What does the appearance of your stool indicate about your health. How can you tell if your bowel movements are normal. What are the signs that your stool may be indicating a health issue. When should you consult a doctor about changes in your stool.

The Basics of Healthy Stool: Sink or Float

Understanding the characteristics of your stool can provide valuable insights into your overall health. One common question many people have is whether healthy stools should float or sink. Let’s dive into this topic and explore what your bowel movements might be telling you about your well-being.

Typically, healthy stools sink to the bottom of the toilet bowl. This is because normal feces are denser than water, causing them to descend rather than float. When you hear a distinct “plop” sound as your stool hits the water, it’s often a good sign that your digestive system is functioning properly and your diet contains an adequate amount of fiber.

What Causes Stools to Sink?

Sinking stools are usually composed of:

• Indigestible food residue
• Bacteria
• A significant percentage of water
• Small amounts of fat

These components combine to create a dense mass that’s heavier than water, resulting in sinking stools. If you’re consistently producing sinking stools, it’s generally a positive indicator of good digestive health and a balanced diet.

When Stools Float: Causes and Implications

While sinking stools are typically considered healthy, floating stools aren’t always a cause for concern. Occasional floating stools can occur due to various factors and usually resolve on their own. However, persistent floating stools may indicate underlying health issues that require attention.

Common Causes of Floating Stools

Several factors can contribute to floating stools:

1. Dietary changes: Consuming new foods or those that produce excess gas can temporarily alter stool density.
2. Gastrointestinal infections: Short-term illnesses can affect stool composition.
3. Malabsorption: This condition can lead to frequent floating, greasy stools and weight loss.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Floating stools may be accompanied by other symptoms like cramping and bloating.

Do floating stools always indicate a health problem? Not necessarily. Occasional floating stools, especially after dietary changes, are usually harmless. However, if you consistently experience floating stools accompanied by other symptoms like weight loss or abdominal discomfort, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

The Color Spectrum of Healthy and Unhealthy Stools

The color of your stool can provide valuable information about your digestive health and potential underlying conditions. Understanding the range of normal and abnormal stool colors can help you identify when there might be cause for concern.

Normal Stool Colors

Healthy stools typically fall within a spectrum of colors:

• Light to dark brown: The most common and healthiest color, influenced by bile from digestive organs.
• Green: Often caused by consuming leafy vegetables or foods with green food coloring.
• Yellow-brown: Can be normal, especially if you’ve eaten foods high in fat.

Unhealthy Stool Colors

Certain stool colors may indicate health issues:

• Clay or gray: May suggest bile duct problems, hepatitis, or gallstones.
• Black: Could indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding (if not caused by iron supplements or certain foods).
• Red: Might signify lower gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhoids, or more serious conditions like colorectal cancer.
• White: Potentially a sign of bile duct obstruction or certain medications.

How long should you monitor changes in stool color before seeking medical advice? If unusual stool colors persist for more than a few days or are accompanied by other symptoms like abdominal pain or weight loss, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider promptly.

Decoding Stool Shapes and Consistencies

The shape and consistency of your stool can offer valuable clues about your digestive health and overall well-being. While there’s a range of normal appearances, certain characteristics may signal potential issues that warrant attention.

Healthy Stool Shapes

Normal, healthy stools can vary in appearance:

• Formed logs with a clay-like consistency
• Smooth, snake-like shapes
• Varying lengths and sizes

These shapes generally indicate good digestive function and adequate fiber intake. The Bristol Stool Chart, a medical tool used to classify stool forms, considers types 3 and 4 (sausage-shaped with cracks or smooth and soft) as ideal.

Potential Problem Shapes

Certain stool shapes may suggest digestive issues:

• Pellet-like or hard lumps: Often indicate constipation
• Very soft or liquid: May signal diarrhea or inadequate fiber intake
• Pencil-thin: Could suggest intestinal obstruction in some cases
• Loose and watery: Might indicate infection or dietary intolerances

Can changes in stool shape be temporary? Yes, stool shape can vary based on diet, hydration, and stress levels. However, persistent changes, especially when accompanied by discomfort or other symptoms, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

The Role of Diet in Stool Characteristics

Your diet plays a crucial role in determining the characteristics of your stool. Understanding how different foods affect your bowel movements can help you maintain digestive health and identify potential issues.

