A Guide to Understanding Your Digestive Clues
Sacramento, Calif.- Let’s talk about poop. Everyone’s favorite topic of conversation. When you think about it, poop is like your fortune (which makes you the fortune cookie).
It’s helpful to scope out your stools before you flush them, so that you can see what they have to tell you.
First of all, we want to see stools sink, not float. If your poop floats, then it may be a sign your body may not be processing fats correctly. This can be from malabsorption and this can sometimes indicate gallbladder issues.
Regularity
Regularity of bowel movements is another sign of healthy stools. Ideally, we should pass stools 1-3 times daily. Anything less is a sign of constipation and anything more is a sign of diarrhea. If you experience constipation or diarrhea regularly, please let your doctor know.
Bristol stool chart
Well-formed stools are healthy, either sausage-shaped with cracks on the surface or snake-like and smooth are healthy (Bristol stool chart types 3 & 4). If your stools are separated, hard lumps or very lumpy sausage shaped, these are signs of constipation and dehydration. Soft, fluffy or watery stools are a sign of diarrhea and may indicate that you need electrolyte replacement. It’s normal to occasionally experience constipation or diarrhea, but if you experience either or both chronically, it’s important to work with your doctor to find out why…