Potty Talk: The Real Scoop on Poop

Kim Flores • November 8, 2024

Your feces can reveal a surprising amount about your overall health, acting as a daily check-up on how your body is functioning.



From color and consistency to frequency, each aspect provides clues about your diet, digestion, and potential health issues. Paying attention to these details can help you spot early signs of imbalance and make informed choices for your well-being.

Illustration of the Bristol Stool Form Scale, showing seven stool types with descriptions

First, lets take a look at what some of the main indicators are of healthy stool:


Color

Healthy stool is typically going to be brown due to the presence of bile, which is produced in the liver. Variations in brown can occur, but other colors might indicate issues (e.g., black or tarry stools could indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, while white or clay-colored stools might suggest a bile duct obstruction).

Consistency

The ideal stool consistency is similar to that of a banana: soft and formed but not too hard or too loose. The Bristol Stool Chart (shown above) categorizes stool into seven types, with Type 3 (like a sausage but with cracks on its surface) and Type 4 (like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft) being the most typical for healthy individuals.

Illustration of the Bristol Stool Form Scale, showing seven stool types with descriptions

First, lets take a look at what some of the main indicators are of healthy stool:


Color

Healthy stool is typically going to be brown due to the presence of bile, which is produced in the liver. Variations in brown can occur, but other colors might indicate issues (e.g., black or tarry stools could indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, while white or clay-colored stools might suggest a bile duct obstruction).

Consistency

The ideal stool consistency is similar to that of a banana: soft and formed but not too hard or too loose. The Bristol Stool Chart (shown above) categorizes stool into seven types, with Type 3 (like a sausage but with cracks on its surface) and Type 4 (like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft) being the most typical for healthy individuals.

Shape

Healthy stools are generally log-shaped and passed in one piece or a few smaller pieces. Pellet-like stools can indicate constipation, while very loose or watery stools can indicate diarrhea.


Frequency

A healthy bowel movement can vary widely among individuals. Typically, anywhere from three times a day to three times a week is considered normal, as long as the individual does not experience discomfort. It is important for everyone to know what their baseline frequency is.


Ease of Passage

Healthy stools should be passed without straining, pain, or discomfort.


Smell

While stool naturally has an unpleasant odor, particularly foul-smelling stools might indicate malabsorption or an infection.


Content

Visible mucus in stool might indicate inflammation of the intestines. Blood in stool, whether bright red or dark and tarry, should be promptly evaluated by a healthcare provider. If there is visible undigested food (aside from certain foods like corn that do not break down) this could be a clue that the intestines are not breaking down and absorbing food appropriately.


"People say love is the best feeling. But I think finding a toilet when you have diarrhea is better."


Don't forget to check your stool!


Your bowel movements can give you so much insight to your health so don't be afraid to look! If you find yourself with any of the abnormal signs that we discussed, be sure to check in with your healthcare provider.

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