What your poop tells you about your health

We all poop. Still, it can be a little embarrassing to talk about it. But you should bring it up with your doctor if your bathroom routine or stool changes in an unusual way.

It can be a signal that you’re not drinking enough water, not eating enough fiber-rich foods or that something even more serious is happening.

What does normal poop look like?

Nature calls for many people every morning, but when and how often you have a bowel movement can vary. During a bathroom break, you should be able to pass stools within a few minutes and without pain.

A normal bowel movement looks like the poop emoji you see in a text. It is a medium to dark brown cylinder-shaped stool that stays intact when flushed. 

What does normal poop smell like?

An unpleasing odor is typical, but poop shouldn’t make your eyes water. An intense, foul smell can be caused by an internal infection or your body’s inability to process certain nutrients.

Your poop’s appearance

Your stool is mostly water, undigested food and dead bacteria. A combination of stomach bile and bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down, gives your waste its color and look. How slowly or quickly waste moves through your system can affect the color and consistency of what you see during a bathroom break. A stool that isn’t the typical brownish color could be easy to explain. However, if it shows up for a few trips to the bathroom, it could be a reason to check with your doctor.

Why would my poop be red?

A red stool might be as simple as having eaten a red-colored food like beets. It can also be caused by menstruation, hemorrhoids or constipation. At its most serious, a red stool can be a symptom of inflammation or an infection in your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bowels or stomach.

Why is my poop black?

If your stool is black, it may also be connected to food, like a recent snack of black licorice or blueberries. A black stool could be a side effect of taking an iron supplement. However, black stool can also signal bleeding or tumors in your intestinal tract. If you have an unexplained black stool, you should see a doctor.

What if my poop is yellow?

A light-colored stool with a yellow tint can mean that you’re eating too much fat. But it can also be a sign that there’s an issue with your liver, pancreas or gallbladder being able to get nutrients from digestion.

What if my poop is green?

Green poop can mean you’re getting lots of leafy vegetables like spinach, which is part of a healthy diet. On the other hand, artificial colors in processed foods and drinks can also turn your stool green. This color can also be a signal that your food isn’t moving too quickly through your digestive system.

What if my poop is gray or white?

A chalky look to stool might be caused by medicine, including one used for treating diarrhea. But a gray or white color can also mean that there’s something wrong with your body’s bile production or the duct where bile is stored.

When should I see a doctor?

Most people poop every 1 to 3 days. Others may go No. 2 a few times a day. Instead of focusing on how often you poop, pay attention to what is normal for you — that includes occasional bouts of diarrhea or constipation.

If the color, shape or texture of your stool changes drastically and remains that way, it could mean something’s not right.

If any of these symptoms last for more than a few days, it can indicate something’s wrong:

• constipation or diarrhea
• red, black or pale stools
• stomach pain
• indigestion
• unintentional weight loss
• stinky stools that float.

A primary care doctor can help with questions about these symptoms. Your doctor may also refer you to a gastroenterologist, a medical specialist who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the GI tract. This includes the stomach, liver, small intestine, large intestine and rectum. 

The Bristol Stool Chart

Doctors use the Bristol Stool Form Scale to help identify stool variations. The chart’s seven categories range from hard stools to soft, loose stools. The chart also identifies the color and consistency of poop. The chart can be broken into three main categories:

Hard stools

These are represented in types 1 and 2 on the chart. They are too hard and dry, making them difficult to pass. These stools can be a sign of constipation.

Soft stools

These examples are types 3 and 4 on the chart. They pass easily and hold their shape when flushed. They are normal, healthy stools.

Loose stools

Types 5, 6 and 7 on the chart show loose stools. They consist of soft materials that don’t hold together. These stools can indicate a lack of fiber in a diet or an underlying bowel problem.

It can be helpful to review the stool chart before seeing your doctor, so you accurately describe your issue.

How to keep your poops healthy

A healthy lifestyle can make it easier to ensure your No. 2s are no big deal. Here are some tips to keep your digestive system running smoothly:

• Eat fiber-rich foods. Choose a variety of colorful foods including fruits, vegetables and legumes. Find ways to increase fiber in meals, including with this black bean soup recipe.
• Drink plenty of water. Most people need about eight, 8-ounce glasses of water every day to keep their body’s systems working well. Follow these tips to help you stay hydrated.
• Find ways to move. Regular exercise helps keep your digestive system activated and can defend against constipation and stool irregularity.
• Get regular colonoscopies. This test gives a doctor an inside look at your digestive system and is the most accurate exam for early colon cancer detection.