Although a lot of people find it uncomfortable to talk
about their poop, it’s very important to know certain aspects of it because it
can reveal a lot about one’s well-being. Defecation is a crucial bodily
function. When there is a change in bowel movements, it may be a consequence of
changes in one’s diet; however, it could also be a sign of the body’s fight
against an infection, or, a sign of a more serious disease or condition.
The stool is around 75% water, whereas the rest is a
combination of fiber, dead and living bacteria, different cells, and mucus. A
normal poop is usually smooth and soft, elongated, and whole. The texture
should be uniform and the poop should be S-shaped. This shape comes from the
shape of the lower intestine. When it comes to healthy poop color, it is
definitely medium to light brown.
.Sausage shaped poop with lumps - this stool is very
difficult to pass and may also cause anal bleeding. The diameter is between 3
to 5 centimeters and it is common among people who suffer from IBS.
.Sausage shaped stool with cracked surface - this poop is
very similar to the previous one. The main difference is that this one is
processed faster.
.Sausage-shaped poop, smooth, and soft - this kind of poop
is normal and it’s common among people who defecate once in a day.
.Soft blobs of stool with defined edges - this type of poop
is present in people who defecate more than once per day after major meals.
.Fluffy poop with ragged and torn edges - this stool has a
soft texture and it may be a potential sign of high blood pressure and stress.
.Diarrhea type of stool - this poop is similar to ordinary
diarrhea; however, it happens in conjunction with constipation. Depending on
the odor and color, this type of poop may be showing that the body is suffering
from some disease or condition.
.Black or bright red stool - this poop is a sign of bleeding
in the GIT.
.Pale brown or white stool - this may be a symptom of
hepatitis, cirrhosis, or pancreatic disease.
.Yellow-colored poop - usually, the poop is yellow when a
person has gallbladder issues.
HYDRATE. Unless you have a renal or cardiovascular issue
that limits your water intake, most adults need to be drinking, at least, 68oz
(2L) of fluid each day. This helps to soften the stool and enables fibre to
work properly so that poop can move through your insides and evacuate easily.
USE A GOOD QUALITY PROBIOTIC. The friendly probiotic
bacteria in our gut play a big role in digestion, immune function and keeping
our intestines healthy. However, pesticides, antibiotics and many other factors
affect our probiotic populations. A probiotic supplement can help to replenish
our friendly gut bacteria and keep our digestive system happy!
FIT IN ENOUGH FIBER. There are two types of fiber that we
need in our diet; insoluble fiber is the ‘roughage’ that bulks up our stools
and ‘sweeps’ through our insides. Soluble fiber absorbs water and softens the
stool. Getting enough of both types of fiber is important for making perfect
poop!
SQUAT IT. Before artificial toilets were created, humans
once squatted to void their bowels. This position naturally compresses the
bowel walls and assists with gentle pressure to move bowel motions through.
While we don’t suggest that pooping in the wild again is by any means a
solution, propping your legs on a small stool under your toilet seat can help
to mimic this natural process.
