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What are the different types of poop Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — By Jayne Leonard — Updated on June 21, 2022Poop, also known as stool or feces, is a standard part of the digestive process. Poop consists of waste products that the body eliminates.
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It may include undigested food particles, bacteria, salts, and other substances. Sometimes, poop can vary in color, texture, amount, and odor. These differences can be concerning, but usually, these changes are not significant and will resolve in a day or two.
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Other times, however, changes in poop indicate a more serious condition. Keep reading to discover more about the different types of poop, including what is and is not typical. Fast facts on types of poop Poop can come in different shapes, colors, and smells.A person should pass a normal, healthy poop easily and with minimal strain.Anyone who has blood in their stool should seek urgent medical attention.
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Bristol stool chart
Share on PinterestDevised by doctors in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, England, and based on the bowel movements of nearly 2,000 people, the Bristol stool chart characterizes the different types of poop as shown above. Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 are healthy stool, while types 5–7 suggest diarrhea and urgency. Normal poop
Poop is generally:Medium to dark brown: It contains a pigment called bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down.Strong-smelling: Bacteria in excrement emit gases that contain the unpleasant odor associated with poop.Pain-free to pass: A healthy bowel movement should be painless and require minimal strain.Soft to firm in texture: Doctors consider poop passed in one single piece or a few smaller pieces to signify a healthy bowel.
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The long, sausage-like shape of poop is due to the shape of the intestines.Passed once or twice daily: Most people pass stool once a day, although others may poop every other day or up to three times daily. At a minimum, a person should pass stool three times per week.Consistent in its characteristics: A healthy poop varies from person to person.
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However, people should monitor any changes in the smell, firmness, frequency, or color of poop as it can indicate an issue. How long should a poop take
It should take 10–15 minutes to pass the stool. People that take longer than this may have constipation, hemorrhoids, or another condition.
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Poop colors
While brown poop is considered the “usual” color of poop, some greenish-brown hues may also be acceptable. Poop can be other colors too, such as:
Black
Black stools, especially if they have the appearance of tar, suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. Other substances may also cause black poop, such as:iron supplementsblack licoriceblack stoutbismuth medications
White
If stools are white, gray, or pale, a person may have an issue with the liver or gallbladder, as pale stools suggest a lack of bile.
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Some antidiarrhea medications cause white stools. Green
Spinach, kale, or other green foods can cause green poop. However, a green-colored stool may signify too much bile and not enough bilirubin in the poop.
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Red
Poop that is red-colored may be the result of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the stool can indicate hemorrhoids. Eating beets or red berries or drinking beet or tomato juice also turns poop red.
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Once these foods have passed through the digestive tract, poop should become brown again. Orange
Consuming many orange-colored foods, which are rich in a pigment called beta-carotene, causes orange stool.
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Carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash are among the many foods that contain this pigment. However, blocked bile ducts or certain medications, including some antacids and the antibiotic rifampin, can cause orange poop.
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Yellow
If stool appears yellow or greasy-looking, the poop contains too much fat. This may result from absorption issues or difficulty producing enzymes or bile.
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Most people will experience variations in stool color at some stage. Usually, this is down to diet or some other minor cause.
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However, anyone who experiences changes in poop color that last 2 or more weeks or has red or black stool should consult a doctor. If parents or caregivers notice any changes in their baby’s poop, it is usually not a cause for concern, but they can consult a pediatrician for further advice.
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Read on about the baby’s poop color. Abnormal poop
The following situations may suggest a digestive issue:pooping too often — more than three times dailynot pooping often enough — less than three times a weekexcessive straining when poopingpoop that is red, black, green, yellow, or whitegreasy, fatty stoolspain when poopingblood in the stoolbleeding while passing stoolwatery poop — diarrheavery hard, dry poop that is difficult to passfloating poop
People experiencing any of these types of poop should consult a doctor.
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What causes abnormal poop
There is a range of reasons why a person may experience poop that is different from usual, including:
Stress
Stress can trigger and exacerbate digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can affect how quickly food moves through the body, which can cause either diarrhea or constipation for some people.
