13 Different Types of Poop | 13 Shocking Things Different Kinds of Poop Says About Your Health

It's no secret that everyone poops. But did you know there are different types of poop? And each type of poop means something different about your health?

In this comprehensive guide to poo, learn the 13 different types of poop and what they mean for your health!

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13 Different Types of Poop and What They Mean

A Comprehensive Guide to Different Stool Types

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Definitions of Poop

What comes out of your body matters. And sometimes, what comes out is downright weird.

Definitions of poop can be gross, remarkable, or fascinating.

But one thing is for sure: it's an integral part of our lives.

So, what is poop? In a nutshell, it's the waste products that the body expels. But there's more to it than that! The definition of poop can vary depending on who you ask.

Poop is anything from the excrement that comes out of your anus to the contents of your toilet bowl.

Poop is a funny thing. For some people, it's shameful. For others, poop is the source of many jokes and humorous stories. But regardless of how you feel about poop, it must come out once in a while!

And while you might think that all poop is equal (and smells terrible), there are different types of poop. And each type of poop reveals something about your health!

Do you know what your poop says about you? Your poop can tell so much about you and your health.

What Does Healthy Poop Look Like

Poop is a natural part of life, and it's also an important health indicator. While it can be unique on its own, a few indications could hint if you are healthy or unhealthy.

So, before we head on to the nitty-gritty of your poop, here are the signs of a healthy poop.

Healthy Poop Color

Brown is the healthy poop color. Thanks to Bilirubin! Bilirubin is the pigment compound formed from the breakdown of red blood cells in our body.

Healthy Poop Shape

Sausage-shaped

Healthy Poop Size

Couple inches in length, comfortable, and easy to pass

Healthy Poop Frequency

So how often should you poop? Poop frequency can vary from person to person. But on average, healthy adults should poop between once and thrice a day. If you're going more than four days without pooping, it might be time to investigate the cause. For example, a poop that is difficult to pass could signify constipation.

Many factors can affect your poop frequency, including diet, exercise, and stress levels. If you're not pooping as often as you'd like, try changing your lifestyle. Eat a healthy diet full of fiber-rich foods, get plenty of exercise, and relax and de-stress.

How Long Should It Take To Go Poop

How long should it take a healthy person to poop? It should take a few minutes to have a bowel movement, not more than 10-15 minutes. You're constipated if there's pain or straining to get your poop out.

Poop Color | What Does the Color of Your Poop Mean

Here are the different poop colors you might encounter and how you can interpret them.

1. Brown Poop
2. Black Poop
3. Green Poop
4. Yellow Poop
5. Red Poop
6. White Poop

Brown Poop

You're Good! Brown is the A-Grade color of a healthy poop – due to the bile and bilirubin!

Black Stool

You may have black poop because of the food you eat. Black and Blue foods can give this shade to your feces.

Here are some foods that can give you a black poop:

• Blueberries
• Licorice
• Dark chocolate cookies
• Grape juice

Your poop may also be black due to the medications you're taking. Medicines that can make your poop black are:

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Iron supplements
• Bismuth Medication

Your black stool could mean bleeding in the intestines too. The latter is a reason to contact your doctor immediately!

If the foods or the medications above are not part of your diet, you should check for ulcers or cancer!

Green Poop

Are you a fan of spinach, kale, and broccoli? Or your diet contains avocados, cucumbers, zucchini, kiwis, and other green foods. Then you don't have a reason to worry about green poop.

Consuming vegetables rich in chlorophyll can give you green poop. Chlorophyll is what makes these veggies green.

Green food coloring, drinks, and iron supplements can give you green poop too.

Another cause of green poop is your stool passing your digestive tract too fast. As a result, your poop did not get enough bile in bilirubin.

Yellow Poop

Uh-oh! Greasy, stinky, yellow poop is a sign of too much fat.
Have you noticed that your stool looks yellowish in a greasy film and even leaves drops of oil in the toilet bowl?

Yellow stool can signify blocked bile ducts, and poor fat absorption – too much fat goes out with your stool when your digestive system fails to break down food the way it should.

A lack of enzymes produced by the pancreas may also cause yellow poop. Also, it may hint at chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease.

It could also mean malabsorption, where your body isn't absorbing enough nutrients.

What does poop look like with celiac disease?

Celiac disease causes poop to move faster through the intestines. This digestive disorder results in yellowish, fat-laden stools due to malabsorption.

But don't panic yet! Yellow poop can also signify that you ate too many carrots and had a lot of yellow-colored drinks. Yes! They could make your poop look golden!

Red Poop

Did you eat anything red?
If not, your red poop can mean bleeding. Red poop bleeding is either due to hemorrhoids or bleeding in the lower intestinal tract.

