The Natural and Necessary Act of Pooping
Pooping, or defecating, is a normal bodily function that everybody does. However, many people feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about their poop habits. Understanding more about the nature of poop can help remove the stigma around this important health topic.
What is Poop?
Poop consists of waste and extra fluid removed from the body via the digestive tract. It contains:
- Undigested food like fiber
- Bacteria from the intestines
- Various salts and minerals
- Cells shed from the intestinal lining
- Extra water
This waste passes from the small intestine to the large intestine, where water is absorbed. What's left over is formed into feces in the rectum and expelled from the body during pooping.
What Gives Poop its Color and Texture?
Poop derives its normal brown color from bilirubin, a digestive byproduct formed from hemoglobin in old red blood cells. The texture is influenced by:
- Fiber intake - creates bulkier poop
- Fat intake - makes poop float
- Water absorption - leads to harder poop
Abnormal colors like green, red, black, or yellow may indicate health issues. Consistency ranging from loose watery stool to hard pellets reflects gut function.
11 Facts About Pooping Habits and Health
Understanding poop provides insight into digestive health. Here are 11 evidence-based facts about how often, what, and when people poop.
1. Normal Pooping Frequency is Widely Variable
The normal pooping frequency ranges from 3 times per day to 3 times per week. The average is around once daily. Pooping habits are influenced by:
- Diet - fiber and liquids speed transit time
- Physical activity
- Stress levels
- Travel
- Underlying medical issues
As long as stool remains soft and comfortable to pass, pooping frequency is not a major health concern.
2. Poop Floating is Caused by Extra Gas
Stool that floats is not a cause for alarm. Extra gas produced by gut bacteria or from swallowing air can make poop less dense than water, causing it to float. Some causes include:
- Food intolerances like lactose intolerance
- Changes in diet
- Stress
- IBS
Floating stool that recurs frequently or appears greasy may indicate issues like malabsorption.
3. Pooping Position Can Impact Experience
The squat position, with knees higher than hips, allows for more complete and easier poop passage. Sitting upright on a toilet can strain the rectum. Try using a small step stool to mimic a squat.
4. The Urge to Poop Can be Ignored Temporarily
When you sense the urge to poop, the rectum is signaling it's full. But you can generally wait 10-15 minutes before needing to find a toilet. Just don't make a habit of delaying, which can cause constipation issues.
5. Poop Smell Comes From Sulphur
Sulphur-containing chemicals produced by gut bacteria give poop its distinct odor. Foods like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables can make poop more smelly.
6. Poop Appearance Depends on Transit Time
Poop's appearance reflects how long it takes to travel through the colon. Slow transit over 2-3 days leads to hard, dry stools. Fast transit in under 24 hours causes loose, watery stool. Normal is soft and sausage/snake-shaped.
7. Holding In Poop Too Long Is Harmful
Delaying defecation for extended times can cause feces to back up and impact the intestines. This promotes bacterial overgrowth, constipation, hemorrhoids, and other problems. Answer the urge to poop when it arises.
8. Squat Toilets Promote Easier Pooping
Special toilets designed for squatting rather than sitting can relax the puborectalis muscle, allowing more complete poop elimination. Most Western toilets don't facilitate this.
9. Pooping More Frequently Can Mean Healthier Gut
Studies show that rural cultures who eat natural diets poop more often. Frequent bowel movements may protect against colon cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases.
10. Proper Poop Disposal is Vital for Sanitation
Eliminating feces safely minimizes spread of bacteria and parasites. Washing hands after pooping reduces disease transmission. Water treatment facilities make human waste safe for ecosystems.
11. Digested Corn Appears Whole in Poop
The outer covering of corn kernels, called pericarp, resists digestion. But the inside starch and nutrients get absorbed, leaving the pericarp "shell" behind in feces.
When to See a Doctor for Poop Issues
While variation in pooping frequency and stool consistency is normal, certain changes may require medical evaluation. See your doctor if you experience:
- Persistent diarrhea or constipation
- Blood or pus in stool
- Severe abdominal pain with pooping
- Unexplained weight changes
- Narrowing or thinning stools
- Pooping involuntarily or urgently
Your physician can check for underlying problems like infections, IBS, IBD, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, colon cancer, or other conditions.
Tests to Evaluate Pooping Problems
Tests your doctor may order include:
- Physical exam
- Stool sample analysis
- Blood tests
- Colonoscopy
- CT scan
- Barium enema
Treatment depends on the cause found. Lifestyle changes, medications, bowel retraining, supplements, or sometimes surgery may be recommended.
Achieving Healthy Pooping Habits
You can optimize digestive health and pooping patterns by:
- Eating more fiber - fruits, veggies, whole grains
- Drinking more fluids
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing stress
- Trying probiotics
- Avoiding laxative overuse
- Practicing intuitive pooping when needed
Pay attention to what's normal for your body. Seek medical help for any persistent changes in pooping habits or stool details.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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