Fiber: The Stool Shaper

Fiber is essential for healthy bowel movements. It adds bulk to stool, promotes regularity, and helps maintain optimal gut health. There are two types of fiber:

• Soluble fiber: Dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance, softening stool.
• Insoluble fiber: Doesn’t dissolve in water and adds bulk to stool.

How much fiber should you consume daily? The recommended daily intake is 25-30 grams for adults. Good sources include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

Hydration and Stool Consistency

Adequate water intake is crucial for maintaining proper stool consistency. Dehydration can lead to hard, dry stools and constipation. Conversely, excessive fluid intake, especially when combined with a low-fiber diet, may result in loose or watery stools.

Impact of Specific Foods

Certain foods can significantly affect stool characteristics:

• Dairy products: May cause looser stools in lactose-intolerant individuals
• Spicy foods: Can speed up digestion and lead to looser stools
• Artificial sweeteners: May cause diarrhea in some people
• High-fat foods: Can lead to greasy, floating stools if consumed in excess

How quickly can dietary changes affect your stool? Changes in stool consistency and appearance can occur within 24-72 hours of significant dietary modifications.

When to Seek Medical Advice for Stool Changes

While occasional variations in stool characteristics are normal, certain changes may warrant medical attention. Recognizing these signs can help you address potential health issues early.

Red Flag Symptoms

Consider consulting a healthcare provider if you experience:

• Persistent changes in stool color, especially black or bloody stools
• Ongoing diarrhea or constipation lasting more than a few days
• Unexplained weight loss accompanied by stool changes
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Frequent floating, greasy stools (potential sign of malabsorption)

Screening and Prevention

Regular health check-ups and screenings are essential for maintaining digestive health. Colorectal cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies, are typically recommended starting at age 45 for individuals at average risk.

How often should you have a colonoscopy? For those at average risk, a colonoscopy is generally recommended every 10 years after the initial screening. However, individuals with higher risk factors may need more frequent screenings.

Maintaining Healthy Bowel Movements: Lifestyle Tips

Promoting regular, healthy bowel movements is an important aspect of overall wellness. By incorporating certain lifestyle habits, you can support optimal digestive function and potentially prevent various gastrointestinal issues.

Dietary Recommendations

A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining healthy stools:

• Increase fiber intake gradually to avoid digestive discomfort
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Limit processed foods and excessive amounts of fat
• Include probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir to support gut health

Exercise and Physical Activity

Regular physical activity can promote healthy bowel movements by:

• Stimulating intestinal contractions
• Reducing transit time of food through the digestive system
• Helping maintain a healthy body weight

How much exercise is needed to benefit digestive health? Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week.

Stress Management

Chronic stress can negatively impact digestive function. Incorporate stress-reduction techniques such as:

• Meditation or mindfulness practices
• Deep breathing exercises
• Regular sleep schedule
• Engaging in enjoyable hobbies or activities

By implementing these lifestyle changes, you can promote healthier bowel movements and potentially improve your overall digestive health. Remember that everyone’s digestive system is unique, so it may take some time to find the right balance that works for you.

Understanding the characteristics of your stool and recognizing potential warning signs is an important aspect of maintaining your health. While occasional changes in stool appearance are normal, persistent alterations or concerning symptoms should prompt a discussion with a healthcare provider. By paying attention to your bowel movements and making informed lifestyle choices, you can support your digestive health and overall well-being.

What It Can Tell You About Your Health

Healthy poop typically sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl. You may have floating poop temporarily if you have an illness. But regular floaters can indicate a health condition.

When was the last time you took a look at what you left behind in the toilet bowl?

While there are certainly more appealing (and better-smelling) things to look at, checking out what’s coming out the other end can actually tell you a lot about your diet, activity level, and health in general.

It can be especially important to know whether your poop sinks or floats. But since you’re probably (hopefully?) not looking at anyone else’s poop on the regular, it can be hard to know whether yours is “normal.”

Let’s cover the basics of what normal, healthy poop looks like, what to do when it doesn’t look normal, and when to see a doctor.

