You are what you poop. Or at least, your poop can say a lot about your overall state of health. Gastroenterologist and MD Vasuda Dhar says it’s important to pay attention to your bowel activity and how your GI tract normally functions. Continue reading to find out the most common types of bowel movements and what they say about your well-being.
Types of Bowel Movements and What is Normal
WebMD categorizes bowel movements into 7 different types. Types 1 and 2 are generally hard to pass and appear as hard and lumpy. If you are experiencing these bowel movements, you are most likely constipated. Try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fiber and stay hydrated to prevent this.
Type 3 poop is log shaped, but there may be some visible cracks. This is totally normal, and if you have this bowel movement, there is nothing to worry about. Another normal bowel is Type 4 which is snake-like and smooth. According to WebMD, these are pretty typical every 1-3 days.
Types 5, 6, and 7 is where you should start to be concerned. All of these types of bowel movements are characterized by their softness and sometimes liquid appearance. They are all signs of diarrhea and can signal illness. Sometimes, diarrhea will go away on its own, but if not, you may need to seek medical treatment and adhere to the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet and get plenty of fluids.
So Your Poop Is A Weird Color
There are 4 different shades your poop can be, so if the color doesn’t appear normal to you, these tips can help you determine if it’s of any concern to your health.
If your bowel movements are any shade of brown, that is a good sign and you are doing well.
A green color may indicate one of two things: you ate a lot of green vegetables or you may be experiencing diarrhea. Generally, this is nothing to worry about either, but of course, if you are sick and have diarrhea, keep an eye on your bowels.
A reddish hue can also indicate one of two things: you ate red colored vegetables such as beets or cranberries or you may have blood in your stool. If there is blood in your stool, you will want to seek immediate medical attention as it may be a sign you have hemorrhoids, colon inflammation, or even cancer.
Finally, a black stool can mean your medication has taken a toll (vitamins with iron may do this), or there is blood in your stool. If there is blood, your bowel movements are black because the blood has been in your GI tract for quite some time.
Get Better Results
If you are experiencing unpleasant poops, you will want to change your lifestyle to get better results. Your diet can play a huge role in what happens afterward.
Eating natural, unprocessed foods that are low in sugar and high in protein and fiber will help your GI tract immensely. You can help out your intestines by adding some type of probiotics, which are found in many types of yogurt and kefir or you can take a supplement.
Staying hydrated is just as important. If you eat a lot of fiber but aren’t drinking enough water, you will experience constipation. Try to drink a full eight glasses a day.
Stress and nerves can also affect your stools, so take some time off work or away from the kids to relax and recoup.
It is important to keep an eye on your poop, as it may be an indication of your health. If you are continually experiencing bowel movements on the negative side, it may be time to seek medical attention.
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Sources: [Everyday Health, Prevention, WebMD, Women’s Health]
