Identifying Important Signals from Your Stool

Stool is an important indicator of overall health and wellbeing. While most people tend to overlook seemingly mundane details regarding their stools, understanding the small changes can be highly beneficial to overall well-being. Identifying important signals from stool can help to diagnose and treat a wide range of intestinal issues and other health problems.

First, it’s important to understand the basics of normal stool. Health professionals typically rate stools on a scale of one to seven, where one indicates very hard stool and seven very loose stool. Ideally, the stool should rate between four and five on the Bristol Stool Chart. It should also be relatively solid, oval or sausage-shaped, and should have a consistent color (generally a brown or yellow-tan color). It should not contain visible undigested food particles, should not have a strong odor, and should not contain blood.

If any of these normal characteristics are abnormal, then it’s important to start paying attention to the signals of your stool. For example, if stool is consistently diarrhea-like (rating above five on the scale), it may be a sign of bacterial imbalance, such as a food intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, a greasy, foul-smelling stool may be evidence of a fatty acid absorption issue or an intolerance to certain foods. If the stool contains solid, undigested food particles, it may signal that digestion is happening too quickly. If the stool is softer than normal or has a “squishy” consistency, this too may signal a bacterial imbalance.

But changes in stool may also signal non-intestinal issues. Hard, dry stool may indicate dehydration or low fiber intake, while very dark stool may signal internal bleeding. Additionally, streaks of red or black in the stool may signal bleeding in the GI tract and should be evaluated by a medical professional.

In general, recognizing changes in the consistency and color of your stool, as well as any presence of undigested food particles or blood in your stool, can help accomplish the goal of identifying important signals from your stool.

It’s important to keep in mind that any changes in stool may signal a serious health issue and should be evaluated by a medical professional. Paying attention to smaller changes in your stool can help alert you to any potential health issues that need to be addressed in order to maintain overall health and wellbeing.