Poop typically consists of:

• indigestible fat
• food residue
• bacteria
• a large percentage of water

Hearing a hearty “plop!” when you’re sitting on the toilet is actually a sign that your poop is dense and, therefore, healthy.

If you’re eating a fiber-full diet and your digestive system is firing on all cylinders, your poop should be heavy enough to land at the bottom of the toilet bowl.

What to do if your poop floats

Even though healthy poop sinks, occasionally your poop will float like a life preserver.

If you’re leaving the occasional floater behind, it’s probably not a cause for concern. Eating a new food or food that gives you a lot of gas can make your poop less dense, resulting in floating stools. After a day or so, this typically goes away on its own.

Floating poop can sometimes be a symptom of a gastrointestinal infection or a stomach bug. These, too, tend to be temporary and will go away on their own.

But if your poop frequently floats and feels greasy, it could mean that you’re experiencing malabsorption.

Another symptom of malabsorption is weight loss. See your doctor if this is a regular symptom for you, especially if it’s accompanied by floating poops.

Floating poop can also be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS has other symptoms, too, such as:

• cramping
• bloating after meals
• constipation
• frequent diarrhea

If you frequently have floating poop in addition to these other symptoms, talk with your doctor.

Healthy stool is brown. This is because bile from your digestive organs tints the color of your poop.

Your poop can vary in color according to what you’ve eaten recently. If your poop looks super dark or even black, it’s probably because you’ve been eating a lot of blueberries or a food that uses dark food dyes, like black licorice.

Unhealthy shades

If your poop isn’t on the range of colors between yellow and dark brown, it can indicate an underlying health concern.

Light color

Poop that’s a lighter shade of brown or gray, or clay-colored, can indicate that your bile ducts aren’t functioning at their full capacity. This can be a sign of:

• hepatitis
• bile duct blockage
• gallstones
• swelling in the liver or pancreas

If your poop becomes lighter in color than usual and doesn’t return to its dark brown color, pay attention to other symptoms you be having. Contact your doctor if you aren’t feeling well.

Red

Poop that’s red, or stools that come out bloody, can be a sign that you have a blockage at your rectum. It can also indicate hemorrhoids or gastrointestinal bleeding.

In some cases, red poop can be a warning sign of colorectal polyps or intestinal cancer.

If you’re seeing blood in your stool or frequently have red poop, contact your doctor and let them know, regardless of other symptoms. They’ll be able to tell if you need to have your stool tested to determine what’s causing your red poop.

Poop can take many shapes and still be healthy.

Your feces will typically appear in formed logs with a clay-like consistency. Narrow, snake-shaped poop is also considered normal. Your poop can be large, small, short, or long: All these shapes fall on the spectrum of normal.

Unhealthy shapes

There are some things about your poop’s consistency and shape that can point to an underlying health condition. Most things about your poop’s shape and size are related to your diet.

Poop that looks lumpy or comes out in small softball- or caterpillar-like shapes can mean that you’re constipated. Increase your water intake if you notice your poop coming out pebbly or dry, even if you’re not straining when you go.

Poop that looks jagged or fuzzy might mean it’s time to load up your plate with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

A low amount of fiber in your diet can result in poop that’s extremely soft. If your poop lacks (for lack of a better word) definition, change up the amount of fiber you’re getting at each meal.

Even healthy poop doesn’t smell the best. There’s a reason, after all, why the word “excrement” is synonymous with “gross.”

Unpleasant-smelling poop is the result of bacteria and food decay. Poop has a very distinct smell that you’re probably familiar with, and everyone’s poop smells unique to them. Poop that smells earthy or musty is typical and normal.

Unhealthy smells

Poop that smells greasy, foul, or especially putrid can be a sign from your body that there’s something else going on.

Taking antibiotics changes the microbiota in your gut. This can result in foul-smelling stool. It’s often temporary and will resolve on its own, but a course of probiotic supplements can’t hurt to help things along.

If you menstruate, your poop may have a distinct and powerful odor during your period (which is totally normal).

You may also experience foul-smelling stool in addition to diarrhea if you take more than the recommended dose of a multivitamin or supplement. This, too, will resolve on its own in a day or two.

