April 2025
THE SCOOP ON POOP
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know but were too embarrassed to ask.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who are fine with poop talk and those who really are not. But an essential truth about the stuff cannot be ignored: It happens. And because your waste can tell you a lot about your overall health, and because we know you have questions, we took (fecal) matters into our own hands and threw the experts some questions.
What Should My Poop Look Like? If you’ve been to a gastroenterologist, you may have seen the Bristol Stool Form Scale, with illustrations that classify stool into 7 types based on consistency. They range from type 1 (separate lumps, like nuts; hard to pass to type 7 (no hard pieces, entirely liquid). The consensus is that type 4 is the goal. It’s soft and smooth, like a sausage or a snake. One physician compares it to soft-serve ice cream in consistency, diameter, and ease of passage. For people wondering what’s normal when it comes to color, there is no simple answer. In fact, it’s more important to know what poop shouldn’t look like. It shouldn’t be red, black, or white. Pay attention to any sign of blood. Black and tarlike can often mean bleeding coming from your upper GI tract. Red can be fresh blood from your lower GI tract, or perhaps you’ve eaten a lot of beets. White can be a sign of infection or an underlying medical issue. There is also rare green poop. Green indicates there is a substance called biliverdin in your stool. This just means that the stool quickly passed through the GI tract so there was less time for gut bacteria to change the biliverdin from green to brown. It could be no big deal (maybe it’s diarrhea or maybe you ate something green), but it might signal a viral or bacterial infection. If it lasts more than a day or two, talk with your doctor.
Does Mine Smell Worse Than Other People’s? No one’s smell like Chanel No. 5! To a certain extent, you really are what you eat. The smell is based on the composition of your gut microbiota, the good and bad bacteria. It’s also a combination of your intake of food and medications. A one-time bowel movement with a funkier-than-usual stink is most likely a reflection of what you ingested. If you ate a large serving of cruciferous vegetables, like arugula or broccoli, you may notice a smell. It’s not bad! It’s a result of your body metabolizing sulfur, an essential dietary nutrient. That said, if you produce poops with really foul smells for more than 48 hours, or if you notice a metallic scent, contact your doctor. It could be linked to an infection or other medical condition.
How Often Should I Be Going? Anything from three times a day to three times a week is normal. Everyone is different. It’s all about what is normal for you. If there is no discomfort or pain, or significant change in size, you should be fine.
How Long Does It Take for Food to Move Through Me? Longer than you might think. After all, our intestines measure at least 15 feet in length. Food typically spends 2-6 hours in the stomach, four to six hours in the small intestine, and 24-48 hours in the colon before exiting as stool. Why the ranges? It varies based on things like diet, hydration, and activity level.
What is the Best Way to Deal with Uncomfortable Constipation? You know this one: Eat more fiber, which absorbs water, adds bulk and softens poop, making it easier to push out. It’s startling how little dietary fiber many people in the U.S. consume. One study found that only about 7 out of 100 adults eat enough fiber. The recommended amount is 25-40 grams per day depending on total calories consumed. So don’t forget your raspberries, artichokes, oats, and beans! And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Water helps keep your poop soft and easy to pass. Most individuals should be consuming 2-3 liters of plain water per day in addition to other liquids you may consume. Sparkling water may account for 12-24 oz of your total water intake, but no more. Remember that chugging from your Stanley isn’t the only way to hydrate. Foods like watermelon, cucumbers and soup are also a great way to reach your daily goal. Take a brisk walk too; a little motion helps move the contents of your bowels. If you’re still on the struggle bus, try an over-the-counter stool softener (Colace or generic), which helps soften the stool to keep it moving.
Why Do I Get Backed Up Every Time I Travel? Maybe you’re shy about pooping in a hotel bathroom that is way too close to your travel companion reading in bed. Maybe the toilet just feels a lot different from your own turf. Travel constipation typically results from a change in routine. You may normally go in the morning but if you move time zones the urge can come at a less convenient time. This can lead to withholding, which increases the risk of constipation. Also, when you’re on vacation, your diet may change. Your go-to morning yogurt becomes a crepe, for example. This can also cause constipation. Make sure you get enough fiber, vegetables, and fruits. And even though those poolside pina coladas can taste heavenly, alcohol can lead to dehydration and therefore constipation. Air travel and more lounging than usual can back you up as well. So, bring a water bottle and go for a walk! Most of all, try not to stress about it. The problem usually resolves itself once you are home.
What Causes Diarrhea and What is the Best Way to Treat It? Diarrhea is really a complex topic. We ask patients many questions about what they’ve been eating. Foods that are high in simple sugars like doughnuts, dried fruits, and soda, bring water through the gut. Fried foods can be loaded with saturated and trans-fats, which are hard to digest, so they linger in your large intestine, keeping your stomach from properly emptying and causing extra fluid and yes, watery stool to be released. There is also alcohol. Yes, it can back you up, but it can also reduce water retention in your large intestine and lead to diarrhea. Other causes: food poisoning, medication, irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, in which the body has difficulty processing gluten. You can try an over-the-counter medication containing loperamide (such as Imodium) but if the problem is chronic see your doctor, who may order a colonoscopy or other tests or prescribe medication.
How Should I Wrap Things Up? An extended toilet time out can be a blissful escape, but if you exceed 15 minutes, it’s bad for your health. Prolonged sitting can cause hemorrhoids. And while wiping isn’t inherently harmful, overly aggressive wiping or rough toilet paper can irritate or tear the delicate skin around the anus. Use soft, unscented toilet paper or even a wipe (which goes in the trash, not the toilet) and a gentle patting motion. It cleans with water, reducing the irritation caused by repeated wiping. It’s especially helpful for people with sensitive skin, hemorrhoids, or conditions like anal fissures. OK. That’s all for the poop talk. Promise.
Rachel Clarke