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When we talk about our stool, it’s not the most pleasant topic for conversation.
But the fact is that how our stool looks is important.
Stool
Our bodies are complex mechanisms that we can take poor care of. Increased temperature, pain, fatigue and depression are clear signs that a health problem may arise, and your stool can warn you in time that not everything is okay. Therefore you should view your stool as an opportunity to diagnose possible health problems early.
Possible health problems
Reading tea leaves or coffee grounds can give you some insight into how wealthy you are, but it may not always be accurate. However, analysis of your stool is precise.
So let’s look at how you can examine your health yourself from your stool.
Types of stool
The color of stool, its consistency, size and its smell are all signs that point to your internal health. The method by which you will be able to examine your stool is called Bristol Stool Chart (BSF). It was invented by scientists from the Bristol Royal Infirmary in the UK.
Perfect stool
Who would have thought that having a perfect stool is a sign that your internal health is in good order. An average stool contains:
- Water (approximately 75%)
- Solid matter (approximately 25%)
The so-called solid matter can be divided into:
- Dead bacteria
- Indigestible components from food (fiber and cellulose)
- Cholesterol
- Other fatty substances
The exact shape and appearance of your stool will vary depending on what you ate and drank. The whole process of stool formation takes approximately 18 to 72 hours. According to the Bristol Stool Chart the best stool types are 3, 4 and 5.
When you have diarrhea, it’s because the stool is processed quickly and your intestines didn’t have time to absorb enough water for the stool to be normal.
At the other end of the scale, the inability to produce stool within 72 hours is a sign of constipation, which may be related to other health problems.
Stool type 1 – Small, hard, lumpy stool
This type of stool may be a sign of acute dysbacteriosis of the intestinal tract. Because certain bacteria are missing in the gut, the stool is small and unable to retain water.
The lumps of stool are small, firm and rough, averaging 1 to 2 cm.
Because they are firm and somewhat rough, they can cause pain during passage through the bowel. Such stool can cause anal bleeding.
It is typical for people who have undergone antibiotic treatment, or for those who have little fiber in their intestines, or consume a diet without fiber.
Stool type 2 – Sausage-shaped stool with lumps
This stool has a diameter of 3 to 4 cm and often appears as a result of constipation, when it remains in the intestine for several weeks.
When passing through the bowel it causes pain and can even result in bleeding, because it is so firm and its size exceeds the anal opening.
This type of stool is typical for someone who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome.
Stool type 3 – Sausage-shaped stool with cracked surface
This type of stool is similar to type 2, but is processed more quickly (usually 1 to 2 weeks), and is therefore also associated with constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
Stool type 4 – sausage-shaped stool, soft and smooth
This type of stool is very close to perfect stool. Its diameter is 1 to 2 cm (which is a sign of a relatively short transit time and good fiber content).
This type of stool is typical for someone who has a bowel movement once a day.
Stool type 5 – Soft stool with well-defined edges
This type of stool is almost perfect. Its diameter is 1 to 1.5 cm and it is typical for someone who has a bowel movement 2 to 3 times a day after consuming main meals.
Stool type 6 – Soft stool with sharp, ragged edges
This type of stool has a very soft texture. It can occur unexpectedly, causing problems for people if they don’t have a bathroom nearby.
You may have trouble cleaning it with toilet paper. A bidet would be useful in this case. This type signals high blood pressure and stress.
Stool type 7 – diarrheal type – loose
It is similar to ordinary diarrhea, but in this case it is called paradoxical diarrhea because it occurs in conjunction with constipation, accompanied by type 1 stool. Children and elderly people often encounter it.
Stool color
Just like the size, shape and consistency of stool, the color of stool can also be a significant sign of various health problems.
Normal healthy stool (or one that does not indicate any health problem) has a medium/light brown color.
- Black, gray, or bright red stool:Is a sign that bleeding may be present in the intestinal tract or in the rectum. We recommend that you consult your doctor without delay. However, we note that black stool can be the result of taking certain medications, various dietary supplements, and can also appear after consuming black licorice.
- Very light brown, gray, or white stool:This unusual stool coloration can be caused by a lack of bile, although white stool can be the result of taking antacids. However, these types of stool may signal health problems such as cirrhosis, hepatitis or pancreatic disease. These are all serious illnesses, and therefore you should seek medical attention immediately.
- Yellow-colored stool:Yellow-colored stool can be a sign of gallbladder disease, gallbladder infection or Gilbert’s syndrome (an inherited disorder of bile pigment metabolism). If yellow stool appears, you should consult your doctor.
Foul-smelling stool
Regardless of how you examine your stool, it should not have an odor. But it also should not smell too strongly, because foul-smelling stool signals:
- Malabsorption
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Pancreatitis
- Cystic fibrosis
