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 water 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
• Mucus in the stool
• Pain in the abdomen
• Stools that float or are difficult to flush
• Weight loss

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

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

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 there floating stools or stools that are 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 will take a stool sample. Other studies may be needed.