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Our body has developed a list of warning indicators. The signals they emit tell you that something is wrong with your body. One of these signals is stool. Although this topic is very sensitive for many, the color, shape and smell of your stool are a common sign of digestive tract problems.
First, let’s say how your morning bowel movement should look. Healthy intestines mean a sausage-like shape without surface defects. The stool’s texture should be smooth and its passage should not cause you any trouble.
Pay attention to color and shape
Differences in stool shape are often caused by an intolerance to a certain type of food. If your stool is soft and thin, it is often due to a food allergy, but it can also signal more serious problems such as pancreatitis or Addison’s disease.
Also pay attention to defecation. It should not involve pain in the rectal area or bleeding from the anus. Hard and lumpy stool often signals problems in the small intestine or irritable bowel syndrome. Sometimes it is also caused by antibiotics.
White stool indicates cirrhosis
Ideally, stool is typically brown. Any deviations are usually caused by changes in diet. However, they often also signal problems in the intestinal tract.
- Light brown to white stool – signals jaundice, liver cirrhosis and problems with the pancreas
- Yellow stool – indicates problems with the urinary bladder and poor absorption of fluids
- Black and bright red stool – generally indicates blood in the intestines, but is often caused by excessive consumption of foods containing blood, beetroot and blueberries
An unpleasant odor is also a sign of a poorly functioning digestive tract. Defecation is not a fragrant activity, but a strong odor often suggests that you have problems with insufficient nutrient absorption, or may indicate pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.
