Why is my poop watery?

Your poop is watery because your colon isn't absorbing enough water and electrolytes, or it's secreting more than it's absorbing, which leads to watery diarrhea. This can happen for a couple of key reasons.

What Causes Watery Poop?

There are primarily two processes that can result in watery stool:

1. Reduced Absorption:

   • When your colon doesn't absorb enough water and electrolytes from the digested material, the excess water stays in your stool, making it watery.
   • This could be due to inflammation or an infection.

2. Increased Secretion:

   • Your colon may be actively secreting more water and electrolytes than it's absorbing.
   • This excess fluid contributes to the watery consistency of your poop.

Osmotic Diarrhea: A Common Cause

One specific type of watery diarrhea is osmotic diarrhea. According to the provided reference, this happens when poorly absorbed nutrients in your colon draw extra water into the colon. This is actually how some laxatives work, by increasing the fluid content in your stool.

Examples of Poorly Absorbed Substances:

• Certain sugars (like lactose in people with lactose intolerance).
• Some artificial sweeteners.
• Specific salts or minerals.

Summary

To sum it up, the main reason your poop is watery is due to issues with how your colon is handling water and electrolytes. This could stem from either a reduced ability to absorb fluids or an increased secretion of fluids, both of which result in excess water in your stool, leading to watery diarrhea.