Qin Rao, MD, is a board-certified physician based in New York City. He currently works as a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Manhattan Gastroenterology. Diarrhea and constipation are common ...

Senior physicians have warned that the common habit of deliberately holding stool for long periods poses serious health risks, stressing that repeated delays interfere with the body’s natural bowel ...

Poop gets its odor from bacteria, your diet, and skatole — a compound in your digestive tract. Antibiotics, sulfur-rich foods, and difficulty absorbing nutrients can make your poop smell worse. Get ...

Floating poop is most often caused by eating more fiber than usual. High-fiber foods include whole grains, vegetables like carrots, and certain greens. But if you also notice oil in your stool, ...