An individual’s bathroom habits tell a lot about their overall health. While it differs from person to person based on their unique lifestyle that includes food habits and exercise, poop schedule can be an insightful indicator of one’s well-being. Changes in the colour, shape and texture of one’s stool can reveal signs of gastric infections, digestive problems or even more serious issues like cancer. Hence, a majority of diagnostic tests for any treatment include stool examinations, which can give the doctors detailed information about one’s gut health and any underlying problem.
Here’s what your poop schedule might be trying to tell you.
According to studies, a normal bowel movement varies from person to person. While some might have to poop three times a day, others might have their bowel movement thrice per week. However, any consistency, colour or texture changes or increasing difficulties in passing the stool might indicate a problem. If an individual poops less than thrice a week, then it’s a clear indication of constipation.
Hindustan Times quoted Dr Ronak Tate, Consultant-Gastroenterology at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital as saying, “Changing lifestyle is making this issue of constipation ubiquitous globally. It should not be ignored as it needs adequate and timely treatment. This applies to constipation affecting both children and adults, including geriatric individuals. Constipation indisputably is about decreased frequency of pooping, and difficulty pooping, and taking too long in the washroom, but it is also about foul loud farts and equally loud belching.”
Constipation can be a direct result of dehydration and lack of fibre-rich food in diet. The doctor told the publication that piles, fissures, fistula in anus, hernia and rectal prolapse are consequences of long-term severe constipation, with many even needing surgery. Studies have also suggested that gastrointestinal disturbances are likely to take place in people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Parkinson’s disease, depression and dementia. Dr Ronak Tate mentioned that the onset of constipation can be an indicator of colon cancer. Hence, people must resort to proper treatment for a better quality of life.
“Constipation in most cases has become a symbol of a sedentary lifestyle, where individuals are more prone to eating badly-made non-nutritious food from outside. Indigestion, acidity, abdominal bloating, acid reflux and chest pain symptoms associated with unhealthy lifestyle, including diet, sleep, stress, lack of exercise, etc. Our diet needs fibre and proper hydration; without both these present in sufficient quantity, a normal poop schedule will be harder to maintain. However, oftentimes, what constipation signifies is a deeper lying issue that will remain untreated if proper awareness is not created about it,” highlighted the doctor.
One can maintain a healthy bowel movement by eating a balanced, fibre-rich diet, staying hydrated and exercising regularly. Individuals can also get their colonoscopies done to further rule out any complications in their bowel movements.
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