Darrick Robles We all need to go to the toilet. But since hardly anyone talks about it, very few know what is actually normal. However, the size, smell, color, and texture of your stool can tell you a lot about how healthy you really are.
A growing body of evidence suggests that gut health can impact many aspects of your physical and mental health, including how your immune system works .
It’s important to talk about bowel movements because problems with digestion could indicate a disease in the digestive tract. “And if it’s something serious, it’s important that we catch it as early as possible,” says Med-Healths doctor Dr. Rhianna McClymont.
In this guide you will learn how to recognize healthy bowel movements, what signs you should look out for and when you should consult a doctor.
1. Brown, sausage-shaped, and easy-to-pass stool
When it comes to your bowel movements, it’s important to know what’s normal for you. “Brown, sausage-shaped, and easily passed stools are considered healthy,” explains Dr. McClymont. The Bristol Stool Forms Scale is a good reference and shows what your bowel movements should look like.
How often should you have bowel movements? “It’s different for every person. Many have a bowel movement once a day, some twice a day or every other day,” says Dr. McClymont. What matters is what is “normal” for you
If you suddenly change the frequency of your bowel movements, become constipated, or have bowel movements more than once a day, you should talk to a doctor about it.
2. Hard spherical stools
“Hard, globular stools can indicate constipation,” explains Dr. McClymont. You are probably constipated if you
- have not had a bowel movement at least 3 times in the past week
- have pain when going to the toilet or have to push hard
- feel bloated too
- suffer from stomach pain
Common causes are lack of fiber, lack of fluids, lack of exercise, medication, stress, anxiety or depression .
“It’s important to drink plenty of water and get enough fiber,” recommends Dr. McClymont. Exercise and gentle gymnastics can also help get your bowels going again.
3. Bulky or watery stools
“Bloody bowel movements or diarrhea are often caused by an intestinal infection, food intolerance , certain medications, an overactive thyroid gland or an intestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease. Certain foods are also potential triggers, such as alcohol, caffeine, and spicy or greasy foods,” explains Dr. McClymont. Stress and anxiety can also trigger diarrhea because your gut is closely connected to your brain.
One of the main symptoms of IBS, which affects 10 to 15% of people worldwide, is loose stools. “Many people find that their irritable bowel symptoms worsen when they are going through a particularly stressful phase,” explains Dr. McClymont.
Treatment for bulky stools depends on the individual trigger. Basically, though, you should make sure you’re drinking enough water, getting enough fiber , and avoiding foods that you know irritate your digestive tract .
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4. Fatty stool
Fatty stool looks oily, often floats to the top and is difficult to flush down. This type of bowel movement can indicate that you are not absorbing enough of the nutrients from your food (malabsorption) or are not making bile or enzymes to digest food effectively. Other common symptoms of malabsorption include
- gas ,
- abdominal cramps ,
- diarrhea _
- weight loss and
- other digestive problems.
If you notice greasy stools, you should talk to a doctor about it. The causes of fatty stool can be varied.
5. Mucus in the stool
“Stool mucus can sometimes indicate an infection or underlying condition, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Both are inflammatory bowel diseases,” says Dr. McClymont. A tear or open sore near the anus (anal fissure), ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and food allergies can also increase mucus production.
If you notice mucus in your bowel movements and you notice changes in your digestion, abdominal pain, or blood in your stools, you should talk to a doctor about it.
6. Black stool (tar colored)
Taking pills for iron deficiency is a common cause of dark-colored stools. Eating foods like liquorice can also stain the stool. However, the dark color can also be a sign of a serious illness.
“Black and tarry stools can indicate a problem like bleeding in the digestive tract,” says Dr. McClymont. “In this case, it is important to speak to a doctor, as further examinations may then be necessary.”
7. Bright red blood in the stool
Bright red blood in the stool can be alarming, but it’s more common than you might think. Triggers are anal fissures, hemorrhoids , irritable bowel syndrome or diverticulitis (a digestive disease affecting the large intestine).
However, blood in the stool can also indicate a serious medical condition. according to dr McClymont, the following symptoms may indicate inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer:
- persistent abdominal pain
- Bleeding from the anus – especially if this blood is “mixed” with stool
- unexplained weight loss
- a change in your usual bowel movements
- a mass in your abdomen or rectum
8. Discolored stool
Stool can be any color from brown to purple to green. “Certain foods can affect the color of stool,” explains Dr. McClymont.
“Beetroot, for example, can cause a pinkish tinge that can look quite worrisome at first glance, but is ultimately harmless. A diet high in spinach and leafy greens can also cause green stools.”
9. Light or clay colored stools
Bile is produced in the liver and gives stool its brown color. So if your stools are light-colored, it could be a sign that the liver isn’t making enough bile or the flow is blocked. If you notice this in yourself, you should talk to a doctor. In this case further investigations are probably necessary.
10. Foul-smelling stool
If your stool smells stronger than usual, it could be anything from constipation to an infection to food intolerance. A recent change in diet can also be a cause.
If you’re concerned or if the foul-smelling stool is accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, fever , or blood in the stool, you should talk to a doctor about it.
Are you still embarrassed about the topic?
Talking to a doctor in detail about digestion and bowel movements is not necessarily for everyone. If you’re embarrassed about the topic, Dr. McClymont to use the Bristol Stool Form Scale . This can help you easily explain the characteristics of your chair. So you can tell in a few words what has changed compared to the usual condition.
The doctor may do a blood test and rectal exam and ask you to provide a stool sample . “It is completely normal to provide a stool sample and it is part of the medical routine to ask the patient to do so,” explains Dr. McClymont. “This sample is then sent to a lab for analysis.”
If you’re concerned about your bowel movements or digestion, it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor right away. Our doctors can help you find the cause and decide on the necessary treatment.
