What are the causes of unformed stools?

　　Mushy stools may be caused by dietary factors, abdominal chilling, gastrointestinal dysfunction, intestinal flora imbalance, chronic enteritis, and other conditions. Management can be tailored according to the specific situation. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation for diagnosis and follow medical advice for treatment to avoid delaying the condition.

　　1. Dietary factors: Regular consumption of raw, cold, greasy, or spicy foods, or eating too quickly or excessively, can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, impair digestion, and lead to mushy stools. Usually, there are no other serious discomforts. Adjustment of the diet is needed, avoiding irritant foods, chewing food thoroughly, eating regularly, and appropriately consuming more easily digestible and spleen-strengthening foods such as millet porridge and Chinese yam, which help improve stool consistency.

　　2. Abdominal chilling: Improper abdominal warmth preservation, especially during nighttime sleep, allows cold pathogens to invade, irritating the gastrointestinal tract and accelerating peristalsis, resulting in mushy stools. This is often accompanied by mild abdominal pain. Daily attention should be paid to abdominal warmth, adjusting clothing according to weather changes, and covering up properly at night. Appropriate abdominal heat application using a hot water bag or warm towel over the navel area may help relieve intestinal spasms and improve stool condition.

　　3. Gastrointestinal dysfunction: Significant mental stress and irregular lifestyle can lead to dysfunction of gastrointestinal motility and digestion, causing mushy stools. This is often accompanied by symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, and others. Patients may take medications such as Domperidone tablets, Compound Digestive Enzyme capsules, and Bifidobacterium Quadruple Live Tablets under medical guidance to promote digestion and regulate intestinal flora.

　　4. Intestinal flora imbalance: Long-term antibiotic use, unbalanced diet, and other factors can disrupt the balance of normal intestinal flora, decreasing beneficial bacteria and increasing harmful bacteria, which affects stool formation and results in mushy stools. Symptoms may include bad breath and increased flatulence. It is recommended to use medications such as Bacillus Licheniformis Live Capsules, Saccharomyces Boulardii Powder, and Clostridium Butyricum Double Live Powder under medical supervision to restore intestinal flora balance.

　　5. Chronic enteritis: Recurrent infection of the intestines by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, or long-term irritation of the intestine, can cause chronic inflammation with damaged intestinal mucosa, impairing absorption and resulting in mushy stools. These may be accompanied by mucus, pus, or blood in the stool. Patients may take medications such as Norfloxacin capsules, Compound Coptis Tablets, and Enteritis Relief Tablets under medical guidance.

　　In daily life, it is recommended to increase physical activity, engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily, such as brisk walking or jogging, to help promote intestinal motility.

　　References:

　　[1] Jin Dan, Sun Yukun. Clinical Observation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Enema Combined with Acupoint Massage in Treating Gastrointestinal Dysfunction after Acute Appendectomy[J]. Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2025, 41(02): 245-248.

　　[2] Deng Xuesheng. Discussion on the Improvement of Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Enteritis Treated with Levofloxacin Combined with Metronidazole[J]. Modern Diagnosis & Treatment, 2024, 35(15): 2284-2286.