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Find out what remedies can alleviate stress. Dehydration
Not drinking enough water and other fluids can lead to constipation, as stool requires moisture to move more easily through the digestive tract.
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Too much caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration. Read on how much water a person should drink.
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Lack of dietary fiber
Fiber acts as a binding substance to give stool its form. It also helps poop to move smoothly through the digestive tract.
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A diet low in fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can lead to bowel problems. Learn what fiber-rich roods are.
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Food intolerances and allergies
People with an intolerance or allergy to certain foods can often experience diarrhea, constipation, or other traits of abnormal poop when they consume problematic food. For example, people with lactose intolerance often experience diarrhea if they have dairy, while those with celiac disease will have an adverse reaction to gluten.
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Find out more about common food allergies. Medical conditions
Certain conditions can cause constipation, diarrhea, or other poop abnormalities. Examples of such conditions include:depressioncanceran overactive or underactive thyroidinflammatory bowel diseaseIBSParkinson’s disease
Constipation
A person may have constipation if they:have difficulty emptying the large bowelare straining when poopingare passing less stool than usualthe stool is lumpy, dry, or hard Alongside the above causes of constipation, it may also result from lifestyle or routine changes such as physical inactivity or the overuse of laxatives.
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Learn more about the remedies for constipation. When to consult a doctor
A person should contact a doctor if changes to poop persist for 2 weeks or more.
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People should seek immediate medical treatment if the stool is bright red, black, or a tarry substance. These symptoms suggest blood loss, which could become a medical emergency if left untreated.
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How to ensure healthy bowels
To help ensure healthy bowel function and healthy poops, people can follow the tips below:Eat enough fiber: Aim to get the recommended minimum daily amount of fiber, which is 25 grams (g) for women and 38 g for men under 50 years old. Women over 50 should aim for 21 g while men over 50 should consume 30 g daily.Drink plenty of water: A reasonable amount is about 8 glasses (64 ounces) per day.
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It is especially important to stay hydrated when consuming more fiber.Take probiotics: Probiotics may help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut. Although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics, these beneficial bacteria are in capsule form. Try magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide often treats constipation.
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It is safe for most people, although doctors do not recommend it for people with renal insufficiency.Lifestyle changes: This may include stopping smoking, type, and level of exercise, and anxiety management to help control a person’s bowel movements. A well-functioning digestive system is essential for health and well-being. It also suggests that a person is eating a balanced diet.
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Poop abnormalities that persist can lead to complications. For example, ongoing diarrhea can result in nutritional deficiencies or, in severe cases, malnutrition, while constipation can cause bowel obstructions.
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Summary
A person’s poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor the changes and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks.
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To encourage bowel function, a person should eat a fiber-rich diet, exercise regularly, reduce stress, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Read this article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on June 21, 2022ConstipationIrritable Bowel SyndromeGastroIntestinal / GastroenterologyNutrition / Diet 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.
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We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Bristol stool chart.
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(n.d.).https://www.continence.org.au/pages/bristol-stool-chart.htmlCan probiotics help against diarrhea? (2019).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0088733Dimidi, E., et al.
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(2014). The effect of probiotics on functional constipation in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25099542Easy ways to boost fiber in your daily diet. (2021).http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/ways-to-boost-fiberGordon, B.
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(2020). How much water do you need.https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/healthy-eating/how-much-water-do-you-needImproving your bowel function. (2017).https://pogp.csp.org.uk/system/files/publication_files/POGP-BowelFunction_0.pdfLarson, H.
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(2021). Easy ways to boost fiber in your daily diet.https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/easy-ways-to-boost-fiber-in-your-daily-dietProbiotics. (2018).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/probioticsStress effects on the body.
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(2018).https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/bodyYour digestive system & how it works. (2017).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-worksFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — By Jayne Leonard — Updated on June 21, 2022
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New clues arise
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An examination of sticky poop, including whether or not it is normal. Included is detail on when to see a doctor and the foods that cause it to happen.READ MOREWhy is my poop orange?Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D. It can sometimes cause alarm to look into the toilet after emptying the bowels and see poop that is a different color to the usual brown.
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