It's no secret that the main indicator of human health are normal tests, which should have a certain appearance, smell and condition. First of all, we are talking about feces and urine. Of course, if, for example, the consistency of feces in a child is violated, this is already an occasion for mother to sound the alarm. The same reaction will follow if the baby has undigested food in the feces. Naturally, this ailment is characteristic not only for children, but also for adults, so it requires the most detailed consideration. So, let's try to understand why undigested food appears in feces, and how this problem can be eliminated.
What to remember
If we talk about an adult, the feces should have a uniform consistency and color, without any inclusions, including lumps, particles of blood, mucus, and even more so food.
When visiting the toilet, it will not be amiss to occasionally monitor the appearance of bowel movements. If undigested food (peel pieces, seeds, vegetables, nuts) is found in feces, then there is no reason for concern - this is the norm. If the particles of food in the feces have a larger structure and are clearly visible to the naked eye, then you should take measures and go straight to the specialist. Rest assured, he will be able to explain the reasons why undigested food appeared in the feces and will prescribe the right treatment for you.
Naturally, you should not rely on chance or try to help yourself on your own. Do not forget that you can only aggravate the situation. Know that undigested food in feces in some cases indicates the presence of serious disorders, and your task is to respond to them in a timely manner.
Causes of pathology in children
In a normal state in a child, particles of roughage can sometimes be present in the structure of feces: peel of vegetables, pieces of fruit, nuts. It is possible that the cause of this circumstance is the use of low-quality products.
We repeat, if the child does not experience discomfort and pain during bowel movements, and seeds are visible in his feces, pieces of fruit are not a problem. Another thing is when a baby, besides the fact that there is undigested food in the feces, blood and mucus are visible with the naked eye. You should also immediately go to the doctor if it is a matter of pain.
The thing is that the abundant consumption of food of plant origin leads to the appearance of small accumulations of indigestible fiber. The body lacks an enzyme that would effectively cope with its breakdown. Therefore, undigested food appears in the feces of the child. In this case, there is no need to consult a doctor, it is enough just to reduce fiber intake.
Dyspepsia
However, one should not forget about another reason explaining why undigested food is observed in the feces of a child. This is a child pathology such as functional dyspepsia.
With this disorder, the body not only breaks down food badly - the baby has a deterioration in appetite, bloating, and the stool itself is liquid, with an admixture of mucus. Why does the above pathology occur? Firstly, this happens when the mother does not adhere to the diet, overfeeds the child. Secondly, the baby's teeth can erupt. Thirdly, the diet may not correspond to the age characteristics of the child. Fourth, the cause of the disorder sometimes lies in taking medications that weaken the secretory functions of the digestive tract. Remember that the pancreatic and intestinal juices of the toddler in the first months of life are produced in a limited volume, which is sufficient only to split the food to a mushy consistency. The older the baby becomes, the stronger its digestive potential.
Dysbacteriosis
However, this is not all the causes of undigested food in the feces of the child. You should also remember about banal dysbiosis.
The baby has a completely sterile intestine, however, from the first hours of life, the process of colonization of microflora in the body begins. With a deficiency of beneficial bacteria, the intestines work, and the feces become liquid, lumps of food remain in them (they resemble rice grains), a specific smell appears.
How to normalize the digestive function in a child
In order for the treatment of intestinal disorders to be effective, it is very important to correctly identify the reasons why the baby is poorly digested. The doctor will prescribe the necessary tests, and in the laboratory they examine feces with undigested food, after which the pediatrician will be able to build a therapy regimen.
In some cases, father and mother are able to independently adjust the child’s diet . If during the period of breastfeeding the baby has loose stools interspersed with undigested food, then the mother needs to partially change the diet, excluding smoked, fried and salty foods. If such an adjustment did not produce a positive effect, then you should consult a doctor.
If pieces of undigested food appeared in the feces as a result of introducing new products into the diet, then you should refuse them for 3 weeks, and then try to use them again. In the stool of the child again appeared particles of undigested food? Do not hesitate, contact a specialist. In order to minimize the risk of the problem under consideration, in no case do not force-feed the baby - he will eat as much as necessary.
Keep in mind that “excess” food not only creates the threat of unnecessary kilograms, but also contributes to dysfunction and without this ineffective digestive system.
If an adult is sick
As already noted, in the human body there is no special enzyme that could completely break down fiber. Naturally, in 99% of cases, it leaves the intestine in its original form.
It should be noted that prostate dysfunction can also explain why undigested food is found in the stool in an adult. In the latter case, it is urgent to seek help from a specialist who will write out the necessary prescription for medications. Why can adults still have bits of undigested food in feces? Firstly, too low acidity of the gastric juice may contribute to this. Well, and secondly, the presence of certain ailments in the human body can also provoke the problem of poor-quality food breakdown. In particular, we are talking about diarrhea, bloating, general malaise, pain in the intestines and stomach. Again, if the above signs occur, you should not self-medicate: you should immediately consult a doctor.
Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis after carrying out all the necessary tests.
Of course, everyone faced a situation where the analyzes left much to be desired, for example, excrement had a different color, texture or smell. Naturally, this is a serious reason to start worrying about your own health. However, do not despair. You cannot know in advance whether you are sick or not - only a doctor will determine this.
Digestive system treatment in adults
To solve the problem under consideration as efficient as possible, you should adhere to some recommendations. In particular, it is necessary to refrain from drinking alcohol. Doctors, as a rule, resort to medical treatment in the form of substitution therapy ("Creon"). Artificial enzymes help fill the deficiency of the components responsible for the normal absorption and breakdown of nutrients.
Gastritis
If the function of digesting food is upset due to banal gastritis with low acidity, then one of the main treatment methods is to prescribe drugs that activate the production of hydrochloric acid (Pentagastrin).
In parallel with this, the patient takes all the same means of substitution therapy (Pepsidil). In addition, the doctor prescribes to the patient medications that neutralize the etiological factor (Omeprozole).
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can also trigger undigested food in the feces. The situation is exacerbated by such common digestive disorders as colitis and gastroenteritis. In the latter case, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal and rehydration drugs are used. Only a specialist can prescribe the necessary medications for you, so you should not consider the last point as a kind of guide to action.