We all do, but for some reason many are bothered by their bowel movements and the appearance of the poop. These early warning symptoms might allude to toilet bowels, but what should you be looking for?
Once the body has absorbed all the nutrients from a delicious meal, the intestines, when functioning well, become a waste disposal unit.
Effectively rids the body of what it doesn’t need, causing a trip to the bathroom.
Health experts say it’s not always necessary to poop every day to be regular, but normal, healthy bowel movements can range from three times a day to three times a week.
But the type of poop you produce can tell you a lot about your health and could indicate serious diseases lurking in your body.
In 1997, doctors at Bristol Royal Infirmary developed a chart to help people classify the appearance of healthy stools.
Dr. Ken Heaton and Dr. Stephen Lewis developed the Bristol Stool Chart, which was published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology.
Although more recent research has questioned the usefulness of parts of the chart, it is still widely used today and respected by doctors around the world.
The chart is said to be particularly useful for people who are concerned about changes in their bowel movements and what could lead to a serious health problem.
According to the table, there are 7 different types of poop:
- Type 1: Separate hard lumps that are difficult to expel and could indicate constipation
- Type 2: Sausage-shaped with soft, bumpy bumps, which may indicate mild constipation
- Type 3: Sausage-shaped with smooth but cracked surface, indicating normal
- Type 4: smooth and soft sausage shaped without cracks, which also indicates normal
- Type 5: soft spots with well-cut edges that are easy to cross, indicating that the body may be lacking in fiber
- Type 6: Soft stools with spongy lumps and jagged edges, indicating inflammation
- Type 7: mostly liquid with no cohesive solid parts, also indicating inflammation.
A lack of fiber could mean an unhealthy digestive system, which can lead to short- and long-term health complications.
Low-fiber diets have been linked to dangers such as cancer and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Having high levels of inflammation in the body can also turn into serious health problems over time.
Some research suggests that chronic inflammation may play a role in a number of conditions, from cancer to stroke.
bowel cancer warning
Bowel cancer is an umbrella term for any cancer that develops in the large intestine.
It can also be called colon or rectal cancer.
About one in 20 people in the UK will develop bowel cancer at some point in their life, the NHS warns.
It is often diagnosed much later because the symptoms can easily be mistaken for something less serious.
Experts warn that any sudden or persistent changes in bowel movements should be a cause for concern.
Bowel cancer signs
One of the main early indicators of bowel cancer includes blood in the stool.
The color is not always bright red, but it can also be more brown, dark brown or black.
Long, thin and narrow stools, sometimes called “pencil poop,” are other changes to watch out for.
Other early symptoms include diarrhea or constipation, abdominal discomfort, a feeling that the bowels have not been completely emptied, weakness or fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Source: Dailystar
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
