Lactose intolerance is a common condition that can cause mild to severe symptoms. A common symptom of lactose intolerance is foul-smelling bowel movements accompanied by gas, loose stools and abdominal cramping, according to MayoClinic.com. Lactose intolerance is commonly confused with other conditions and needs to be assessed and diagnosed by your doctor. Foul-smelling bowel movements that occur when you have not consumed foods containing lactose may be a sign of a different food intolerance.
Background
Lactose intolerance is an incurable condition that is caused by an inability to properly digest lactose. Lactose is a complex sugar found in cow's milk that needs to be broken down into glucose and galactose in the digestive system for absorption, according to Kids Health. Lactose requires the enzyme lactase for proper digestion. If you're lactose intolerant, the lining of your small intestines doesn't create enough lactase to digest the sugar. This causes inflammation, swelling and irritation in the digestive tract.
Symptoms
Because the lactose is unable to be processed, your body will attempt to get rid of it as soon as it can. This causes cramping in the stomach, bloating, gas and diarrhea within 20 minutes or up to two hours after you ingest the dairy, according to the National Digestive Disease Clearinghouse. Foul-smelling stools that float are a common symptom of lactose intolerance. The odor is a combination of gas and undigested proteins and sugars from the loose stools. Once the lactose is eliminated from the body, symptoms will subside.
Treatment
Once symptoms develop, common over-the-counter anti-gas, anti-acid and anti-diarrhea medications will not work. The most effective treatment is to prevent the need for the body to digest lactose. This is accomplished by using supplements, avoiding dairy products or using lactose-free substitutions, according to Kids Health. Take a lactase enzyme supplement right before you consume dairy to prevent foul-smelling stools. Use milk alternatives, such as soy, rice or almond-base substitutions. Some dairy products are available lactose-free.
Consideration
Foul-smelling stools may be a sign of another medical condition. If you only experience foul-smelling stools after consuming dairy products, you are most likely lactose intolerant, but you may have a milk allergy. If you have a milk allergy, you will develop other symptoms aside from foul-smelling stools, such as hives, skin irritation, diarrhea, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and nasal congestion. If you notice blood in your stool, you need to call your doctor immediately as this may be a sign of a serious condition.
