Yes, you read the title correctly. This post is about what everyone does and what few people like to talk about.
In case you didn’t know, the color of feces can tell a lot about the health of the body and the foods that are being consumed. Is it human nature to look or do most people just flush it down? If you’re one that doesn’t notice the color of your poo, you may want to start.
Dr. Steve from Sirius Radio and Men’s Health recently discussed what the color of your poo can say about you and your health.
- Black- This could indicate bleeding in your upper digestive tract (stomach or above) which results in the blood being processed by the stomach and small intestine that turns it black in color. However, occasional black stool can result from eating spinach, licorice, or blueberries as well as from iron supplements and Pepto Bismol. See a doctor if it’s more than occasional.
- Red- This can indicate bleeding from the lower digestive tract as the blood hasn’t been processed. Some red stools can be caused by red food coloring and beets, but suspected bleeding should be reported to a doctor.
- Gray or Yellow- This could indicate problems with your gall bladder as it is bile that actually turns poo brown in color. Have this checked out by a doctor. Aluminum based antacids can also cause light colored stool.
- Green- I guess this could be the target color, because greenish brown stool indicates that you’re eating plenty of vegetables, however, bright blue food coloring can also produce green poo as it mixes with the yellow bile to produce the color green.
Sorry for the “bathroom talk” post, but checking your poo is a good thing to do, especially when it comes to keeping an eye on what’s going on inside and into your body.
One of the most useful resources is the Bristol Stool Scale – developed by the University of Bristol.
Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, with 3 and 4 being the “ideal stools” especially the latter, as they are the easiest to defecate, and 5-7 tending towards diarrhoea.
Probably the best thing is to get a stool test, like I did, at one’s physical. Last year, I didn’t notice anything about it and a stool test indicated blood and then I got a Colonoscopy and two polyps were removed. Sometimes the blood is microscopic and therefore the naked eye cannot spot it. This year, no blood was found in the test- therefore I won’t need another colonoscopy this year. I doubt if this test is all that expensive, as my doctor can run the results at his office- anyway at least I didn’t need to pay extra than my copay for this test. That is no guarantee that anyone else might not pay a lot for this test- but surely it is far less expensive than a colonoscopy.
I didn’t pay enough attention to my poop before except when I’m having a diarrhea . It’s good to know though. I think I’ll start paying attention to it from now on.
Good to know mine’s “ideal stool”. Just saved a trip to the doctor!whew!
Yeah, all the time. I’m a pro pooper. Mine are generally nice and brown and a type 3 on the little poo hardness chart. If it’s ever different, I definitely take notice.
And you didn’t even get to the problems that might be indicated by the variations in smell.
TMI! TMI!
Ha ! I need to see a Doctor …..Not good !
I’m glad I’ve already had lunch today because that would have killed my appetite!