Ever looked in the toilet and just flushed without a second thought? Most people do. But your poop? It’s actually trying to tell you something.
Sounds weird, right? But it’s true. The poop’s colour, shape, and texture—each little detail matters. It’s like a health report you never asked for but always get.
Too hard, too loose, weird colour. Most of us ignore these signs. But your body is always giving hints about what’s going on inside.
So next time, don’t just flush and forget. Take a second. Your health might depend on it.
We’ve put together a simple guide to help you understand what does your poop say about your health? So, scroll down to reveal the poop health indicators!
What Can My Poop Tell Me About My Health?
Your poop can reveal a lot about what’s happening inside your body. Here’s a simple stool analysis checklist:
Your body is getting enough water or not
Your diet lacks enough fiber
Your gut is struggling with food intolerance or allergy
Your stress levels are affecting digestion
Your stomach might have worms or parasites
Your gastrointestinal tract could be inflamed or damaged
Your body is not absorbing nutrients properly
Your liver, kidneys, or gallbladder may have issues
Your medications or supplements are affecting digestion
Your gut bacteria balance is off
Your stool colour may indicate internal bleeding or liver problems
Your poop changes could be early signs of bowel cancer
Paying attention to these digestive health signs can help you take better care of your health!
What Does a Healthy Poop Look Like?
A healthy poop is smooth, soft, and well-formed. Normal poop should be medium to dark brown in colour, shaped like a sausage or a snake, and easy to pass without straining. The stool texture should be neither too hard nor too mushy—somewhere in between.
Stool Tests: Check Your Poop by Colour, Shape, Texture, Consistency, Smell
They say, "Don’t forget to flush!" But this time, pause—check your poop’s colour, shape, texture, consistency, and smell, then flush. Your poop holds important clues. Let’s break it down.
Poop Colours & What They Mean
Poop Colour Chart
1. Black: Could be from bleeding in the upper intestines or stomach, iron supplements, certain medications, or undigested food.
2. Light to Dark Brown: The ideal, healthy stool colour, indicating a well-functioning digestive system health.
3. Pale or Clay-Coloured: Might signal issues with the pancreas or a condition like celiac disease.
4. Orange: May indicate blocked bile ducts or antacid use.
5. Yellow or Green: Often suggests a fatty diet, a parasite, or stress, and can be linked to fat malabsorption issues with the gallbladder or liver
6. Green: Could be from eating too many leafy greens or a sign of bile moving too quickly through the intestines.
7. White or Pale: Could be linked to medication use or problems with nutrient absorption.
8. Red (Dark to Light): May indicate blood in the stool or the recent consumption of beets.
The Bristol Stool Chart: Stool Shape & Consistency
This chart helps you understand stool consistency types. (Types of poops):
Constipation
Type 1: Indicates severe constipation.
Type 2: Mild constipation
Ideal Stool (Poop)
Type 3: Normal and healthy stool.
Type 4: Ideal and easy-to-pass stool.
Diarrhoea and Urgency
Type 5: Indicate mild diarrhoea or urgency.
Type 6: Could point to IBS or stress.
Type 7: Indicates diarrhoea, possible infection, or digestive distress.
Bowel Movement Frequency: What’s Normal?
How Often Should You Poop?
A healthy bowel movement can happen anywhere from three times a week to three times a day.
But what does your poop frequency really mean?
Frequent Pooping (3 times a day)
It could mean you're eating a lot of fiber, drinking plenty of fluids, or your gut is a bit faster at processing food. It might also be linked to stress or infections.
Infrequent Pooping (3 times a week)
This might be a sign of constipation. It could be caused by low fiber, dehydration, or a slow digestive system.
Poop Smell: When to Be Concerned
Normal Odor vs. Foul-Smelling Stool: Normal poop has a mild odour. If it smells stronger, it’s likely due to the foods you eat or bacteria in your gut.
Strong, Persistent Odour: If the smell is sharp or foul for an extended period, it might point to a problem. Possible causes include infections, malabsorption (your body not absorbing nutrients properly), or dietary issues.
Medical Conditions Linked to Foul-Smelling Stool: Conditions like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or infections like gastroenteritis can cause a particularly foul odour. If the smell changes and doesn’t go away, you should consider colonoscopy screening in Singapore.
A colonoscopy is a procedure that examines the large intestine to check for abnormalities in the bowel. It helps find the cause of digestive disorder symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach pain, or blood in the stool.
A Note from Arden JR Surgery
When To See a Doctor About Your Poop?
It’s smart to notice if certain foods affect your bowel habits. Also, keep an eye on things like pain, bleeding, weight loss, or any other abnormal bowel movements.
Occasional constipation or green poop usually isn’t a cause for concern.
But if you ever feel something off, seeing a gastroenterologist in Singapore is a good idea. They’re experts in digestive health. At Arden JR Surgery, we have a dedicated team of gastroenterologists, nutritionists, and dieticians.
Our team will help you come up with the best digestive wellness plan based on your bowel habit changes and symptoms. We’ll make sure you’re on the right poop track to feeling better!
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