Home Care:

Home care depends on the diagnosis. Follow your health care provider's instructions closely, and stick to any prescribed diets. If you have diarrhea, drink more fluids to avoid dehydration.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Black or pale stools
• Blood in the stool
• Changes in the stool related to diet
• Chills
• Cramping
• Fever
• Pain in the abdomen
• Weight loss

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history. Questions may include:

• When did you first notice that your stools were foul-smelling?
• Are the stools an abnormal color (especially pale or clay-colored stools)?
• Are your stools difficult to flush?
• What sort of diet have you eaten recently?
• Does a change in your diet make the smell worse or better?
• What other symptoms do you have?

The doctor may take a stool sample. Other tests may be needed.