Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Morning oily stools
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Morning oily stools
by Masi, Mar 24, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 45 year old active female. About eight months ago I started experiencing occasional oily looking loose stools. It only happens in the morning and I usually have to go a bout three times. They are normal color and other than that I feel good. My stomach doesn't bother me after I go and there is
an urgent need to have a bowel movement when I need to go. My stomach makes a lot of noises after I eat but there is no pain. I'm just concerned that it might be something serious. I have always had a nervous stomach and had a sigmoidoscopy done 10 years ago which was clear.
an urgent need to have a bowel movement when I need to go. My stomach makes a lot of noises after I eat but there is no pain. I'm just concerned that it might be something serious. I have always had a nervous stomach and had a sigmoidoscopy done 10 years ago which was clear.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 25, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 25, 2004 12:00AM
Oily stools may be indicative of several diseases. Specifically, malabsorption (i.e. fat malabsorption. biliary disease or celiac disease) and chronic pancreatitis can cause oily stools.
I would suggest discussing further tests to evaluate this. This can include fecal fat tests, an abomdinal ultrasound evaluating the gallbladder, and blood tests for celiac disease. Pancreatic enzymes - i.e. amylase and lipase - as well as imaging (such as plain films or an abdominal CT scan), can also be considered.
You may also want to consider a colonoscopy as part of the evaluation for the chronic loose stools.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
I would suggest discussing further tests to evaluate this. This can include fecal fat tests, an abomdinal ultrasound evaluating the gallbladder, and blood tests for celiac disease. Pancreatic enzymes - i.e. amylase and lipase - as well as imaging (such as plain films or an abdominal CT scan), can also be considered.
You may also want to consider a colonoscopy as part of the evaluation for the chronic loose stools.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
