Answers To 9 Embarrassing Poop Questions

May 30, 2018

We all have those rather embarrassing questions about the state of our bowel movements. While the topic of poop can be embarrassing and gross, it really shouldn’t be! Your bowel movements can actually be a rather important indicator of your current health.

You’re in the right place for the answers to all of those poop questions you have been too shy to ask about! And remember, your doctor has seen and heard it all- don’t hesitate if you think you have an issue that needs medical treatment. 

In the meantime, read on for the nine most commonly asked questions concerning poop! 
 

The amount of times you move your bowels depends on many factors, such as activity, diet, illness and more, according to Rudolph Bedford, MD. Generally, most people have a bowel movement every day, although some may experience them every two to three days. Some people experience a bowel movement a couple of times a day, also normal! 

There is nothing wrong with some odor, according to Edward M. Brettholz, MD. Don’t stress out just because it smells really bad. Your colon has “good” bacteria that mixes with various gases to create a unique, if not bad, odor.

Don’t panic at the sight of a little blood. More often than not the cause is hemorrhoids, a very common issue where the anus tears a bit due to hard stools. However, blood can also be a sign of rectal cancer if it continues. Talk to your doctor about getting a colon exam to rule out this issue if you are concerned or the bleeding worsens.

Bedford states that constipation is a common sign of many different things, such as an unhealthy diet, medications, lack of proper fluid intake, poor exercise habits, and more. Eating healthy, exercising and drinking enough fluids can help get things going but if not, talk to your doctor to make sure something serious isn’t going on in your body. 

According to Brettholz, colonics aren’t proven to be helpful and can actually damage your colon. You need the bacteria in your colon as it is beneficial to your overall health. This is known as “good” bacteria and helps keep our balances in check, so skip the trendy splurge. 

Hard stools usually indicate constipation. You need to up your water consumption and aim for more fiber in your diet. Loose stools may be a sign of IBS, infection, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, Celiac disease, and more, according to Brettholz.

Brettholz says that some undigested food in your stool is normal. For example, we see corn in its most natural state because it is made of cellulose, which our bodies do not digest properly.

Don’t panic! You probably have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a treatable disease that many people deal with on a daily basis. Talk to your primary care physician about ways to manage IBS that will prevent any accidents in the future.

You could be bleeding from your stomach or your duodenum, according to Brettholz. However, if you have taken medication such as Pepto Bismol or iron pills, this could cause your poop to be temporarily black. 

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!

As you can see, there are many answers to your embarrassing poop questions that you have been hiding for so long! Did this answer your questions? Let us know what you think in the comments below!