08/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/23/2024 14:30
Key takeaways:
How often you should poop will vary. On average, most people poop from three times a week up to three times a day.
Your dietary choices can change how often you poop. Some foods may make you poop more, while others may make you poop less often.
Sometimes, changes in your poop schedule can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
The Unmentionables is a series that answers common questions we all have about our bodies but are sometimes afraid to ask.
How often do you poop? And have you ever wondered if it's normal? No matter what you call it - poop, stool, or a bowel movement - there are a lot of factors that influence how frequently you go and what it looks like.
But do you really have to have a bowel movement daily? And are there any benefits to pooping every day? It turns out that what's normal can be different for different people. So while you don't have to poop everyday, you should have a poop schedule that prevents constipation.
What's considered normal when it comes to how often you should poop varies a lot. The average person poops between three times a day and three times a week. That's a big difference. But the most important thing is how easy it is to pass the stool. When you poop, your stools should be soft, formed, and easy to pass, no matter how often you go.
Not pooping enough? Learn more about the signs and symptoms of constipation and what you can do about it.
Is green poop normal? Find out what your poop color says about your health.
Worst foods for diarrhea: Here's a list of what you should avoid eating when you have diarrhea.
If it's hard for you to poop, you go less than three times a week, or you need to strain, you may have constipation. On the other hand, going more than three times a day with stools that are runny or watery is considered diarrhea.
Yes, food and drinks can change how often you poop. They can also change the color and consistency of your poop. The amount of fluid that you drink makes a big difference, too. Staying well hydrated helps you go more easily.
There are some foods that can stimulate the bowels and make you poop more often. Let's review these types of foods below.
Foods high in fiber can help you poop more. If you're having a hard time pooping, you might want to try eating more:
Vegetables
Whole grains
These foods contain fiber, which is very important when it comes to your bowel habits. Eating at least 25 g to 30 g of fiber daily helps bulk up your stool and keep it formed. It also allows stool to pass through the colon more easily, preventing constipation.
Have you heard people talk about needing their morning coffee to help them poop? Well, it turns out that there's some truth to this. Caffeine is a stimulant that activates the contractions in your colon. The stool is pushed forward more quickly when this happens, resulting in a bowel movement.
Probiotics contain living microorganisms that keep your colon healthy. There are different strains of probiotics. Some, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, may help increase the frequency of bowel movements.
More studies are needed before we can say for certain if probiotics help. But it may be worth trying if you're having trouble pooping.
You can get probiotics by eating certain foods - like yogurt and fermented foods - or taking a probiotic supplement pill.
If you're pooping more often than you'd like due to diarrhea or other reasons, there are foods that can make you poop less. Generally, this includes foods like:
White rice
Pasta
Eggs
Applesauce
The BRAT diet is often recommended to rest the stomach and bowels if you've had diarrhea. It features foods that are soft, low in fiber, and easy to digest. The acronym stands for:
Bananas
Rice
Applesauce
Toast
Also, if you've had diarrhea, you may want to avoid dairy products. They make diarrhea worse for many people.
Constipation is when you poop fewer than three times a week. Signs that you might be constipated include:
Stools that are hard to pass
The need to strain when pooping
Only small amounts of stool coming out
Bloating and cramping
If you're constipated, there are some easy changes that you can make at home to get relief. First, try increasing your water intake. As mentioned before, being hydrated will make your stools softer and easier to pass.
You can also try eating some of the foods that we mentioned above. If you're still not getting relief, you might want to try an over-the-counter (OTC) medication for constipation. Some options include:
We've mentioned that it's best for your stools to be "soft," but you may be wondering what exactly that means or looks like. Luckily, the Bristol Stool Chart was created to help you describe your stool to a healthcare professional. If you aren't sure if your stool looks normal, this chart can help you decide.
The answer to how often you should poop will be different for each person. But you should have a poop cycle that's consistent. The best thing you can do to stay on a regular poop cycle is:
Eat a diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables
Get plenty of fiber
Drink plenty of water
Get regular physical activity
If your poop schedule isn't ideal, you might be wondering when you need to seek medical care. You should see a healthcare professional if you have symptoms like:
A sudden change in your usual stool pattern
Bright red blood in your stools
Dark, tar-like or black stools
Frequent diarrhea or constipation
Diarrhea after you eat
Greasy or foul-smelling stools
Discolored stools that are pale in color, gray, red, or black
Abdominal pain, fatigue, or weight loss
Skinny stools
Poop can be any shade of brown. Even a greenish tinge can be normal for some people on some days. You're the best expert on what's normal for you. The color of your poop may change depending on what you eat or the medications you're taking.
Frequent bowel movements (more than your norm) can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Possible reasons include:
A gastrointestinal (GI) infection
Inflammatory bowel disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Lactose intolerance
If you are concerned about having frequent bowel movements, talk to a healthcare professional so they can figure out the cause of your symptoms.
The average person can poop as often as three times a day or as rarely as three times a week. The longer you go without pooping, the more likely you are to have constipation or an underlying medical condition that affects the colon. If you haven't had a bowel movement in a week or more, you should talk to a healthcare professional about your symptoms.
How often it's normal to poop can vary. Anywhere from three times a day to three times a week can be healthy. But your stools should never be painful or hard to pass. Your diet, your water intake, and your activity can all affect how often you poop. You can try changing your diet and activity or using an OTC medication for mild problems. More severe or sudden changes may require a visit to a healthcare professional.
The Unmentionables is a series that focuses on common curiosities about our bodies that, at some point, have been labeled as taboo, shameful, or embarrassing. But these are important questions we all have about our health, and we should be able to ask them. This series aims to dispel the stigma, normalize the discussion, and openly address these important health topics.
Don't be shy. Someone else has the same question, so ask away!
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Bharucha, A. E., et al. (2020). Mechanisms, evaluation, and management of chronic constipation. Gastroenterology.
Continence Foundation of Australia. (2024). Bristol stool chart.
Kamiński, M., et al. (2020). Are probiotics useful in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults? A review of existing systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and recommendations. Przegląd Gastroenterologiczny.
MedlinePlus. (2023). When you have diarrhea.
Nemeth, V., et al. (2022). Diarrhea. StatPearls.
Walter, S. (2009). Assessment of normal bowel habits in the general adult population: The Popcol study. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology.
Weir, S. (2023). Bland diet. StatPearls.
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