Everyone Poops

Everyone Poops

Let's talk about a topic everyone has some experience with.  Everyone poops...there is a children's book about it and, if you eat, you should probably have little effort with this functionally important activity. This topic is often avoided maybe due to the perception of filth and foul odor but your poo, excrement, feces, whatever you choose to call it, can be an important indicator for health.

Ideally, when your feces leaves your body it is of a consistent gauge (diameter), not too skinny, is soft, fluffy and light brown in color. Color can change depending on the food you consume. One great example would be avoiding panic if you have eaten beets; that is not blood it is just the beets. Ideal bowel movements are facilitate by a healthy diet which includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber in the diet, as well as being well hydrated. When your bowel movements deviate from the ideal, especially for prolonged periods of time, it can be very beneficial to your health to explore why it is abnormal.

Constipation and/or dehydration, in addition to other symptoms, can cause the poo to come out in small hard turds rather than the ideal long soft cable.  

Awkward shaped feces or feces that is concave on one side may indicate some type of obstruction in the bowels. You should consider talking to your doctor about this, especially if other symptoms (pain, discomfort, difficulty with elimination) are present.

Black or very dark brown stool may indicate bleeding and/or inflammation higher up in the GI tract while red or bloody stool often indicates some type of bleeding or fissure close to the anus or may indicate a hemorrhoid.  If off color stool persists for more than a day or two, it is recommended that you consult your doctor.

Your doctors at Gallatin Valley Chiropraactic are happy to have discussion regarding any of your health concerns and can offer nutritional counselling to support your health but real exploration into GI and bowel movement dysfunction are better suited for your medical professional. Please feel free to ask questions or to ask for advice from your doctor at your next appointment at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic.

406-551-2177