Your diet usually influences the red stool:

• Beets
• Jell-O
• Colored drinks
• Tomatoes

Think about what you've consumed recently. Yet, if food is not the cause, it's time to call your doctor!
Blood in your poop is an alarming sign. It may be an: anal fistula or more severe like hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis, or cancer.

Note that bowel cancer has other symptoms such as:

• Losing weight
• feeling breathless and tired
• Need to strain as if you wanted to go number two even after you've done it

White Poop

A white poop may be a sign of a blocked bile duct. Whitish Grayish or Clay-colored stool indicates a lack of bile. Bile is what makes poop brown.

It can be anything from blocked bile ducts, gall stones, or cirrhosis. The liver and gallbladder are organs where your body produces and stores bile.

• Gallstones can give you severe abdominal pain. Or show no signs of existence, making it trickier to diagnose.
• Cirrhosis gives your liver irreversible damage. Early detection of it could be life-saving. Check out these 12 Early Signs of Liver Cirrhosis.

Shapes of Poop Meaning

Still don't believe that watching your poop is rational? Some scientific research may convince you to distinguish the types of poop. Scientists from the Bristol Royal Infirmary created the Bristol Stool Chart. This poop chart describes seven types of feces and what they mean.

Hard Lumpy Poop | Pebble Poop

Hard lumpy poop or hard and separate little lumps look like nuts poop.

Separate solid lumps of poop mean you might have severe constipation. Also, this type of poop reminiscent of nuts or goat feces in your toilet bowl means your body lacks fiber.

To fix it, try to consume more fiber-rich foods like:

• Fresh fruit and Vegetables
• Grains
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Whole wheat
• Beans
• Lentils

According to the American Dietetic Association, Americans get about 0.5 oz. of fiber daily, which is much less than we need.

The best amount is one ounce a day for women under fifty-one and one point three ounces a day for men of the same age.

Also, if you experience constipation, don't forget the natural laxatives prunes. Those dried plums have enough sorbitol in them for a good desired effect.

What Does Clumpy Poop Mean | Mushy Stool

Sausage But Lumpy Poop or Mushy Stool means Mild Constipation.

Hydrate and load up on fiber! This type of poop is due to a lack of fiber.

Non-dietary reasons for constipation may include:

• Long-term anti-diarrhea medicine intake
• Lack of physical activity

To avoid constipation, eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise.

Avoiding constipation would better the natural contraction of digestion process muscles. As a result, your body will need less time to move food through the large intestine.

Aerobic exercise also makes your heartbeat and breathing faster. Examples of this are:

• Running
• Jogging
• Swimming

But, Don't exercise right after a big meal. Instead, wait for an hour to avoid bloating and excess gas stretching.

Certain yoga positions and walking at least 15 minutes a day can help healthy digestion.

Easy to Pass Small but Soft With Clear-Cut Edges

You lack fiber and should find ways to add some to your diet through cereal or vegetables.

Fluffy and Mushy with Ragged Edges

You have mild diarrhea if your poop comes in fluffy pieces with ragged edges. In this case, you have too much fiber in your diet. Drink more to avoid dehydration and stick to boiled potatoes and bananas.

You may want to try some OTC like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol. They will help slow down the movement in your intestines and shape more solid stools.

If the problem lasts for more than two days, consult a doctor.

Completely Watery with No Solid Pieces

You've got diarrhea! Your stool moved through your bowels too fast that it didn't form into a healthy poop. Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Liquid without solid pieces type of feces is what we call severe diarrhea.

Severe diarrhea may be a sign of:

• Food poisoning
• Lactose intolerance
• Bacterial infection or
• Medicine intake

Antibiotics, heartburn, acid reflux medications, and chemotherapy drugs are often the cause. Drink plenty of water to fight dehydration and try over-the-counter medications.

Severe diarrhea usually doesn't last long. But, consult a doctor if the symptoms don't disappear in two days and feel pain and fever.

Soft and Clingy to the Toilet

Too much oil could mean that your body is not absorbing fats. Diseases like Chronic pancreatitis are usually the culprits.

Floating Poop | Why is My Poop Floating

Is your poop a floater? No need to worry. Floating poop means your poop is less dense than those that sink. So a floating poop could be a sign of gas.

Yet, while malabsorption poop floats, other symptoms above must be present.

Yet, while malabsorption poop floats, other symptoms above must be present.

Types of Poop Chart

13 Different Types of Poop and What They Mean

Here's an infographic guide that you can use. Feel free to download, save and share it with your loved ones:

Have you taken a good look at your poop? What does it say about your health? Please share with us in the comment section below!

 

Have a Nice Poop!

What is your opinion on different stool colors? Do you think it essential to know the different types of poop and what they mean? Do you consult doctors when needed? Please share with us in the comment section below.

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