Lets face it, talking about poop and anything having to do with your bowels can be slightly uncomfortable.
To allay these concerns, just remember what the decades-old children’s book tells us: Everyone poops.
Plus, were supposed to be adults, remember?
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What is normal poop anyway?
When it comes to poop there is not a universally accepted standard for what is considered normal.
Everyones “normal” is different.
The idea that pooping daily is a requirement for good health is a myth, says Dr. Balzora.
Medical professionals use something called the Bristol Chart to classify bowel movements.
The chart identifies seven categories, or types.
Generally, youre looking for a punch in 3 or 4 range, says Dr. Balzora.
Theyre soft and formed, and easy to pass without the need to strain.
If you have a hardened stool or separated lumps, this indicates constipation.
Fiber is like a sponge that expands to help firm up loose stools, she says.
In some cases, color changes can indicate something more serious.
Medicines like Kaopectate can sometimes cause pale and clay-colored stools.
This is common with liver diseases like hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Lets say you poop (or pee) a tint of red.
Before you panic, think about what you’ve eaten recently.
This can color both your urine and your poop for up to two days after consuming them.
This definitely warrants a visit to the doctor.
If you notice yellow poop that floats, you might have issues digesting fat.
Yellow, greasy and fatty stools may indicate chronic pancreatitis or celiac disease, says Dr. Inra.
Chronic diarrhea that becomes bloody is a key indicator of ulcerative colitis.
Emerging science shows that the range of bacteria in the gut may have implications for a range ofhealth conditions.
Clearly, there’s a lot more to your number two than you might have realized.
Next time, take a closer look before you flush all that information down the toilet.
