What is a change in bowel habits?
A change in bowel habits is any departure from what counts as normal when it comes to how your stools look or how often you have a bowel movement (poop). Slight changes usually aren’t a big deal. But major changes may signal that you need to adjust some parts of your lifestyle to live healthier. Differences can provide clues about what’s happening inside your body, like a health condition a healthcare provider should know about and treat.
The most common changes usually involve stool color, consistency, frequency and how much control you have over when you go to the bathroom.
Stool color
Stool color varies, but it’s typically some shade of brown, depending on the foods you eat. A temporary color change from brown is likely harmless and diet-related. Small amounts of bright red in your stool usually mean rectal bleeding, which may or may not be serious, depending on the cause. Unusual color changes that don’t clear up (like deep red, black and tarry, clay-colored or pale stools) are signs you should see a provider.
Stool consistency (firmness)
Stools should be solid, soft and pass easily. Hard, dry stools that are tough to pass are a sign of constipation. Loose, watery stools are a sign of diarrhea. Both constipation and diarrhea are common and usually clear up within a few days. Constipation or diarrhea that lasts longer than two weeks isn’t normal. It’s time to see a provider at that point.
Frequency (how often you poop)
The normal length of time between bowel movements varies from person to person. Some people have bowel movements several times a day. Others only go once or twice a week. A general rule is that going longer than three days without pooping is too long. After three days, stool becomes harder and more difficult to pass. You may need to take steps to spur your gut into action so you can poop.
Control over your bowel movements
You should be able to control the muscles in your gut that allow you to poop or hold it. Loss or lack of control is called fecal (bowel) incontinence. It’s more common as you age. It’s important to see a provider if you lose control over your bowel.
FAQs
Changes in stool texture
What is a concerning change in bowel habits? ›
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following changes in bowel habits: blood in your stool. inability to pass gas. mucus in your stool.
What kind of change in bowel habits indicate cancer? ›
The symptoms of bowel (colorectal) cancer can include: bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your poo. a change in your normal bowel habit, such as looser poo, pooing more often or constipation. a lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy (abdomen), more commonly on the right side.
When should I be worried about bowel changes? ›
See your health care provider if more-frequent bowel movements also are accompanied by any of the following signs or symptoms: Changes in the consistency, volume or appearance of your bowel movements, such as repeatedly passing narrow, ribbonlike stools or loose, watery stools. Abdominal pain.
What do unhealthy bowel movements look like? ›
What do unhealthy bowel movements look like? Unhealthy bowel movements can vary but may include diarrhea (loose, watery stools), constipation (hard, difficult-to-pass stools), or changes in frequency or texture that persist.
What does poop look like with diverticulitis? ›
Narrow or pellet-like stools: if you have advanced or severe diverticulitis, your large intestine may narrow, causing stool to become thin, narrow or pellet-shaped.
When should I be concerned about my poop? ›
A change to your stool won't always mean that you should be worried, but you should monitor it. If you have diarrhoea or constipation for more than 2 – 3 days, your stools are black, tarry, very light pale or grey in colour, or you see blood in your stool, see your doctor.
How do you know if you have a serious bowel problem? ›
Symptoms include blood on or mixed in with the stool, a change in normal bowel habits, narrowing of the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss, or constant tiredness.
What is a serious bowel condition? ›
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe conditions that cause severe tummy pain and diarrhoea. IBD is long-term, but there are treatments that can help with the symptoms. The main types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
What simple trick empties your bowels? ›
Sitting correctly on the toilet and using this technique can help you empty your bowel more easily. Lean forward on the toilet with your forearms resting on your thighs, your legs more than hip width apart and your feet raised up on a small foot stool. Repeat for up to 10 minutes only or until your bowel has emptied.
Pencil-thin stool: Narrow, pencil-thin stool could indicate a blockage in the colon, often associated with colorectal cancer. This change in shape is a red flag that warrants medical attention. Flat stool: Stools that appear flat or ribbon-like might suggest a narrowing or obstruction in the colon.
What does stress poop look like? ›
Mushy stool with fluffy pieces that have a pudding-shaped consistency is an early stage of diarrhea. This form of stool has passed through the colon quickly due to stress or a dramatic change in diet or activity level.
What do IBS stools look like? ›
If you have IBS with diarrhea, you will have frequent, loose, watery stools. You may have an urgent need to have a bowel movement, which may be hard to control. If you have IBS with constipation, you will have a hard time passing stool, as well as fewer bowel movements.
What are the symptoms of abnormal bowel problems? ›
Common symptoms include:
- A change in normal bowel habits.
- Blood on or in the stool that is either bright or dark.
- Unusual abdominal or gas pains.
- Very narrow stool.
- A feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely after passing stool.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Fatigue.
- Anemia (low blood count).
Types of bowel problems
- Common issues such as constipation and difficulties emptying the bowel, faecal incontinence, bowel urgency and diarrhoea.
- Divertucular Disease.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (e.g. Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis).
These stools are often hard and difficult to pass. Constipation may be caused by inadequate hydration, changes in diet, certain medical conditions — and much more. What happens as we age? As individuals get older, constipation may become more common.
Why am I having abnormal bowel movements? ›
Many things can affect the speed at which food waste travels through your bowels. Contributing factors include your bowel health, activity levels, eating habits, stress, medications, over-the-counter (OTC) supplements, recent antibiotic use and underlying health conditions, just to name a few.