Seeing a doctor

If your poop is especially smelly and accompanied by other symptoms, you may need to contact your doctor.

Bacterial infections like E. coli, food and dairy allergies, and gastrointestinal parasites can cause your stool to smell abnormally offensive. Malabsorption can also cause a strong stench.

If your poop smells worse than usual, pay attention to other symptoms that you may be having. See your doctor if you have especially smelly stools and:

• frequent cramping
• constipation
• diarrhea
• weight loss
• bloody stool

Some people poop a couple times a day. Others only poop every other day. Regularity is important, but there’s a wide range of what’s “normal” when it comes to poop frequency.

You may poop more often or less frequently depending on how much fiber is in your diet, how much meat you eat, how much physical activity you tend to get, and other factors.

Fixing constipation

If you feel constipated, first try to increase your water intake. Being dehydrated means that you might not have enough water traveling through your intestine to form solid, healthy poop.

If that doesn’t work, increase your fiber intake. Keep in mind that eating a lot of fiber can actually slow your digestion, at least at first.

Constipation home remedies are another option if you’re not pooping regularly. Consider taking a magnesium supplement or a natural laxative to get things moving. Getting some exercise, like going for a run or practicing yoga, can also help.

If you experience constipation on a regular basis, or if your stools are hard and dry, let your doctor know.

Healthy poop will typically sink to the bottom of the toilet, look dark brown, and smell a bit musty but not especially foul.

Poop gives you important clues into what’s going on inside your body. Any stool that’s not within the realm of what’s normal for you is a reason to pay close attention.

Stool that floats, is a different color than usual, and smells especially foul could indicate that you need to have a conversation with your doctor.

Why Do Stools Float Sometimes?

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Are Floating Stools?
• Why Would Stools Float?
• When To See a Doctor
• Treatment
• Prevention

Stools, or poop, usually sink to the bottom of the toilet, but sometimes, they can float. If your poop never sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl, you may have too much gas in your intestines.‌

Normally, floating stools aren’t a cause for concern. Read on to learn more about why stools float, what floating stools say about your health, and more.

When stools float, it means the poop stays on the surface of the toilet water instead of sinking. Normally, poop sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl.‌

Floating poop doesn’t mean you’re sick, but it can be a symptom of various conditions.

There are several reasons why poop floats and never seems to sink.

Too much gas. You may have too much gas in you due to your diet, which can make your stools float. 

Some people think that floating poop is caused by fat, but it’s usually caused by gas. Research has indicated that once floating stools were degassed, they weighed the same as sinking poop. This indicates that gas was responsible for making floating stools float, rather than fat inside the poop.

Gas in your digestive system is usually caused when you swallow air or eat certain types of foods that break down into gas. 

If you eat a high-fiber diet with a lot of vegetables and fruits, you may get floating stools because digesting high-fiber foods releases more air during digestion. This leads to air or gas being trapped in the stool, making it float in the toilet bowl.

Medical conditions. If your poop floats, there’s a slight chance you have steatorrhea, which means you have too much fat in your poop. Steatorrhea indicates you can’t absorb fat properly, and it can be a symptom of the following conditions:

• Celiac disease
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) due to cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis
• Diseases affecting small intestines such as tropical sprue, Whipple disease, and lymphoma
• Bile acid deficiency

You may also have the following conditions if you have floating poop:

• Gastrointestinal infection
• Malabsorption, which means you’re not absorbing nutrients as well as you should

Floating stools don’t necessarily mean you have an underlying health condition. To determine if a health condition is causing this, you should be on the lookout for other indicators. 

If your floating stools are smelly, sticky, or bloody, for example, you should see a doctor. Your doctor will give you a proper diagnosis and walk you through the process of understanding your condition if you have one. Here’s a closer look at what might cause these symptoms.‌

Smelly and sticky stools. Smelly and sticky stools are typically a symptom of nutrient malabsorption. This means your body isn’t able to completely absorb and digest nutrients from your gastrointestinal tract due to damage to the small intestine, not having enough pancreatic enzymes, liver disease, HIV/AIDs, or other conditions.

If your floating stools are smelly and appear sticky, you should contact your doctor.

