Believe it or not, we shouldn’t flush our feces down the toilet without a second thought. In fact, stool is a reflection of a number of things that are going on inside us and an indicator of how healthy our gut is. We are very familiar with concepts such as the consistency and color of feces, but there are many other things that we must take into account if we want to be aware of our health in regards to this area.
Click through this gallery and find out what your stool says regarding you.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
water safety
Sudden diarrhea, especially when accompanied by bloating, nausea, and cramps, can indicate a Giardia infection. You can ingest these microscopic parasites through untreated water.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Effort
If you have to strain a lot when you go to the bathroom, you may have constipation.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Effort
Keep in mind that overexerting yourself can cut off the oxygen supply to your brain and can even cause you to pass out.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Regular
However, if you comfortably go to the bathroom once a day, you’re absolutely fine!
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Grain of corn
If you’ve ever wondered why they appear in your poop, it’s because of the cellulose. Our bodies do not digest it and therefore expel it.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Cleaning
Having to wipe yourself just a couple of times usually means your stool is the right consistency.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Cleaning
And it also means that the sphincter is closing properly, as it should. So cleaning once or twice usually means that everything is fine.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
snake-shaped feces
It’s important to look at your stool so you can get an idea of its shape, size, and consistency. If it’s similar to a snake, then you’re fine (not an anaconda though…).
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Sausage-shaped stool
Another good reference for detecting healthy stools is a sausage with cracks.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Pebble-shaped stools
If, on the other hand, you look down the toilet and see what look like pebbles, then it’s a sign of constipation. In the absence of any other issues causing constipation, increase your water and fiber intake, and you should be back on track.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
pencil shaped stool
Thin stools can also be a sign of constipation. In the worst cases, it is also a sign of colon cancer. When in doubt, get yourself checked out.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Yellow
The stools should be brown. They can be different shades of brown, but brown nonetheless. Yellow stools can be a sign of an infection, a gallbladder problem, or even a liver disorder like Gilbert’s syndrome.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Blanco
White stools can be a sign of a liver problem. This can occur when bile from the liver cannot reach the gastrointestinal tract.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Verde
And if you have explosive diarrhea that looks like green algae, get tested for a Clostridioides difficile infection. It’s a treatable bacterial infection, but it’s definitely not fun.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Negro
Black is also not a good sign. It can indicate a problem in the upper digestive tract or even a bleeding ulcer.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Negro
But not everything is bad. Things like the antacid Pepto-Bismol can turn your stools black.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
blue and violet
Blue or purple stools can be caused by a variety of foods, including some cookies, cakes, and even Burger King’s Black Halloween Whoppers.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Gluten
If your hydration is adequate and you have loose stools, especially following eating gluten-rich foods, you may need to be tested for celiac disease.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Colitis ulcerosa
Needless to say, urgent (and constant) bloody diarrhea is not a good sign. A chronic inflammatory disease called ulcerative colitis might be to blame, but it’s always best to see your doctor.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease (a type of inflammatory bowel disease) can cause bloody stools. So do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you detect any trace of blood when you go to the bathroom.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
It’s not always serious
Red stools do not always mean there is blood in them. For example, if you eat beets, your stool may turn red.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
incomplete evacuation
If you have to go once more soon, this might be a sign of constipation or, in fact, something like irritable bowel syndrome.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Steatorrhea
If your stools are particularly fatty, you may be experiencing a symptom called steatorrhea, which is essentially the result of fat malabsorption. It can be related to multiple conditions, so it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Stinks
It’s a fact, but if it has a really foul smell, then it might be a sign that something is wrong. If it continues like this, get yourself checked out as it may be related to an infection or disease.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Mariko Aoki Phenomenon
Have you ever walked into a bookstore, smelled a new book, and suddenly felt the need to go to the bathroom? You may be suffering from the Mariko Aoki phenomenon, an expression named following the writer who first mentioned it in an article in 1985.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Mucus
All stools have mucus, although most of it is not visible as a thick layer. Excess mucus can indicate that something is wrong, that is, that you are constipated or dehydrated.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
Poop floating is not good
If your stool floats, it may be a sign that you have excess fat in your poop. This may be a sign that your intestine is not absorbing all the ingredients that it normally should.
Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you buy something using the recommended links on this page.
food bits
If you constantly see bits of food in your stool, be sure to slow down the next time you eat. Take your time to chew food properly and this will facilitate digestion.
