People don’t really like to talk about poo. There are not many people who like to deal with human waste, although there are a few such as this septic tank emptying Solihull company, who deal with it on a daily basis, and of course doctors and medical staff. What comes out of us is one of the least talked about subjects – but it is important to be aware of your poo and what any changes in colours and textures can mean, as many more serious underlying problems can be detected by noticing stools.
Textures
There are many different textures of poo, and changes to the usual texture can point to underlying problems, some more serious than others. As a rough guide, here are some of the basics and what they mean…
Small, nuggets – these will often be difficult to get out and come out separately in several hard bits. This sort can signal constipation – the reason for it being so hard and lumpy is that it has dried up from being sat in the digestive tract for so long.
Sausage like – This sleek poo is the best sort to have. It passes out of the body easily and is smooth yet still solid.
Runny, or completely Liquid – This is diarrhoea, and means that your body is trying to expel the contents quickly. This can also mean that if you are not careful you can become very dehydrated.
Colours
Colours are another good way to look for any problems. Here are some colours and what they could mean…
Brown – This is the healthy colour that stools should be. The brown colour is caused by bile which is produced by the liver to break down fats, and as the stool passes through the colour darkens to brown.
Green – People who eat lots of green vegetables can often have green poo, as the colour can strongly tint the stools – spinach in particular can have this effect.
White – White stools can indicate that there is a problem with bile production, gallstones or a blockage in the duct itself. You should seek medical attention if this is the colour of the stool.
Black – Sometimes there can be a harmless reason for this, such as iron tablets which can cause the stools to turn black. But if the consistency is like tar and strong smelling this will need to be medically investigated as it could be caused by bleeding somewhere in the digestive system.
Red – If the stools are bright red, it indicates bleeding somewhere further down the digestive system, such as piles or from constipation which can cause bleeding.