WHAT DOES THE COLOUR AND TEXTURE OF YOUR POOP TELLS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!
We need to poop or excrete more or less each day to let out the undigested waste in form of solid , semi solid or liquid from our intestines . But little do we care to sometimes cheak the texture and colour of this waste . Little vigilance on our part can save us from many diseases .
WHAT IS NORMAL POOPING ?
Doctors state that if anyone excretes soft or semi - solid waste from 3 times a day to once in 3 days (to be precise 3 times /week) , falls under the category of normal poopers or persons whose bowels are functioning normally . Any thing which is more may fall under the category of diahorrhea /dysentery and anything less falls under the category of constipation respectively.
We can divide our poop texture into 7 types which can further be divided into the below mentioned broad categories .
CONSTIPATION
It is a condition in which the stools are hard to pass through and they have lack of proper or normal bowel movements . The causes may vary from physical inactivity , certain medications , age , lack of fibre intake , pregnancy , over use of laxatives etc. Suppressing the urge to poop may also be one of the factors responsible for it.
Females and males should try to eat 20 grams & 26 grams of fibre per day respectively. Drink plenty of water . Some cases of constipation may be cured by drinking warm water in the mornings or eating 3-4 grams(for adults) of Triphala powder before going to bed . If it still persists , kindly cheak with a doctor asap
It is a condition in which the stools are hard to pass through and they have lack of proper or normal bowel movements . The causes may vary from physical inactivity , certain medications , age , lack of fibre intake , pregnancy , over use of laxatives etc. Suppressing the urge to poop may also be one of the factors responsible for it.
Females and males should try to eat 20 grams & 26 grams of fibre per day respectively. Drink plenty of water . Some cases of constipation may be cured by drinking warm water in the mornings or eating 3-4 grams(for adults) of Triphala powder before going to bed . If it still persists , kindly cheak with a doctor asap
Image source : Evidentlycochrane.net
Type 1 - As you can see , this type of stools are separate hard lumps like nuts. They are difficult to pass through while excreting . Severe constipation
Type 2 - They are sausage shaped but lumpy . Mild constipation
NORMAL POOP
These are the ideal poop which suggest that you are in a healthy state and try to maintain remaining in this category by eating fresh leafy seasonal vegetable and foods . Avoid excess alcohol smoking .
Type 2 - They are sausage shaped but lumpy . Mild constipation
NORMAL POOP
These are the ideal poop which suggest that you are in a healthy state and try to maintain remaining in this category by eating fresh leafy seasonal vegetable and foods . Avoid excess alcohol smoking .
Image source : Evidentlycochrane.net
Type 3 - It is smooth and soft , with the shape like sausage or a snake
Type 4 - Shape is like a sausage but cracks on its surface . Consumption of more liquids is advised .
DIARRHOEA /DYSENTRY & URGENCY
This category requires immediate attention as it may indicate :
Diarrhoea - It is characterised by three or more loose , watery or liquid stools per day . Its general causes are contaminated food and water.
Dysentry - It is generally caused by a particular type of bacteria or amoeba which can lead to severe or mild stomach cramps, fever and severe diarrhoea with blood or mucus.
Both the above mentioned diseases can be fatal if immediate medical help is not sought out for.
Image source : Evidentlycochrane.net
Type 5 - It's in the shape of soft blobs with defined edges and passes easily . You should increase the consumption of fibre through fruits vegetables & cereals.
Type 6 - The shapes are similar to fluffy pieces with ragged edges , a mushy poop. Mild diarrhoea . Drink more water & fruit juices .
Type 7 - Watery liquid without any solid pieces .
Further more the colour of our Stool also indicates our overall health . According to Mayo Clinic these colours indicate :
BROWN - This generally regarded as the normal colour of the feces/poop. The body has absorbed all the nutrients and the food has been digested well .
YELLOW - This colour indicates excess excess fat in stool , such as due to malabsorption disorder for example Celtic disease
GREEN - This colour indicates that you may have eaten diets having green colouring or ice pops /iron supplements or excess green leafy vegetables
WHITE /CLAY OR LIGHT COLOURED - This colour is generally caused by lack of biles in the stool i.e. inability of digestive system to absorb fats properly .
BLACK - This colour may be caused by consumptions of iron supplements ,bismuth subsalicylate , black licorice . It may also be caused by internal bleeding of the stomach due to cancer or ulcers. In the latter case consult doctor immediately .
RED /BRIGHT RED - It may be due to eating of foods like beets,tomato juices or soup etc (in this case , stool will return to normal colour within a day or two ) or may be due to internal bleeding caused by ulcers or even cancer . Consult doctor immediately .
Unhealthy stomach is the cause of many diseases. So in order to keep it healthy , we must eat lots of fruits and vegetables which are fresh and seasonal for the proper functioning of our digestive system . One should target eating a minimum of 30 grams of fibre per day with adequate water intake . Always wash hands before eating and always drink boiled or filtered water . Do regular exercise / meditation for minimum 30 minutes or do walking for an hour every day . Avoid junk foods like pizzas , french fries etc and colas .
Article sources : Evidentlycochrane.net
Mayoclinic.org
Continence.org.au
