Everybody poops, but we rarely talk about it. Probably because it sounds gross and sometimes offensive; however, we might be missing out on important health cues. The frequency of bowel movements can vary, so there is no set healthy pattern. Some people may have 1-2 bowel movements daily, while others go every other day. It is also the same with color, consistency, and quantity. While certain changes are insignificant and resolve within a few days, some may be signs of a health condition requiring treatment. Read on to learn what the appearance of your poop tells you about your health.
Why Do We Poop
Pooping is a natural process. It’s your body’s way of eliminating feces- undigested food, dead cells, bacteria, and other wastes. When food gets absorbed into our bloodstream, insoluble and undigested materials are left behind and must be removed from the body.
Pooping and your bowel movement habits can be a reflection of your overall health. Remember that these vary in different people, and there is no “normal” standard. Instead, you are your standard, from your poop consistency, amount, and color. So, it’s essential to take note of any changes in your bowel movement patterns. Some people may poop three to four times a day, but that frequency in some people may indicate an infection or allergy.
Types of Poop and What They Mean
“I always encourage ALL my patients to look at their poop. Your stool acts as a check engine light for your body. If you are not looking, you need to look. It could save your life.”
– Sameer Islam, MD
The consistency, color, frequency, and odor of your poop can provide helpful information about the state of your digestive health.
Consistency
The Bristol Stool Chart is a helpful tool for describing the shape and consistency of a stool. It describes seven types of poop and what possible digestive condition each may indicate. However, it is best to consult with a gastroenterologist to receive a definitive evaluation.
Type 1: Looks like separate hard lumps that are difficult to pass out. These usually indicate constipation or your poop has stayed a bit too long in your digestive tract.
Type 2: Looks like sausage or lumpy log. It’s also hard to get out and indicates you’re slightly constipated.
Type 3: Is shaped like a sausage with cracks on the surface. This type is normal.
Type 4: Looks like a smooth, soft sausage or snake. This is normal and means your digestive system is working correctly.
Type 5: It is like type 1 but easy to pass out. They are soft blobs with clear-cut edges. It is sometimes seen as normal but tending towards diarrhea.
Type 6: This is a mushy stool with ragged edges. It indicates mild diarrhea.
Type 7: Is watery with no solid pieces. This suggests diarrhea.
While helpful, the Bristol Stool Chart does not explain what the color of our poop may mean and if there is a problem that needs to be addressed.
Color
Bowel movements can appear in different colors and indicate various gastrointestinal conditions.
• Brown stools are considered “normal.”
• Black stools may suggest gastrointestinal bleeding or may be side effects of iron supplements.
• Green stools may also suggest bacterial or viral infection, too much bile, or inadequate amounts of bilirubin in poop. Green foods may cause green stools.
• White stools lack bile and often indicate a liver or gallbladder issue. Some antidiarrhea medications can also cause them.
• Yellow stools contain too much fat and may result from malabsorption issues.
• Red stools may be due to lower gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, hemorrhoids, or red-colored foods.
• Orange stools may suggest blocked bile ducts. Certain medications like antacids and orange-colored foods may cause orange-colored poop.
Frequency
There is no universal guideline that defines the average frequency of bowel movements. However, anywhere between three times a day and three times a week is considered normal.
When discussing changes with your doctor, they will want to know about any significant variance regarding frequency. If you usually go twice a day and now only go every other day, that’s a significant change that should be shared with your doctor.
Odor
All poop stinks. The smell comes from bacteria in the colon that break down food during digestion. Some foods we eat cause a powerful odor, while others are milder. An occasional change in the smell is usually not something to worry about.
However, a very foul-smelling stool can be an indicator of celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, and malabsorption. If you experience a strong-smelling stool, please discuss this change with your doctor.
4 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Bowel Movements
Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can go a long way toward producing a healthy bowel movement. Here are a few tips to help keep yourself (and your poop) healthy:
Fiber
Soluble fiber makes your stools easy to pass and relieves constipation. Aim to eat at least 22g-32g of fiber daily, depending on your age and sex.
Exercise
Being physically active aids regular bowel movement and prevents constipation. This can be as simple as walking, jogging, and swimming.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking between 2.7 liters and 3.7 liters of water daily, depending on your sex, clears your body of toxins and prevents constipation.
Colon cancer Screening
A change in bowel habits or blood in the stools can be an indicator of colon cancer. To reduce your risk, follow the suggested screening guidelines by getting your first colonoscopy at age 45 or earlier if experiencing specific digestive symptoms.
Bowel Movements and Colon Cancer
Colon cancer may not cause symptoms early on. However, specific bowel movement characteristics or symptoms can indicate colon cancer. These include:
- A change in bowel habits
- Blood in your stools
- Frequent diarrhea or constipation
- Persistent abdominal discomfort or pain
- Unexplained weight loss
Colon cancer is very treatable when detected in its early stages of development. Colon cancer is not age-specific and occurs in young and older adults. So, if you experience any of the characteristics or symptoms above, see a gastroenterologist and get evaluated.
When to See a Doctor
The most important things a GI doctor is looking for are the color and any new change in the shape or frequency of your bowels. These are ‘red flags’ that we are looking for. This is important as this could be a sign of something more serious going on. If you don’t let us know this, we cannot catch things that could get worse for you in the future. Our goal is to make sure you are healthy and STAY healthy – ignoring these ‘red flags’ could put your life in jeopardy.
Many people feel embarrassed talking about poop and avoid seeing a doctor when they notice a change in their bowel movements. Please pay attention to your stools and report concerns about them. It may be nothing serious, but the sooner you see a GI doctor, the better.
If you’re concerned about a change in your bowel movement or other digestive symptoms, or you’re looking for a board-certified gastroenterologist near you in the Lubbock area, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can request an appointment online or call our office at 806-696-4440.
*Image: credit GoodRx
