A lot of people don’t realise that their bowel movements can tell them a lot about how healthy they are. Everything from how many times you go to to the colour and how much waste you expel will tell you so much about your digestive health. The digestive tract contains more bacterial cells than in the entire body, so it’s important that we pay attention to their health. If our bowels don’t work properly, it could mean that a vital bodily function isn’t working properly either. Our digestive tract needs to work properly in order to absorb the nutrients from our diets and to keep out toxins and chemicals that could lead to damage and ill health. Most people don’t think too much about what happens in the bathroom, but knowing what is right for you is important. Your diet is often to blame for a change in your bowels, but it may also be an infection or a serious condition. Here are five things to look out for:
Colour
The colour of your stools is usually a reflection on what you’ve been eating – obviously, different shades of brown are normal, but black and yellow aren’t. A black stool could indicate bleeding in the stomach or the entrance of the small intestine, and iron supplements can also darken your stools. A bright red stool could be blood coming from the lower part of the digestive system, such as the rectum or large intestine. Also, pale white or yellow stools can mean a problem – it may be a problem with the bile ducts, or even pancreatic cancer.
Shape
A change in the shape of your bowel movement could be a cause for concern, with some studies indicating that narrow and pencil-thin stools possibly indicating colon cancer. This is because it may show that there is a blockage in the intestine, making it difficult for fecal matter to pass through.
Smell
The smell of poo is never pleasant, but smells which are particularly strange or unpleasant shouldn’t be ignored. This is because it could indicate a health problem that your GP needs to be aware of. There are a number of reasons why your poo may smell worse, such as blood in the stools or medication, as well as a change in diet. If you’re worried, you should speak to your GP.
Constipation
Dry and hard stools that are difficult to pass are an indicator of constipation, and people who are constipated may only have a bowel movement a couple of times a week. It’s common for many people and almost everyone has experienced it at least once in their lives. The most common causes are a lack of hydration, poor diet, certain medications, a lack of exercise or numerous bowel disorders. A high fibre diet is often the best solution, as well as drinking more water. However, if you’re still struggling to pass stools, speak to your doctor.
Diarrhoea
When your stools are loose and watery, this is diarrhoea. Usually this only lasts for one or two days. Much like constipation, a change of diet or bacterial infections can lead to this problem. If left too long, it can lead to dehydration. If it’s lasted for a few weeks without any improvement, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Interestingly, it could also be a sign of you chewing too much gum – there are some ingredients in chewing gums that could lead to diarrhoea.