Blood in your stool. If your floating poop is accompanied by blood, it could be caused by:

• Bleeding in your anus or rectum
• Cancer of your digestive system
• Blood vessel abnormalities
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis
• Ulcers in the stomach or small intestine
• Polyps
• Diverticulitis ‌

If you find blood in your stools, you should see a doctor. If you’re experiencing weight loss, dizziness, or fever in addition to finding blood in your stools, you should talk to your doctor immediately. You should also get emergency medical help if there is a lot of blood in your poop, or if it is maroon or black and tarry.‌

Your doctor will be able to determine what is the exact cause of bloody poop through imaging tests and physical exams.

When you visit your doctor, they will likely ask you several questions about your medical history and your current health to determine why you have floating stools. They will also ask you about your diet and how long you’ve been having this issue so they can make any needed diet and medication recommendations.

Unless there is a medical condition causing you to have floating poops, there is no need to do anything to treat or prevent them.

Monitor your pooping habits. Always be aware of any changes to your stool and bowel movements. If you’re suddenly pooping more or less, or your poop looks very different, you should report these changes to your doctor. Your doctor will find it easier to diagnose any health conditions you may have if you keep an organized record about your pooping habits.

Changing your diet. Sometimes, preventing floating poop can be as easy as changing your diet, since floating poop can be caused by eating foods that cause you to have more gas.

You should avoid the following foods if you have a problem with too much gas:

• Hard candy
• Fizzy or carbonated drinks
• Gum‌

Keep a food diary so you can keep track of what you eat and narrow down what foods are giving you gas. You should bring this diary to your doctor so you can talk to them about how you can change your diet.

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Intestinal health is reflected in the characteristics of the stool. Stool can also reflect the health of other body organs such as the stomach, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. Stool characteristics that are used to determine the health of the intestines and other organs include stool consistency, frequency of bowel movements, and stool color and odor. In addition to these characteristics, feces can also be examined in a clinical laboratory to reveal more detailed information about the body’s health.

A feature of stool that can help distinguish health from illness is whether the stool floats or sinks. Under healthy conditions, stool sinks. Floating stools may indicate an underlying medical condition. However, this is not always the case. Not all cases of floating stool indicate an underlying medical condition. Other associated signs and symptoms must be taken into account before suggesting that disease may be present. If floating stools are not accompanied by any other symptoms, then there is usually no cause for immediate concern.

Why does the stool float?

Floating or sinking stool is determined by the density of the substance relative to the density of water. Stool floats when it is less dense than water. This is mainly due to the presence of gas or fat in the stool.

Feces are made up of various components. About 60-75% of stool composition is in the form of water. The remaining components of feces include undigested fiber (about 7.5%), intestinal bacteria (about 7.5%), inorganic components (up to 5%), fat (up to 5%), and a tiny fraction of protein (<1%). As can be seen from the composition, gases do not form any significant proportion of feces. Therefore, even a small increase in the proportion of gas in the stool is enough to reduce the density of the stool and cause it to float.

Floating stools may be caused by an underlying disorder when accompanied by other signs and symptoms. These associated signs and symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, changes in appetite, changes in stool texture, color, and odor.

Causes of floating stools

Gas in the intestines mainly comes from the action of bacteria in the colon. These colon bacteria produce gas as a by-product of their action on the food present in the intestine. Usually the population of these intestinal bacteria is controlled. However, under certain conditions, an increase in their number may occur. Alternatively, some conditions can cause incomplete digestion and absorption of food in the intestines. Both lead to excessive outgassing.

Gas in the stool also comes from the air that is swallowed while breathing, eating and drinking. Carbonated drinks are a source of gas in the intestines. The gas is also able to diffuse through the intestinal walls. It is released during the chemical breakdown process.

Diseases that cause floating feces are most often associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the common conditions that can lead to floating stools are:

Bowel infections

Intestinal infections, whether caused by external pathogenic bacteria or internal indigenous bacteria in the intestine, are the main source of gas in the intestine. As a rule, the growth of the local bacterial flora of the intestine is controlled. This is mainly achieved through the action of the intestinal immune system and competition with other microbial flora. Under abnormal conditions, an overgrowth of bacteria occurs. This results in increased gas production and floating stools.

