What’s your poop like?

Different textures and colors of poo can say a lot about you

A poop classification

Pooping is vital for your body and poop is the waste left after your body absorbed all the nutrients from food. So take a look at your poo and see what it looks like. A different poop texture or color can say a lot about your health.

Textures

Separate hard lumps

You’re lacking fibers and fluids. You need to drink more water and eat some fruits and vegetables.

Sausage-shaped, smooth and soft

The perfect poop! You’re OK!

Watery, no solid pieces

You’re having diarrhea. This is probably caused by an infection, and this is your body’s way of cleaning it out. Drink more water to replace the liquids lost.

Sausage-shaped but lumpy

Less serious as ‘separate hard lumps’, but you need more fibers and fluids.

Soft blobs with clear cut-edges

Pretty normal if you’re pooping multiple times a day.

Sausage-shaped with cracks on the surface

Normal, but cracks mean you need more water intake.

Fluffy pieces with ragged edges

This kind of poop is on its way to becoming diarrhea.

Soft but stick on the side of the bowl

The presence of too much oil could mean that your body isn’t absorbing fats properly.

Colors

Brown

It’s OK. Poop is normally brown due to the bile produced in your liver.

Green

Food may be moving through your large intestine too quickly, or you could have eaten lots of green vegetables, or green food coloring.

>>> A new toilet paper tear

Yellow

It indicates an excess of fats which could be due to malabsorption disorders like celiac disease.

Black

It could mean that you’re bleeding internally due to an ulcer or cancer. Some vitamins containing iron or bismuth subsalicylate could cause black poop too. See a doctor.

White

It could mean a bile duct obstruction, but some meds could cause this too.

Red

Blood in your poop could be a symptom of cancer. Always see a doctor.

Remember

The food you eat usually takes 1-3 days to end up in your poop;
Poop is made up of undigested food, bacteria, mucus, and dead cells. That’s why it smells;
Healthy poop sinks slowly.

Source HealthWorks.my