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It may sound gross, but paying attention to your bowel movements is actually pretty important. Your bowel habits are a strong indicator of your digestive health. Changes in the color, shape and texture of your stool can reveal signs of infection, digestive issues or more serious health problems, such as cancer.
But how can you determine if your stool is healthy? Michael Cheng, M.D., a Piedmont gastroenterologist, answers this probing question.
&#;Healthy stool is usually considered a soft, formed bowel movement that is typically brownish in color,&#; says Dr. Cheng. &#;Stool may be indicative of a health problem if someone notices a change in their bowel habits with constipation or diarrhea, or notices a change in color of their stools. There may also be a problem if a person has signs or symptoms of not feeling well, which could include abdominal discomfort, nausea, change in appetite or change in weight.&#;
Fecal matter is 75 percent water and 25 percent solid matter, consisting of dead bacteria, indigestible food and inorganic substances. It usually takes about three days for food to pass through your system, resulting in a bowel movement. But when food passes through your system too quickly or too slowly, it can affect the size, color and texture of your stool.
The Bristol Stool Scale classifies stool types into seven categories based on size and texture.
Types 1 and 2 are hard and lumpy, and painful to pass. These stools have been sitting in the large intestine and colon for a long time and are indicative of someone who may be constipated.
&#;Constipation can be caused by many factors including medications, dietary changes, stress, or medical illness,&#; says Dr. Cheng.
Types 3 and 4 are considered the optimal form of healthy stool. Healthy stool is typically sausage-shaped and snake-like. It is easy to pass, and it remains intact when it is flushed.
Stool types 5 through 7 are watery and mushy. These stools are in the large intestine and colon for the least amount of time and may present in the form of diarrhea.
&#;Diarrhea can also be caused by many factors including medications, dietary changes or intolerance, stress, medical illness and infections,&#; says Dr. Cheng.
The color of your stool can also be a reflection of your overall health.
&#;Healthy stool is usually brownish in color,&#; says Dr. Cheng. &#;There is cause for concern when stool is black or reddish, which may be indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding. Stools that are gray in color may also be concerning for liver problems.&#;
And yellow, greasy, foul-smelling stool indicates that the intestines didn&#;t properly digest and absorb fat. This could be caused by a disease of the intestinal lining such as celiac disease or chronic pancreatitis.
It&#;s important to maintain good bowel health, as 70 percent of the body&#;s immune system is contained within the digestive tract. To keep your bowel movements frequent and healthy, Dr. Cheng suggests the following tips:
Eat a balanced, high-fiber diet. Fiber can help prevent or relieve constipation. Try fiber-rich foods like apples, carrots, beans, and whole wheat cereals.
Exercise regularly. Exercise can decrease the time it takes for food to move through the large intestine, helping with constipation.
Get a colonoscopy. Colonoscopies allow doctors to look for polyps inside the colon and rectum, which could be an early sign of cancer. Ask your primary care provider about scheduling a screening if you:
Are 45 years old or older
Have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
Have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
Stay hydrated. Water helps to clear toxins from the body. Try to drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day.
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A person&#;s poop can vary depending on diet, hydration, and health status. A stool that is hard, runny, or has an unusual color may indicate a health problem that needs attention. Poop is typically medium to dark brown in color.
Sometimes, poop can vary in color, texture, amount, and odor. These differences can be concerning, but usually, these changes are not significant and will resolve in a day or two. Other times, however, changes in poop indicate a more serious condition.
Keep reading to discover more about the different types of poop, including what is and is not typical.
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Devised by doctors in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, England, and based on the bowel movements of nearly 2,000 people, the Bristol stool chart characterizes the different types of poop.
Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 are healthy stool, while types 5&#;7 suggest diarrhea and urgency.
Poop is generally:
It should take 10&#;15 minutes to pass the stool.
People who take longer than this may have constipation, hemorrhoids, or another condition.
A person should contact a doctor if changes to poop persist for 2 weeks or more.
People should seek immediate medical treatment if the stool is bright red, black, or a tarry substance. These symptoms suggest blood loss, which could become a medical emergency if left untreated.
To help ensure healthy bowel function and healthy poops, people can follow the tips below:
A well-functioning digestive system is essential for health and well-being. It also suggests that a person is eating a balanced diet.
Poop abnormalities that persist can lead to complications. For example, ongoing diarrhea can result in nutritional deficiencies or, in severe cases, malnutrition, while constipation can cause bowel obstructions.
Below are frequently asked questions relating to the different types of poop.
The seven types of stool are:
Hard or lumpy stool indicates that a person has constipation, while mushy or liquid-like stool may indicate inflammation in the bowel and diarrhea.
Smooth, sausage-shaped stool is typically the healthiest type of stool. These usually indicate proper bowel function. However, a person should contact a doctor if they notice changes in their stool or bowel habits.
Stool type 5 on the Bristol Stool Chart refers to stool that consists of soft blobs with clear-cut edges. This might indicate that a person is lacking fiber.
Stool type 6 refers to stool that has a mushy consistency with ragged edges. This might indicate that inflammation is present.
Stool is typically brown in color. Other colors &#; such as red, black, yellow, green, orange, white, or pale &#; can indicate an underlying condition. A person should contact a doctor if they experience changes in the color of their bowel movements.
A person&#;s poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor them and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks.
To encourage bowel function, a person should eat a fiber-rich diet, exercise regularly, reduce stress, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
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