The Scoop On Poop: Everything You Should Know
Whether you are a parent, a caregiver for an aged or disabled loved one, or you are just providing care for yourself, poop is something everyone ends up getting elbows deep in at one time or another. The question is – how much do you really know about poop? Did you know it could communicate with you? In fact, poop uses its size, consistency, and color to try to tell you a lot of different things.
Frequency
There is not a normal or average frequency that a person must poop. In fact, experts say the average person can go once or twice a day, but it is not uncommon for a person to go more or less than that. How often you go really depends on your body and your diet. For some people, it is not uncommon to only poop once or twice a week. Unless a lack of bowel movement is starting to make you feel uncomfortable or backed up, frequency isn't something to worry about.
Consistency
If your poop is hard and difficult to pass, it means you are constipated. This is true even if you are able to poop every day or several times a day. Your poop is never supposed to be hard and you shouldn't have to strain to pass it. Chances are pretty good the issue is nothing more than not enough fiber in your diet. Women need 25 grams of fiber and men need 38 grams of fiber every single day to avoid being constipated.
Color
The color of your poop is only an issue if it is black or red. If your poop is black, it is a warning sign you have internal bleeding. If your poop is red, it could be a sign of hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer. If your poop is red or black, you need to see a doctor. The same is true if you see blood in your stool in large amounts or on more than one occasion in a short period of time.
Diarrhea
On occasion, the consistency of your poop is going to be very similar to water. The occasional combination of runny and lumpy poop is perfectly normal. You only need to be concerned if you have diarrhea for a long period of time as it could be a sign of infection. It is recommended that you see a doctor if it lasts for more than two weeks as you would also be at a high risk of dehydration.
As you can see, poop is so much more than just old food that has been floating around your body for days. It says a lot about your health and whether or not you are eating properly. Are you listening to your poop? To learn more, contact a company like Alternative Nursing Services.