We’ve all been there. After doing what you had to do in the bathroom and flushing, there is still a brown streak on the bowl. Using a toilet brush might not be a favorite activity, but it has to be done. However, you can take steps to prevent this from happening. According to an expert, there are four reasons – and at some point, you should be concerned.

Being healthy is an important part of life. Today, there are thousands of ways to measure how healthy your body is and what you can do to improve all kinds of things, from shampoo to what you eat to what to wear when sleeping.

While tests can give you plenty of insight, you can actually see for yourself at home, too. For example, in the toilet. Your poop can, in fact, reveal a lot about your body – and we’re gonna take a look at what probably is something you shouldn’t read while eating lunch.

Sometimes, you might have noticed how your poop gets sticky and ends up smeared all over the back of the bowl. It can be an indication that something isn’t complete, right? Actually, there are several things it can mean, and some should concern you.

In an article at the Cleveland Clinic, Bryn DeSantis, a certified nurse practitioner specializing in digestive disorders, explains the causes of “sticky stiiks” and what you can do about them.

The definition reads, “Sticky stools have a gluey or tacky consistency that makes it harder to wipe away. Stools may also cling to the side of the toilet bowl, even after repeated flushing.”

“Occasional sticky stools usually aren’t something to worry about,” DeSantis said.

Reasons your poop is sticky

Bryn Desantis lists four causes why you have sticky poop. The shape, color, and smell can change day to day.

One cause is excess mucus. The gel-like substance lubricates the lining of the intestines and poop, which makes it easier to push out. However, constipation, hemorrhoids, or inflammatory bowel disease can cause it to make more mucus than usual.

“Sticky stool with visible mucus is very common in people with irritable bowel syndrome or IBS,” Bryn DeSantis wrote.

But having sticky poop can also mean more serious issues. If the stool is black and tarry, it may indicate internal bleeding. It could be an ulcer; if so, you should call your doctor.

DeSantis said: “Bleeding in the upper GI tract can lead to stools with a tar-like color and consistency, as well as a stronger odor.”

When to see your doctor about sticky poop

The expert continued by saying that pancreatic problems can cause fatty stools, a medical term called “Steatorrhea,” due to excess oil that makes it stick. Other conditions that increase the risk of developing pancreatic problems include diabetes.

“People with pancreatic insufficiency don’t make enough digestive enzymes to break down fats and other essential nutrients from foods,” DeSantis explains. “The stool is often yellow and may cling to the toilet bowl, leaving a yellow stain.”

Lastly, fatty foods can also be the villain if your toilet bowl is full of sticky stool. Eating too much fatty food, such as fried foods or red meat, can make defecation more difficult because the excess fat is excreted in the stool.

“Fatty stools tend to be pale, loose and buoyant — they often float,” DeSantis wrote for the Cleveland Clinic.

So, what can you do regularly to reduce the risk of having sticky stool? Some actions include eating more high-fiber foods, drinking plenty of water, and cutting back on high-fat foods and dairy products.

DeSantis added that there are symptoms you have to look for. If you have sticky stool for more than a week, you should contact your doctor.

“Black, tarry stool, severe abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss require urgent medical attention,” DeSantis concluded. “Your provider can recommend the right diagnostic test to pinpoint the cause, so that you can get the right treatment.”

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