Food intolerance

Food intolerance is caused by a lack of appropriate enzymes that metabolize certain food components. A common example is lactose intolerance, which is the result of a lack of the lactase enzyme. When a lactose intolerant person consumes milk and other dairy products, the lactose sugar in these products is not digested. Bacteria in the gut feed on undigested lactose sugar. This causes excessive gas production and floating stools.

Malabsorption syndromes

Malabsorption refers to conditions in which nutrients from digested food are not absorbed in the intestines. Intestinal gas production increases as colon bacteria attack food components remaining in the colon. Malabsorption can be caused by a variety of conditions such as intestinal inflammation, intestinal infections, sensitivities to certain foods, and alcoholism.

Diseases of the pancreas

The pancreas is an important player in the digestive process. Pancreatic enzymes enter the small intestine (duodenum) where they help in the digestion of various food components. Diseases that affect the pancreas can disrupt the synthesis and secretion of pancreatic enzymes. Without pancreatic enzymes, food in the intestines is not digested properly. Colon bacteria feed on undigested food and cause increased gas production. This excessive gas production contributes to the formation of floating stools.

Diseases of the gallbladder

The gallbladder secretes a fluid called bile into the intestines. Bile contains fatty emulsifiers that allow digestive enzymes to break down the fats present in food. When bile production or secretion is impaired (due to diseases such as gallbladder disease or surgical removal), fat is not digested properly. Colon bacteria feed on fat and increase in number. As a result, excessive gas production causes floating stools.

Short intestine

The entire length of the human intestine is involved in the digestion and absorption of various food components. When the length of the intestine shortens, it negatively affects digestion and absorption of food. As a result, more food is available for intestinal bacteria. Increased bacterial action leads to excessive gas production and floating stools. A short bowel may result from surgical removal of a portion of the bowel or from a congenital disease.

Other causes

In addition to the above causes, excessive gas production and floating stools can also be caused by diseases such as celiac disease and cystic fibrosis. Normal conditions, such as pregnancy and dietary changes (such as fasting and eating new foods), also often trigger floating stools.

For those who are interested: medical bed with pneumatic drive

Source: https://www. me-d.ru

How can our faeces help in early diagnosis?

We all poop, and even princesses don’t do it with violets. We’ll tell you what to pay attention to!

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Health

Health problems

What do these symptoms mean?

For some, the process of defecation is uncomfortable and unpleasant, associated with pain or shame. For others, it’s just part of the “cycle of life.” Babies inevitably go through the exciting process of getting to know the contents of their diapers.

In our culture, going to the bathroom “big” is almost never discussed publicly. But there is no need to be ashamed of this process – we all sit on a faience throne from time to time. Shameful inattention can even be harmful – our feces can “tell” about what is happening in the body and how it can be helped.

What is feces made of?

Mainly from undigested food, proteins, bacteria, minerals and other substances passing through the intestines. Every person is unique when it comes to feces, but there are a few common signs in shape, size, and odor that may indicate an unhealthy or unhealthy gastrointestinal tract.

What should be a normal stool?

Healthy feces can be as varied and unique as the people who produced them. But there are several general criteria by which you can evaluate the results of your digestive creativity:

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Color

The natural color for faeces is brown. Bilirubin is responsible for it – a pigment compound formed during the breakdown of red blood cells in the body.

Shape

We’re not cube-pooping wombats, so our bowels assume the more traditional, familiar shapes of feces—a log or a sausage. However, as we will learn later, various other options are possible that indicate problems.

Size

Feces should not come out in small “goat” balls (we will also talk about this later). The “standard” length is 5-6 centimeters, which is due to the ease of passage of feces through the intestines.

Consistency

Here the normal range is quite wide – normal feces can be both harder and softer. Deviations in one direction or another may indicate problems with digestion or an imbalance of fiber in the diet.

Duration of the process

If a person sits in the toilet for a long time, we believe that he is most likely pooping (or perhaps trying to hide from mumbling children for at least ten minutes). But for a healthy body, the process of defecation takes no longer than a couple of minutes. Therefore, if you spend more time in the toilet, this is an occasion to think about it.

