Experts will reveal what your bowel movements mean for your health

It’s embarrassing to talk about bowel movements. If you think something is “off” in your routine, you may feel unfamiliar with comparing your number two schedule with a friend. But how often it poops, how long it takes to do it, and how our stool actually looks I will reveal a lot about our health. We talked with three gastroenterologists about the frequency of bowel movements, etc., to help you understand what’s normal.

read more: Signs that can make your gut unhealthy and how to fix it

How often do you need to poop?

You probably have someone in your family (if you’re being honest, maybe it’s you) and you’re sure they need to poop every morning. However, a healthy poop schedule is not the same for everyone. If you’re not one of those who go to the bathroom like clockwork after morning coffee, then you don’t have to panic.

Dr. Lance Office, Interventional Gastroenterologist Cities in Hope Orange CountyThe term “normal” generally means that a person’s frequency of defecation continues without changing. “In fact, the number of times you get sick every week can be dramatically different from the rest of your home, with no cause of concern.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Michael Shopis and a lawmaker’s doctor Manhattan Gastroenterology“Normal poop frequencies can range very dramatically depending on the person. Pooing up to three to four times a day can be thought of regularly, up to the whole day. ”

As a general rule, Dr. Uradomo advises that “three times a day to three times a week are considered healthy.” However, doctors say, “It’s important to be aware of your normal routine so that you can alert your doctor if your frequency changes suddenly.”

Is it healthier to have fewer or poop frequently?

Dr. Natasha Chhabra, Gastroenterologist Gastroenterology buddies in New Jerseysays how often your poop is not important than whether you’re pooping enough. She said, “Having a BM is one of the ways our bodies remove toxins and waste, so having a proper BMS (defecation) with complete evacuation is a big goal. In other words, having frequent but complete bowel movements may be healthier than frequent small intestine movements.

How often you should poop can depend on how difficult it is to go second. According to Dr. Schopis, “If you need a lot of tension and bowel movements, or if you need to spend 30 minutes in the toilet, it’s probably better to try poop more often.” He induces poop in this situation. They say that lifestyle changes need to be implemented to do so. Mayo Clinic It is recommended to eat high-fiber foods, maintain hydration and exercise as a natural way to prevent constipation.

On the other hand, it is possible to poop frequently. Dr. Shopis says, “If someone goes 4-5 times a day, it’s watery and if there’s a lot of urgency, this person is probably pooping too much.” Mayo Clinic It is important to note that everything from stomach viruses and bacterial infections to lactose intolerance can cause poop frequently. Antibiotics can also lead to temporary diarrhea.

What does healthy poop look like?

It is used by many doctors Bristol Stool Chart It helps to assess bowel health. The chart is a form scale. That is, you evaluate your stool based on factors such as size and consistency. The movement of bowel movements ranges from 1 to 7, with 1 being the hardest and 7 being completely liquid.

Bristol Stool Type 1-2: Rabbit-like grape-like shits that are very hard and can be difficult to pass through.
Bristol Stool Type 3-4: Soft and easy to pass through cob or sausage defecation corn.
Bristol Stool Type 5-7: Liquid intestinal movements from liquid to liquid may or may not contain some solid parts.

As Dr. Chhabra explains, “The center of the chart (Bristol 3-4) describes healthy BMs, commonly referred to as sausages or snakes.” Poo in these categories is also solid. However, it may be smooth or cracks on the surface.

Healthy poop in Bristol 3-4 category shows someone getting enough water Fiber enough for their dietAccording to Dr. Shopis. He points out that while this type of stool is often the easiest to pass through, “Types 1-2 of Bristol stools are often hard, pebbles, difficult to pass through, and show constipation.” It’s.

If your poop is floating, you may have Excessive gaseating a meal with a high fat content or having gastrointestinal tract (GI) problems. Your poop should sink frequently.

color

I would also like to consider the color of my bowel movements. “Healthy poop can be brown or green, but should never be black or should not contain blood. This is cancer and other health issues,” Dr. Uradomo said. “It may indicate the existence of In your case The stool is particularly pale whiteyou may want to talk to your doctor about your liver, pancreas, and gallbladder health.

odor

According to Mount Sinai HospitalThe smell is also important. Poo never smells pleasant, but if you suddenly get a new or particularly foul smell, you can experience conditions such as chronic pancreatitis or ulcerative colitis. The good news is that your diet can also really create stools that smell. So if you have one seriously bad smelling bm, it might be from Eat or drink something fermented Or consume a lot of garlic.

How long does it take is poor?

Poo should not take more than a few minutes. “Ideally, someone should spend less than five minutes without pushing or nervous to defecate,” Dr. Shopis said. Dr. Chabra explains, “People spending more than a few minutes with a BM should raise concerns about constipation, especially if you’re nervous.”

Dr. Uradomo gives a little more room by saying, “It should take a person five to 15 minutes to defecate in the toilet.” He warns that he may be sitting in the toilet for longer than that.

What are the signs of unhealthy gut?

There are some important signs you may have Unhealthy intestines. These include:

pain: While you’re tired, frequent pain can cause concern. This can mean that your stool is too difficult or you have a bigger gastrointestinal problem.

blood: The blood in the bowl after poop can also signal unhealthy gut. Dr. Uradomo said, “Blood in the stool can be caused by relatively small problems like hemo, but it could also be an indicator of cancer, bowel disease, or major internal bleeding.” You should monitor and consult a doctor.

Loss of intestinal control: If you have experienced incontinence intestinal (fecal) Weakening of the rectal or anal muscles. Muscle and nerve damage caused by childbirth can also affect the ability to control bowel movements.

Black Stool: Dr. Uradomo warns that stools that look black or tally can indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach and small intestine.

Chronic diarrhea: If diarrhea is common that lasts longer than a few days, you may be dealing with irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease. Celiac disease can cause frequent, pale diarrhea.

When you tell your doctor about your poop

It is worth consulting your doctor whenever you are experiencing painful poop or inability to move your intestines. NHS Warns that chronic constipation can lead to dangerous feces; Health Line If it’s a week without bowel movements, we recommend seeking a doctor’s appointment.

Generally, Dr. Shopis says, “If you’re not infrequent or you’ve gone too far and realize that your bowel movements are in control of your life.” Seeing a doctor is a great idea. Black or bloody poop also indicates that it is time for medical evaluation.

How to keep your poop healthy

Lifestyle changes are all you need to create healthier shit habits. For example, check Drink plenty of water. Dehydration may lead to constipation or make it difficult for your stool to pass through. Dr. Chabra also recommends eating fiber every day throughout the fruits and vegetables. She says this “helps to make your bowel movement more fulfilling and easier to pass.”

More specifically, Dr. Schopis advises aiming for 2-3 liters of water per day to 2-30 grams of fiber per day to achieve healthy and normal bowel movements. Aside from this advice, we recommend considering more exercise to help your gut run smoothly.

Conclusion

You don’t need to poop every day, but you need to track your habits and be aware when there are dramatic changes. Symptoms such as tension from poop or experiencing chronic diarrhea are signs that it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor. In the meantime, eating fiber and drinking plenty of water is an easy way to help you poop regularly.