A stool sample and blood tests may be requested. In most cases, however, this will not be required.

Medical history questions documenting floating stools in detail may include:

• Family history (general information about the health of family members)
• When were floating stools first noticed?
• Does it happen all the time or intermittently?
• What is the basic diet?
• Does a change in the diet change the stools?
• Are other symptoms present?
• Are foul-smelling stools present?
• Are the stools an abnormal color (especially pale or clay-colored stools)?

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the specific diagnosis. Strictly follow your provider's instructions, including prescribed diets.

Review Date: 05/08/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.