Everyone poops. It’s a well-known children’s book but also a fact of life. However, there are numerous types of stool that are indicators of your bowel health.
Understanding your stool
The Bristol Stool Chart helps people and their doctors understand how food is traveling through the digestive system. It sorts stools into seven categories based on appearance and texture. Stools are numbered 1 to 7, from hardest to loosest.
Constipation
Types 1 and 2 on the Bristol Stool Chart mean you may be constipated. Your poop could be hard, separate lumps or it could be sausage-shaped but lumpy.
“In most cases, constipation is not serious,” said Kayleigh Gospodarek, Marshfield Clinic Health System gastroenterology physician assistant. “It can be a sign of underlying disease or a side effect from medication.”
To prevent constipation, Gospodarek recommends:
- Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber
- Drink plenty of water
- Exercise regularly
- Take time to have a bowel movement when you need to
Diarrhea
Types 6 and 7 on the Bristol Stool Chart mean you have diarrhea. It might look like fluffy pieces with ragged edges or a mushy stool. Sometimes it’s entirely liquid.
“Diarrhea that lasts several weeks can be a sign of a chronic problem,” said Gospodarek. “This is when you’d want to see a doctor, even if your symptoms sometimes come and go.”
The most common causes of diarrhea are:
- Bacteria from something you ate or drank
- Viruses such as norovirus or rotavirus
- Medicines such as antibiotics or cancer drugs
- Food intolerances or sensitivities
- Diseases that impact the stomach, small intestine or colon
- Problems with how the colon functions, such as irritable bowel syndrome
Healthy stool
Types 3 and 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart showcase healthy stool. The shape is like a sausage and it may be smooth or have some cracks. Type 5 isn’t far off. It includes soft blobs. This means you need a little more fiber in your diet.
“Healthy stool should be medium-brown and easy to pass,” said Gospodarek. “Don’t worry too much about frequency. Some people go to the bathroom several times a day, while others may only have a bowel movement three times a week. These are all normal.”
Your primary care provider is a great resource for bowel pattern questions. Gospodarek especially recommends reaching out if your patterns suddenly change, if you notice blood in the toilet, you have persistent narrow stools or are consistently waking up at night to have a bowel movement.
For questions about stool, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.
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