Scent Signals – What Does Diabetic Poop Smell Like?

If you are diabetic or at risk of diabetes, you must listen to the signs your body sends you. This could be anything from monitoring your blood sugar with tests to keeping an eye on your feet.

One of these signs is the smell of your feces. While it can be a little taboo or embarrassing, the odor of your poop can provide valuable information about your overall health and blood sugar levels.

Let’s take a look at what diabetic poop might smells like, and how you can monitor your overall health through your stool.

 

This is What Diabetic Poop Smells Like

Diabetes leads to several changes and complications within your body’s systems. Many of these issues, from unmetabolized sugar to constipation, can cause your stool to smell different than you’d expect.

You may notice a particularly sweet, even fruity smell to your feces, or be struck by an overwhelmingly foul scent. However, diabetes isn’t the only thing that can lead to these smells. Other factors like diet, medications, and separate health conditions can lead to a similar result.

Because catching diabetes early is essential to proper treatment, if you notice a significant change in the smell of your poop, you should consult a doctor immediately. This is especially true if you’ve got sweet smelling poop or a fruity odor.

 

Why Does Diabetic Poop Smell the Way It Does

There are several potential root causes of a foul, fruity, or sweet poop smell. Understanding the ways that diabetes and elevated blood sugar affect the body as a whole can help you explain the odd scents.

• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) – This life-threatening complication of diabetes occurs when the body starts breaking down fat for energy instead of using glucose. It leads to the production of ketones which contribute to fruity stool
• Uncontrolled Diabetes – Poorly managed diabetes with consistently high blood sugar levels can cause a condition called malabsorption. This occurs when the body cannot properly absorb nutrients, leading to sweet-smelling poop
• Excess Carbohydrates – Consuming large amounts of refined sugars and carbohydrates can cause increased production of gas in the intestines, leading to extremely foul feces smells
• Gastroparesis – This condition affects the stomach muscles, causing a delayed emptying of its contents into the intestines. High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves responsible for stomach motility, resulting in foul-smelling stool
• Bacterial Overgrowth – High blood sugar levels can create an environment in the intestines that promotes the growth of certain bacteria. This overgrowth can lead to fermentation and gas production, contributing to poop that smells foul

 

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, these smells can indicate that something is off with your treatment and should be monitored and acted upon.

 

Diabetes Supplements That Could Help With Digestion

 

1. Pancreatin

 

2. Zenwise Health Digestive Enzymes

 

3. Nature’s Way Diabetic Multivitamin

 

What Determines How Your Poop Smells?

Your feces are a result of everything that happens along your digestive tract, so there’s a lot that goes into the way that it smells. It would likely be impossible to pinpoint the source of a particular scent from home, but knowing what might contribute can narrow down the culprit.

 

Diet

It should come as no surprise that the food you eat can affect the smell of your poop. We all know that asparagus turns your urine sulfuric, but it’s not the only smelly food out there.

• Cruciferous Vegetables – Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and kale all contribute a sulfur smell to your poop
• Garlic and Onions – Aromatics bring allicin and sulfides to your digestive system, creating a strong smell like rotten eggs
• Spices – Curries and other spicy foods can lead to a pungent, sometimes burning smell
• Red Meat – The high sulfur content in red meat can leave a strong smell in your poop
• Dairy – Lactose intolerance can lead to undigested lactose staying in your gut, resulting in a sour, off-smelling poop
• Alcohol – Drinking too much alcohol can irritate your digestive system, resulting in foul-smelling poop
• Fried Foods – Foods high in fat can lead to more solid and greasy poops with a strong smell

 

If you notice a particularly strong odor coming from your stool, your first move should be to recount the foods you’ve eaten to see if they might be the culprit.

 

Digestion

The way your body breaks down and absorbs nutrients from food can affect the odor of your stool. If food is not properly digested, it may ferment in your gut, leading to a more foul-smelling poop.

Poor digestion can occur due to conditions like malabsorption, pancreatic insufficiency, or enzyme deficiencies. You can combat this issue by adding digestive enzymes or probiotics to your diet.

 

Gut Microba

The bacteria living in your gut play a crucial role in digestion and can influence the smell of your poop. Certain types of bacteria produce gases such as hydrogen sulfide and methane, which can contribute to a strong odor.

An imbalance in your gut microbiota such as an overgrowth of certain bacteria, can also affect the smell of your poop. Eating a diet high in fiber and fermented foods can help promote a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.

 

The Smell of Healthy Poop

Healthy poop typically has a mild odor that may be slightly pungent but not excessively foul. The specific smell can vary depending on factors such as diet, hydration, and individual gut flora. Generally, a slightly earthy or musky smell is considered normal.

Everyone’s scent is going to be different, and you’ll know what’s normal for your gut. Changes in smell should be taken into consideration if they are persistent or accompanied by other symptoms.

 

Concerning Poop Odors

While it’s normal and healthy for your feces to smell, some scents should raise the alarm.

• Extremely Foul – A consistently strong and offensive odor might point to an infection or issue with absorption. Celiac disease, pancreatitis, or a gastrointestinal infection might be the cause
• Ammonia-like – This scent may come from perfectly acceptable sources like high protein intake, but can also be a sign of dehydration
• Rotten Egg – Poor digestion, irritable bowel syndrome, or infections can lead to a sulphuric scent
• Fishy – If your stool smells fishy and you haven’t been consuming a lot of seafood, you may have an issue with your liver or pancreas
• Sweet or Fruity – If you’re noticing stool that smells sweet, you likely have heightened blood sugar levels that point to uncontrolled diabetes

 

A healthcare professional can tell you if any concerning odors require more inspection and treatment.

 

Metallic Smelling Poop – Possible Causes

Another common question is about the cause of metallic odors in your poop. Because it isn’t a smell we commonly associate with our bodies, it can raise some red flags quite quickly.

Like any smell, there are a few different potential causes including eating some veggies or taking certain medications like iron supplements. However, it can also be a sign of more pressing issues such as gastrointestinal bleeding, infections, and liver or pancreatic disorders.

A change that lasts one or two bowel movements isn’t too concerning, but if the shift persists then be sure to reach out to a healthcare professional.

 

Final Thoughts

Understanding the smell of your poop can be a helpful tool in managing your diabetes or preventing it from developing. If you notice a strong, foul, or sweet odor in your stool, it could be a sign that your blood sugar levels are out of balance.

Remember to consult with your doctor if you notice any changes in the smell or consistency of your stool, as this could be a sign of a larger health issue. By keeping track of your bowel movements and monitoring your body’s signals, you can take steps to keep your diabetes under control and maintain your overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Diabetic Poop Smell Like?

Diabetic poop does not have a specific smell, but uncontrolled diabetes can lead to sweet or fruity-smelling urine due to the presence of ketones.

What does it mean if I have fruity smelling bowel movements? 

Fruity smelling bowel movements could indicate the presence of ketones, a sign of diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.

Why does my feces smell sweet?

Sweet-smelling feces might indicate diabetes or the presence of ketones, which occurs when the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose.

What to do if you have metallic smelling poop?

If you have metallic smelling poop, it could be due to blood in the stool, and it is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause.

What does it when you have metallic smelling feces?

Metallic smelling feces can indicate the presence of blood in the stool, which might be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding or other medical conditions; medical evaluation is recommended.