What is the shape and color of healthy stool?

Stool is the digestive waste of substances that are no longer useful for the body, such as undigested food particles, bacteria, and salt. The various substances present in feces make their color, shape, consistency, and smell different.

Differences in color and shape of stool do not necessarily indicate serious conditions, but they can also be a symptom of indigestion. Check out the following reviews to find out the meaning of the color and shape of your stool.

What are the characteristics of normal stool?

Apart from the physical condition, whether a person is healthy or not can be seen from the shape and color of the stool. The stool characteristics of each person may vary, but the characteristics of healthy stool generally do not fall short of the following criteria.

Normal stool textures are as follows:

1. Brownish in color

Healthy stool has a brown to dark brown color. This color comes from a pigment (colorant) called bilirubin. Bilirubin is a substance that results from the breakdown of red blood cells as a function of the liver.

2. Has a distinctive odor

The distinctive odor of feces comes from the formation of gas by bacteria in the intestines. The high sulfur content in intestinal gas does make the stool smell strong and unpleasant, but this smell is one of the characteristics of healthy stool.

3. Soft textured

The stool of healthy people is usually shaped like a sausage because of the elongated intestine. Stool in the form of small pieces or granules can also indicate a healthy intestine, but you still need to watch for other symptoms.

4. Does not cause pain

A healthy intestine will not cause pain when you have a bowel movement. The reason is, the pressure generated by feces tends to be weak, so most people only need 10-15 minutes to defecate.

If you spend more time passing stools due to straining, you may have indigestion. This disorder may be in the form of constipation, hemorrhoids, or other health problems.

5. The frequency of normal bowel movements

The normal frequency of bowel movements is at least 3 times a week. In fact, these frequency ranges vary widely. Some people defecate once a day, but some people defecate up to 3 times a day.

However, instead of depending on the frequency, what matters is the consistency of bowel movements. If you experience changes in the smell, frequency, and color of stool than usual, this could be a problem for your health.

What do different stool colors mean?

In addition to understanding the characteristics of normal stool, you also need to know the meaning of different stool colors. Here are the colors of the stool that can be an indicator of your health.

1. Black

Black stool can indicate bleeding in the upper digestive tract. The movement of blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract to the anus takes a long time so that the blood is first oxidized. This process turns the blood dark in color.

However, blackened stool can also occur in healthy people. This usually occurs due to consumption of iron supplements, licorice , and bismuth drugs. If you experience it for more than two weeks, consult a doctor immediately.

2. White

If the stool is white, gray, or pale, this is a sign that someone has problems with the liver or bile system. In addition, pale stool color can also be caused by the consumption of several types of anti-diarrheal drugs.

3. Green

In healthy people, stool discoloration to green can be caused by consuming large amounts of green vegetables. In addition, the green color can also indicate that the stool contains more bile salts than bilirubin.

4. Red

Beet consumption, berries red, tomatoes, and other red fruit in large quantities can turn stool red. However, if you experience this condition for no apparent reason, it could be that the cause is bleeding.

Red stool due to bleeding indicates that blood is coming from the lower digestive tract such as the large intestine, rectum, and anus. Bleeding may occur as a result of colon polyps, hemorrhoids, or in serious cases, colorectal cancer.

5. Orange

Your stool can turn orange if you eat foods rich in beta carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and oranges. However, bile duct problems or the consumption of antacid drugs and rifampicin antibiotics can also be the cause.

6. Yellow

If the color of the stool appears yellow or oily, it means that the stool contains too much fat. This may be the result of absorption problems or a disruption in the production of digestive enzymes or bile in your body.

How to find out how normal the stool is

One of the best methods to determine your health condition is by examining your stool. Even so, there are also other ways that you can do independently and are simpler, namely by using a scale bristol stool .

Scale bristol stool is a simple measurement method for recognizing the seven features of human feces. This chart is the result of the findings of a British doctor after conducting a study of bowel habits in nearly 2,000 people.

With this scale, you can determine whether your stool is classified as healthy or not. The criteria are as follows.

• Type 1: The appearance of stool is separated and hard. This is a sign that you are constipated.
• Type 2: The stool looks like a sausage which is denser and thicker. This is a sign of a mild constipation problem.
• Type 3: The stool looks like a sausage, but there are cracks on the surface. This form of stool is considered normal and indicates that the body is in good health.
• Type 4: Stool-like sausage, but softer and more contagious. This tends to be normal.
• Type 5: The appearance of stool is like soft lumps with clear edges. This indicates that you are consuming less fiber.
• Type 6: Stool consistency tends to flabby irregularly. This indicates that you have mild diarrhea.
• Type 7: The consistency of the stool tends to be liquid without any solid pieces, meaning that you have severe diarrhea.

When should I see a doctor?

Changes in the frequency and texture of stool should not be underestimated. Especially if your stool turns reddish or black with a texture like coffee grounds. The reason is, these two things indicate the potential for bleeding.

If you have this condition for a few days, seek medical help to prevent significant blood loss. The doctor will likely recommend tests such as an endoscopy or colonoscopy if disease is suspected.

In order to maintain normal bowel function, it is recommended that you adopt a healthy lifestyle. For example, by increasing the consumption of fibrous foods, regular exercise, managing stress, and drinking water to avoid dehydration.

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