Introduction
It may seem gross but your poop can tell about your health. But it is a fact that poop talks aloud about our health. Stools can be an indicator of our health. The shape/smell/frequency etc. of stool is quite an indication of what’s going inside us. The health of our digestive system is indicated by our stool. In turn, our digestive system is responsible for supplying nourishment to the whole body. Thus the health of our digestive system impacts the health of our whole body.
The stool of a healthy person is soft, easy to pass through, bulky, brown in color, and consistent and well-formed. If due to any digestive issues the food transits abnormally slow or fast texture and color of the food are changed due to the abnormal time available for digestion and processing of the food in the system.
The Bristol Stool Scale classifies stool types into seven categories based on size and texture.
The shape of our stool understood through the Bristol stool chart can help us understand the type and nature of our stool.
The types of stool at 1 & 2 are hard and painful to pass. These types of the stool have been in the intestine for much more than normal periods and are due to constipation.
The stool of types 3 and 4 is indicative of a good digestive system.
The stools of types 5,6 and 7 are not consistent and are watery or loose. These have spent very less than ideal time in the intestine and have not been processed in the digestive system.
What poop looks like
We all have observed that the color of stool is also dependent upon the color of the food we eat. Bile gives stool the normal brownish color.
If we eat a large quantity of green-colored food items our stool also is of green color. Sometimes due to improper ingestion like diarrhea, the food travels faster in the intestines and comes out undigested retaining the color of the food.
Some people may observe the color of their stool to be reddish. This can be due to red-colored food viz beetroots etc or red colored medicines are taken by them. It can also be due to blood in the stool either owing to bleeding from hemorrhoids or intestinal bleeding.
The stool’s black color can be due to some medicines or supplements of iron. Bleeding can also cause the stool to be black.
Does smell also suggest something?
The smell of poop can tell a lot about health. If your poop smells bad, it could be a sign of a health problem.
There are many different things that can affect the smell of poop. Diet is one of the biggest factors. If we eat a lot of greasy or spicy foods, our poop will likely smell worse than usual. Other factors that can affect the smell of poop include dehydration, illnesses, and certain medications.
The cause should be figured out and corrected
How often one should poop
Pooping is a natural and necessary part of the digestive process, but how often one should do it can vary from person to person. Most people poop anywhere from three times a day to once every three days. If you go more than a week without pooping, this is called constipation. Constipation can be uncomfortable and may even lead to more serious health problems.
Change in bowl movement
Sometimes there is a change in our bowl pattern due to changes in our diet or due to some medication. But a prolonged and abnormal change accompanied with or without any specific symptoms can be a manifestation of some condition requiring urgent care. In case even after reversal of the known cause of change in bowl movement the abnormality in the bowl continues, it should be acted upon properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your poop can tell a lot about your health. Pay attention to the color and texture of it, as these can give you clues on what is going on inside your body. If you notice any changes in the consistency or frequency of your bowel movements, make sure to consult with a medical professional for further evaluation. Keeping track of our physical health is essential for maintaining overall well-being, and making sure that our digestive system is functioning properly should be part of that process.
