1. LOOSE AND RUNNY: Your poop is loose and runny but not exactly diarrhea. While short-term changes that fit this description can be the result of a temporary dietary change, a long-term concern about this symptom can be a sign of celiac disease. This is a somewhat rare but recently more understood and widely known condition that affects your body's ability to tolerate gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. People with celiac disease are unable to eat gluten because it damages or destroys the villi of the small intestine. This damage affects the body's ability to absorb essential nutrients from any foods you eat. Frequent, loose stool is one major symptom of this condition. Celiac disease is often accompanied by other symptoms, including bloating, rashes, fatigue and pain. Proper dietary modifications can help firm up stools and allow nutrient absorption. Such lifestyle changes also can alleviate other symptoms.
2. BLACK OR BRIGHT RED STOOLS: -- Your poop is black or bright red in color. Oddly colored excrement in the toilet bowl can be alarming, and if your poop is black or bright red, it could be rightly so. Black or bright red stool can indicate bleeding in the GI tract, which can signal serious health conditions such as a stomach ulcer or colon cancer. This symptom can be the result of more benign conditions as well (such as hemorrhoids) or could be the result of certain medications such as Pepto Bismol. (Pepto is known to turn stool black due to the way its key ingredient reacts to the sulfur in your GI tract.) If you notice blood in your stool at any time or have stools that are black in color, consult your physician for guidance. Bleeding in the GI tract is a serious concern and may warrant additional testing to rule out any life-threatening health conditions.
3. DIARRHEA OR FOUL-SMELLING: You have diarrhea and your poop smells like eggs or sulfur: As unpleasant as this symptom may be, it’s likely that it’s a sign of a wholly treatable condition called giardia. Giardia is a parasite that can be picked up by drinking untreated water or swimming in fresh water such as rivers or lakes. Many people contract giardia and have no idea because the main symptom is the smelly, runny poop they experience. Some people have the parasite in them for weeks or more because they don’t seek medical attention for this symptom. Giardia is treated with antibiotics.