What are the causes of long-term unformed stools?
May 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Jingxiang
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, long-term unformed stools may be caused by factors such as diet, psychological factors, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic enteritis, or ulcerative colitis. It is advisable to keep the abdomen warm and avoid getting chilled, especially during seasonal changes, by dressing appropriately. At the same time, engaging in moderate physical exercise can help improve physical fitness and promote intestinal motility.
Generally, long-term unformed stools may be caused by dietary factors, psychological factors, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic enteritis, ulcerative colitis, and other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and undergo treatment under the guidance of a physician. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Dietary Factors
Long-term excessive consumption of raw, cold, greasy, or spicy foods, or food allergies may lead to unformed stools. It is advisable to adjust your diet, reduce the intake of raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods, and maintain a light and balanced diet.
2. Psychological Factors
Remaining in a prolonged state of tension, anxiety, or high stress can affect the gastrointestinal tract through the nervous system, leading to gastrointestinal dysfunction, altered intestinal motility rhythms, and consequently unformed stools. It is recommended to adjust your mindset, relieve stress through appropriate exercise, listening to music, communicating with friends, and maintain a positive mental state.
3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome may be related to various factors such as abnormal gastrointestinal motility and intestinal flora imbalance. These factors interact, causing intestinal dysfunction, accelerated or spasmodic intestinal motility, affecting normal digestion and absorption of food, thus causing long-term unformed stools. Symptoms such as bloating or constipation may also occur. Treatment may include medications like pinaverium bromide tablets, Bifidobacterium quadruple active tablets, etc., under the guidance of a physician.
4. Chronic Enteritis
Chronic enteritis is often caused by infections such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other factors. Inflammation irritates the intestinal mucosa, affecting the digestive and absorptive functions of the intestine, manifesting as long-term unformed stools. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may also occur. Symptomatic relief may be achieved using medications such as norfloxacin capsules, smectite powder, compound glutamine enteric-coated capsules, etc., as directed by a physician.
5. Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis may be related to factors such as heredity, immunity, and environment. The immune system mistakenly attacks the intestinal mucosa, leading to ulcers and erosion of the intestinal mucosa, affecting normal intestinal function, resulting in unformed stools, often with mucus, pus, and blood. Symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue may also occur. Treatment may include medications such as mesalazine enteric-coated tablets, sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets, prednisone tablets, etc., under the guidance of a physician.
In daily life, pay attention to keeping the abdomen warm to avoid catching a chill, especially during seasonal transitions, and appropriately add clothing when necessary. At the same time, engage in moderate physical exercise to enhance physical fitness, promote intestinal motility, and perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
