It is not possible to diagnose conditions affecting the pancreas based on a person’s symptoms alone. It can lead to pain in the upper abdomen that may also spread to the back. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. A person may also experience itchy skin, poor appetite, and weight loss, among other symptoms. Pancreatic cancer causes stool that is greasy and light in color. Additionally, a person may notice that they have very dark urine.įloating stool can also occur as a result of pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis. The stool may also be white or very pale. The result is a fatty stool that may float or be difficult to flush. Malabsorption can occur when the pancreatic enzymes or bile does not travel in sufficient quantities to the small intestine. People with lactose intolerance may experience bloating and diarrhea when they consume milk, cheese, or other dairy products.Īs a 2017 article explains, some conditions affecting the pancreas can lead to a fatty stool due to fat malabsorption. It is also the most common cause of malabsorption. This occurs when an individual’s digestive system produces too little of an enzyme known as lactase. One important cause of carbohydrate malabsorption is lactose intolerance, which is the inability to metabolize lactose properly. This gas can become trapped in the stool, causing it to float. Carbohydrates that the body does not absorb ferment in the colon, leading to acidic stool, bloating, and flatulence. It occurs when a person’s body is unable to absorb starch, lactose, and sucrose. Liver disease, blocked bile ducts, and gallstones may cause a fatty stool.Ĭarbohydrate malabsorption also causes stool to float. A person may also lose weight or develop diarrhea. When little or no bile reaches the intestines, it may result in a fatty stool. The liver produces bile, which helps the body digest food. People who have had a portion of their small intestine surgically removed, such as to treat Crohn’s disease, may also experience steatorrhea. Steatorrhea can also occur due to a variety of malabsorption conditions, including small intestine disorders and liver and biliary disease.ĭisorders that affect the small intestine can cause steatorrhea. Although floating stool may be a sign of steatorrhea, a 2017 article observes that stool sticking to the toilet bowl is a more specific sign. This is an increase of fat in stool, causing it to float. The stool may also be greasy and large and smell foul.Įxamples of malabsorption syndromes that can lead to floating stool are fat malabsorption and carbohydrate malabsorption.įat malabsorption is one of the most common syndromes and can lead to steatorrhea. According to research from 2021, floating stools are a symptom of a malabsorption syndrome.

Chunky liquid poop