What Does it Mean If My Poop Smells Like Ammonia?
Ammonia is a common odor that can occur when a person does not drink enough water. The lack of water makes the chemicals in the urine more concentrated, which in turn gives off the characteristic odor. Bubbles in the urine are another telltale sign of dehydration. In this article, we’ll examine some possible causes for a urine that smells like ammonia.
Table of Contents
Food intolerance
Ammonia-smelling poop is not always a sign of kidney disease. The odor can also signal dehydration, diabetes, and even certain vitamins. The best way to determine if you have a kidney-related condition is to visit a doctor and get tested for ammonia. Aside from kidney-related conditions, ammonia-smelling poop can be a symptom of other health problems, such as diabetes and skin problems.
Medications
Some people may be curious about the cause of poop that smells like ammonia. It is a common symptom of a bacterial infection or a liver problem, which can cause the smell to become more intense. Some medications, such as certain antibiotics, can also be the culprit. These medicines are commonly prescribed to control the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), but they may alter the pH balance and odor of the poop.
Malabsorption
A foul-smelling poop is not an uncommon symptom of malabsorption, a condition that prevents the body from properly absorbing nutrients from food. In this condition, your body has trouble absorbing the nutrients it needs, and those nutrients end up rotting in your stool. There are several different symptoms to look out for, including light-colored, floaty stools, abdominal bloating, and flatulence.
Medications can cause poop to smell like Ammonia
A condition known as trimethylaminuria is one of the most common causes of poop that smells like Ammonia. This chemical is produced in the body when the liver is not working properly. This can cause urine to smell like rotten fish, garbage, or even eggs. The chemical buildup in the body can make your breath and poop smell terrible. In some rare cases, ammonia can be a sign of diabetes.
Symptoms of tyrosinemia
If your child’s poop is smelling like ammonia, the cause may be tyrosinemia, a metabolic disorder that affects the tyrosine synthesis pathway in the body. Children with tyrosinemia do not produce enzymes needed to metabolize tyrosine, and by-products of tyrosine can cause a wide range of symptoms. Tyrosinemia can also lead to kidney failure and liver damage.