Symptom 9: Foul-smelling Stools
For most, a foul-smelling stool after a meal might be a passing embarrassment. But for those with SBS, it’s a recurring and significant concern, highlighting the intestine’s compromised ability to digest and absorb food.
The root cause of unusually odorous stools in SBS is malabsorption. When the intestine doesn’t adequately digest or absorb food, it leaves behind undigested food particles. These particles are fermented by bacteria in the colon, producing gases with a distinct and often unpleasant smell.
Fatty foods can be particularly problematic. When fat isn’t absorbed in the small intestine, it moves to the colon, where bacteria break it down, leading to particularly pungent stools. Furthermore, an overgrowth of bacteria, often seen in SBS, can amplify the issue, causing even more pronounced odors. (9)
