The digestive system is key to health, and one of the easiest ways to gauge your digestion is via your bowel movements. Most people won’t give them much thought, but the stool’s color, shape, consistency, and frequency of occurrence will all give a person clues on how well their gut is functioning. A person’s stool can be an early warning sign of any problems a person may encounter in the digestive system, whether that be digestive disorders, issues absorbing nutrients, or a more serious condition. In this article, we will discuss in detail about bowel movements and when they can indicate gut health diseases.
Normal Bowel Movements
A normal stool is generally well-formed, brown in color, and easy to pass with minimal to no straining. In terms of frequency, bowel movement habits will vary from person to person. Some people go once a day, while others go one or three times a week or more.
What Changes in Bowel Movements Could Mean
- Constipation
Constipation is typically hard, dry, and infrequent stools, which suggests a lack of normal bulk, which could mean that a person is dehydrated, not eating enough fiber, or not moving enough. Chronic constipation may indicate lifestyle factors, but also low levels of thyroid hormone, IBS, or obstruction (blockage) in the bowel.
- Diarrhea
According to gut health doctors near me, watery (loose) stools, with or without blood, every day probably indicate food intolerance and potentially some infections or sickness. If someone has diarrhea for more than a couple of days, especially if they can’t keep fluid down (vomiting), they need to be cautious for dehydration and loss of nutrition.
- Blood in Stools
Often, when a person has blood in their stools, either red streaks or black, it usually causes concern. The last thing they want to do is panic, but bleeding may occur due to either hemorrhoids or fissures in the anal cavity, which typically look more like red streaks. However, larger amounts of blood may signal bleeding in the gut and/or stomach.
- Changes in Color
According to gut health doctors near me, brown is normal, but even color can reflect issues that potentially indicate an underlying illness that is going on in the body. Liver or gallbladder issues tend to present as pale or clay colored stools, therefore specific dietary triggers can also alter stool color especially in the case of green stools (movement of food through the gut is often too fast since it doesn’t have to be a triggered reaction), and whatever a person eats can alter both the number, consistency and appearance of their stools.
- Bloating or gas
Sometimes, if there are changes in the frequency of stools, along with frequent bloating, excessive amounts of gas (burping or farting), or abdominal discomfort, it may indicate either lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, gut infection, or untreatable conditions that will require consultation from a doctor.
If you are looking for the best gastroenterology doctors near me, or the best stomach specialist near me, Sohana Hospital might just be the right option for you. Sohana Hospital, Mohali, is home to the world’s most advanced technology and North India’s most trusted and experienced Gastroenterologists who provide the most comprehensive and holistic treatment for all gut health-related issues of the patients in the region. Book your appointment today and take the first step towards a happier and healthier future!