Most people go to the bathroom to do their business and leave it. Have you ever take a moment to see what you left behind or flush? I bet almost nobody do this. If you’re like most people, then you need to start changing your habit, because actually, a quick look in the closet can give you a hint about your health condition.
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 hard lumps, like nuts
This is a sign that your body lack fiber and fluids. In this case, you should drink more water and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Sausage-shaped, smooth and soft
This is how normal poop should look like and it is a sign of a good health.
- Watery, no solid pieces, all liquid
This is classified as diarrhea and is usually caused by some infection. In this case, you should drink more liquids to keep your body hydrated.
- Sausage- shaped but lumpy
This is not a serious condition and you should drink more fluids and eat foods rich in fiber.
- Soft blobs with clear-cut edges
Normal, but you still need to consume more liquids.
- Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool
Still normal, but it is on the way to become diarrhea.
- Soft and sticks to the side of the toilet bowl
This means that your body does not absorb fats properly which can cause too much fat in the body. Chronic pancreatic disease can be the main reason for this condition.
- Shade of poop
- Brown
Brown is the normal color of your poop.
- Green
This means that you may have eaten a lot of green leafy vegetables or foods with green coloring.
- Yellow
This color of the poop can be a sign of excess fat in the body which occurs due to malabsorption disorder such as celiac disease.
- Black
This can be a sign of an internal bleeding, caused by certain ulcers or cancer. Also, it can be caused by supplements that contain iron or bismuth subsalicylate. Consult your doctor.
- Light colored, white or clay-colored
This can be an indication of a bile duct obstruction, or by certain medications. You should visit your doctor.
- Blood- stained or red
If you notice blood in your poop, it can be a symptom of cancer. You should immediately consult your doctor.
- Quick facts about poop
- The food you consume usually takes 1-3 days from the time you eat it till it ends up in your poop.
- Poop is made up of bacteria, undigested food, dead cells, and mucus.
- Healthy poop sinks slowly. How often should you poop?
Normally, people poop one or twice a day, but some may poop more or less.
How to keep poop healthy?
Consume foods rich in fiber (20-25g), drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.
Proper hydration is of vital importance for normal pooping.
Source: healthtipsportal.com