8. Frequency
Most people probably don’t really take note of how often they are going to the washroom or the time of day. Healthline points out that most people actually go to the washroom around the same time every day. This is likely due to the fact that their eating schedule and diet tends to stay relatively similar from day to day.
On average, a healthy person can pass a stool anywhere from once every other day to three times a day. If you’re visiting the bathroom less than this then you are likely suffering from constipation. You should try drinking more water to help move things along.
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9. Bristol Stool Scale
Everytime we pass a stool, it falls somewhere on the Bristol stool scale in terms of look and shape. This scale was designed to tell people what their stool shape says about their health. Healthline explains that it was created back in 1992 after a 2000 person study and is the best and easiest way to understand what our stool can tell us about our health.
Type 1 is defined as small, hard lumps that look like nuts. These are often hard to pass and mean you’re constipated. This type of stool should not be a regular occurrence. Type 2 is defined as “log shaped and lumpy,” says Healthline. It also means the person is constipated and shouldn’t happen on a regular basis.
Type 3 is again log shaped and lumpy, but this kind of stool has some cracks on the surface. According to Healthline, this is the “gold standard of poop, especially if it’s somewhat soft and easy to pass.” Type 4 is long and skinny like a snake. This is considered to be a normal stool and should occur every one to three days.
The next one is type 5 which is small, soft, and easy to pass. Healthline writes that the “blobs also have clear cut edges.” While it’s not necessarily considered diarrhea, this stool is too soft. It means you’re not eating enough fiber. You should consider adding more cereal and vegetables to your diet.
We’re now getting into the unhealthy stools again. Type 6 is described as “fluffy and mushy with ragged edges,” by the source. It’s too soft to be considered healthy, but is only a mild form of diarrhea. If you notice this type of stool, you should try to drink more water and fruit juice. We’ve all experienced type 7 at some point or another. It’s definitely not healthy. If you have type 7, your stool is watery with no solids. It means the stool moved through the body quickly and didn’t even form into a healthy stool.