"It is important to check because it can help you identify a problem: digestion problems, structural diseases, motility disorders, or an adverse reaction or side effect to a medication," Christine Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, tells Health. "In general, the earlier a problem is discovered or identified, the better the outcome."
A super handy visual tool called the Bristol Stool Chart is here to help you diagnose what may be going on.
What the Bristol Stool Chart is
The chart is a scale detailing seven types of poop, ranging from constipation (Type 1) to diarrhea (Type 7). The purpose of referring to such a thing? “Patients can better communicate to their doctors the appearance of their bowel movements," says Dr. Lee.
Hydration
Your poop can tell you if you're drinking enough water.
"If you are dehydrated, the large intestine and colon work like dehydrators, pulling water from stools and repurposing it for the body’s use, causing really hard stools," says Dr. Lee.
Exercise habits
How much you're exercising (or moving in general) can also play a big role in what your poop looks like.
"Exercise improves muscle strength, motility, and a healthy stool appearance,” says Dr. Lee. “A sedentary lifestyle greatly exacerbates constipation.”
Medications
Tons of meds can mess with what your poop looks like.
"Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in many upset stomach medications) can change the color of your stools to black, as can iron supplements," says Dr. Lee.
Blood pressure medications can cause constipation, while some prescription meds for gout or diabetes can cause the opposite problem, she adds.
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