Most people go to the bathroom for no.2, do their business and don’t look back. However, having a look at what you leave behind before flushing can give you a detailed look at your health and may save your life.
How well do you know your poop?
Poop is essentially what’s left from the food you consume after your body has absorbed the nutrients. It’s a vital process that removes waste from your body, and the texture and smell of your poop may tell you what’s wrong in your body.
Textures of poop
Separate lumps
Drink more water and eat more fresh vegetables. This is a clear sign of lack of fiber and fluids in the body.
Sausage-shaped poop, smooth and soft
Nothing to see here – you’re doing fine.
Liquid poop
Also called diarrhea. It’s probably caused by an infection – drink more fluids to replace the lost ones and to prevent dehydration.
Sausage-shaped, lumpy poop
It’s nothing life threatening, but you should consume more fiber and fluids.
Soft blobs with clear-cut edges
The cracks in your poop mean that you should drink more water.
Mushy stool
A mushy stool means that your poop is on its way to becoming diarrhea.
Soft poop, sticks to the side of the bowl
Your body isn’t absorbing fats properly as there’s too much oil in the system. Chronic pancreatitis may also be the cause.
Shades of poop
Brown
This is the normal color of poop due to the bile produced in the liver.
Green
The poop can turn green if you have eaten too much leafy green veggies or artificial food coloring. It also means that your food is passing through the intestine quickly.
Yellow
A yellow poop means excess fat in the body or a disorder such as celiac disease.
Black
Black poop is not a good sign – it may indicate ulcers or cancer but can also be caused by a vitamin that contains iron or bismuth subsalicylate. Visit a doctor immediately to rule out any serious conditions.
Light-colored, white or clay-colored poop
This indicates bile duct obstruction and is probably caused by some medications.
Blood-stained or red poop
This is a serious concern which needs to be addressed right away!
Quick poop facts
The food you consume needs 1-3 days to end up in your poop. Poop consists of bacteria, undigested food, dead cells and mucus. The healthy poop should sink slowly in the water.
People usually go 1-2 times a day, but it depends on a person. Generally, doctors don’t have a recommended frequency, so if you’re going every day you’re doing fine.
How to keep your poop healthy?
Eat 20-25 gr. of fiber a day, drink the recommended amount of water (6-8 glasses) and exercise regularly to have a healthy poop. Proper hydration is very important as it ensures that your colon is slippery enough for the poop to pass.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary with your poop, you should visit a doctor immediately.
Source : www.healthylifecentar.com
