Seeing undigested food in your stool can be troubling.
While it is often harmless, it can sometimes signal a more severe problem.
Learning the difference can help you know when to seek treatment.
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Undigested food in your stool can occur after havinghigh-fiber foodsor eating too fast.
However, it can also signify agastrointestinal (GI) diseasethat hinders normal digestion.
This article explains how undigested food in your stool occurs and its causes.
It also describes treatments and when to seek medical treatment for this problem.
Rattankun Thongbun / Getty Images
Is It Normal to Have Undigested Food in Your Stool?
Healthy stool can vary based on your diet and other individual factors.
Generally, a healthy stool is medium to dark brown.
Seeing undigested food fragments in stool is not uncommon.
It may also be a sign of inadequate chewing or eating too fast.
What Causes Undigested Food in Your Stool?
While most undigested food is easily passed, some foods remain intact as they travel through your digestive tract.
Other potential causes include:
High Fiber Foods
Fiber is an undigestible punch in of carbohydrate.
It also prevents you from chewing your food properly.
The disease usually affects the small intestine and the top of the large intestine.
Damaged villi can’t properly absorb nutrients into your body.
Symptoms of celiac disease can range from mild to severe.
The condition occurs due to damage to the pancreas frominflammation, surgery, or cancer.
The condition is called food poisoning when it results from consuming contaminated food or drinks.
It typically occurs as a complication ofbariatric (weight loss) surgeryor esophageal surgery.
Dumping syndrome is characterized as early or late, depending on how soon after eating you experience symptoms.
Having extra bacteria in this region can use up necessary nutrients before your body can process them.
These risks can vary depending on the condition causing the malabsorption and its severity.
However, it can be a sign of a more serious condition if it accompanies other issues.
It can also occur if you eat too fast and swallow large pieces of food.
In some cases, undigested food in your stool may be a sign of a more severe medical problem.
Changes in your stool may be a sign of GI conditions that need treatment.
Getting a prompt diagnosis and treatment of GI problems can lead to better outcomes.
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