What is the shape of feces and what does it indicate?

1. Goat balls

Hard small lumps that come out with difficulty usually indicate constipation. The frequent appearance of such a consistency is a reason to reconsider your diet.

2. Fat Caterpillar

Feces may be sausage-shaped but hard and lumpy in texture. This is also a sign of constipation.

3. “Sausage”

Faeces not too hard, not too soft, with small cracks on the surface. Gold standard, well done! Continue in the same spirit.

4. “Snake”

Feces are soft, smooth and long, shaped like a snake. In general, this is a variant of the norm.

5. Jellyfish

Feces are small in size, like goat balls, but have a soft texture and a fairly distinct shape. Usually such feces indicate a lack of fiber in the diet, so it is worth sticking to vegetables and cereals.

6. “Vegetable puree”

Feces are airy and soft, with jagged edges. This type of stool is closer to diarrhea, so drink plenty of fluids.

7. “Blotography”

Feces are completely liquid, there are few or no solid particles at all. This is diarrhea, or, as the people say, diarrhea. Feces passed through the intestines too quickly and did not have time to form.

What can stool color indicate?

How important is color when it comes to poop? It turns out yes. It helps to understand what is happening inside the body.

The normal color of feces, as we have already said, are shades of brown. A small greenery is also not terrible and may not be a sign of a problem. The following colors of feces should attract your attention:

Black

Who among us has not observed black feces with mild horror after taking a blister of activated charcoal? Surely there are such people, but there are hardly too many of them in the Russian expanses. Other “safe” causes of black feces can be iron supplements, bismuth preparations, hematogen, and even licorice.

But if you haven’t used anything like this, immediately go to the doctor – the black color of the feces can be caused by digested blood, which means that somewhere in the upper gastrointestinal tract there is bleeding.

Green

Small greens, as we have already mentioned, are not terrible.

But if the stool is more green than brown, then you may have one of two reasons: either you eat too many greens, or the stool passes through the intestines too quickly. In the latter case, bilirubin simply does not have time to color the stool in the usual brown color.

Pale, whitish or clay-colored

A color that is too light may indicate a lack of bile. We need it for healthy digestion and is normally produced by the liver and gallbladder. If the stool is too light, you may have a clogged bile duct, so don’t put off going to the doctor.

Pale stools can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Red

Yes, it’s blood. Perhaps problems with hemorrhoids, possibly bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract (as we already know, the higher the source of bleeding, the more time the blood has to digest).

Well, or you ate beets. Or cranberries. Or tomatoes.

Yellow

Greasy, foul-smelling yellow feces may indicate too much fat that has not been digested. It may also be associated with malabsorption of nutrients (for example, celiac disease).

Is it true that feces do not sink, as in the well-known proverb?

Normally, feces should just sink. They begin to swim when the density decreases, which happens due to an increase in the amount of water or gases in the composition.

Another cause may be malabsorption, the malabsorption of nutrients in the small intestine. In this case, the “big swim” may be accompanied by mild constipation.

When can we talk about constipation?

It turns out that constipation is not only a situation of long “sessions in parliament”. From a medical point of view, you can talk about constipation if you have a bowel movement less than three times a week!

There can be many reasons: from a nervous breakdown to problems with the nerves in the pelvic area, from diabetes to pregnancy. We humans are gentle creatures, and a huge number of factors affect our digestion. Many animals “from nerves” also stop pooping first. Take the same cats – after moving or strong excitement, the poor animal may not go to the pot for 3-4 days.

But back to homo sapiens. If you suffer from constipation, try drinking more water and eating vegetables, fruits, and legumes. And don’t forget to move – at least walk. There is a good chance that the problem will be solved.

A not very physiological posture can make defecation difficult. Why this happens can be clearly seen in the extremely ironic commercial with the prince and the unicorn.

When should I see a doctor?

If stool problems persist for more than a couple of days, you should consult a doctor. Green stool or a strange shape happens to everyone from time to time, but recurrence is a sign of a problem.

Chronic constipation can cause bowel obstruction, and chronic diarrhea can make it difficult to absorb essential nutrients and lead to severe dehydration.