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Stools - foul smelling

Alternative Names:

Foul-smelling stools

Home Care:

Home care depends on the specific diagnosis. Follow your health care provider's instructions closely, and adhere strictly to prescribed diets. If you have diarrhea, make sure to increase your water intake to avoid dehydration.

Call your health care provider if:

If you have associated symptoms -- abdominal pain, fever, chills, cramping, weight loss, stools that float or are difficult to flush, blood in the stool, black or pale stools, mucus in the stool, or diet-related changes in your stool -- call your health care provider.

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

Foul-smelling stools are a single symptom of a disease complex. Other symptoms and signs are generally present. Your health care provider will take a family and disease history, then complete a physical examination .

Medical history questions may include:

A stool sample will be obtained for laboratory analysis. Other studies may be indicated.

After seeing your health care provider:

You may want to add a diagnosis related to the cause of foul-smelling stools to your personal medical record.

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