0393251511
info@pelvichealth.melbourne
What should my poo look like?
Although everyone has their own unique size, shape and smell, there are a few things that can indicate a healthy (or unhealthy) poo.
Poo is mostly just undigested food, proteins, bacteria, salts, and other substances that are produced and released by our intestines.
A question many find too embarrassing to ask, so we'll answer it as best we can here.
Firstly, what exactly is poo?
Poo is mostly just undigested food, proteins, bacteria, salts, and other substances that are produced and released by our intestines. Although everyone has their own unique size, shape and smell, there are a few things that can indicate a healthy (or unhealthy) poo.
What should healthy poo look like?
During your bowel assessment, your physio will ask you about the colour, shape, size, consistency, frequency (how often) and duration (how long) of your poo.
You will be shown a copy of the Bristol stool (poo) chart. This chart was developed in 1997 as a clinical assessment tool and makes poo knowledge basic and easy to understand. There are seven types of stools according to the chart.
Type 1:
Appearance: Hard and separate little lumps that look like nuts and are hard to pass.
Indicates: These little pellets typically mean you’re constipated. It shouldn’t happen frequently.
Type 2:
Appearance: Log-shaped but lumpy.
Indicates: Another sign of constipation that shouldn’t happen frequently.
Type 3:
Appearance: Log-shaped with some cracks on the surface.
Indicates: This is the gold star of poo, especially if it’s somewhat soft and easy to pass.
Type 4:
Appearance: Smooth and snake-like.
Indicates: Also considered a normal poo that should happen every 1 to 3 days.
Type 5:
Appearance: Small, like the first ones, but soft and easy to pass; the blobs also have clear cut edges.
Indicates: This type of poo means you’re lacking fibre and should find ways to add some to your diet through cereal or vegetables.
Type 6:
Appearance: Fluffy and mushy with ragged edges.
Indicates: This too-soft consistency could be a sign of mild diarrhea. Try drinking more water and electrolyte-infused beverages to help improve this.
Type 7:
Appearance: Completely watery with no solid pieces.
Indicates: In other words, you’ve got the runs, or diarrhea. This means your stool moved through your bowels very quickly and didn’t form into a healthy poo.
So, how often should you poo?
It’s common to poo once a day, although it’s still normal to be more or less often. Being regular really means that soft yet well-formed bowel motions are easily passed and that this happens anywhere from 1–3 times a day to 3 times a week.
If you unexpectedly poo at the wrong time or in the wrong place, you may be experiencing poor bowel control, or faecal incontinence. You may also pass wind (fart) when you don't want to.
Poor bowel control is more common than you think. About 1 in 20 people experience poor bowel control and it affects both men and women. It's more common as you get older, but young people can also have poor bowel control. In some cases, people with poor bowel control also have poor bladder control and may leak urine (urinary incontinence).
Medication, vitamin supplements, pregnancy, dehydration, stress and diet can all play a big role in your poo changing from what you know is "normal".
We're here to help!
If you have any concerns about the appearance of your poo, frequency or experiencing pain when using your bowels, please book an appointment with one of our award-winning physiotherapists.
More from the blog
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live, the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.