This may be a bit of a strange topic to talk about, but our bowel movements are actually a big part of our health . Although we don't talk about changes in them much, it's important to be aware of them. While some small changes are normal, sometimes they can be a sign of something more serious going on inside our bodies. So today, let's talk about this a little more openly.
What is this change in 'bowel habits'?
Simply put, a change in your bowel habits (i.e., appearance, frequency) is what we call a 'change in bowel habits'. Small changes are usually nothing to worry about. But if you notice big changes, it could be a sign that it's time to make some changes to your lifestyle. These changes give us clues about what's going on inside our bodies. They could also be a sign of a health condition that needs to be reported to a doctor.
We mainly need to be concerned about these four types of changes:
1. Color of stool
2. Thickness (nature) of stools
3. Frequency of bowel movements
4. Ability to control bowel movements
What are the main changes that can be seen in stool?
Let's look at this table to understand this a little more clearly.
| The section that sees changes | Normal condition and changes to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Color | It is usually brown in color. It can vary slightly depending on what you eat. If you continue to have dark red, tarry black, clay-colored, or pale stools, see a doctor. If they look like light red streaks, it could be rectal bleeding. |
| Consistency | Normally, stool should be thick and soft. Hard stools, like rocks, are a sign of constipation. If they are watery, like water, they are a sign of diarrhea. If both of these persist for more than two weeks, it is not normal. |
| Frequency | This is different for everyone. Some people go several times a day. Others go once or twice a week. But as a general rule, it's not good to go more than three days without a bowel movement. That's when the stool becomes thicker and harder to pass. |
| Control | Normally, you should be able to control your bowel movements or hold them in. When you lose this control, it is called fecal incontinence . This condition is common as you get older. If this happens, you should definitely see a doctor. |
Why is this happening? What are the reasons?
The main reason for this is something we can control. That is our lifestyle. Things like eating less high-fiber foods, drinking less water, not exercising, suddenly exercising too much, and stress have a direct impact on this. Changing these habits usually returns the bowel movement pattern to normal.
Next, medications are also a major cause of this. Some medications can cause diarrhea or constipation as a side effect. This condition usually goes away once the medication is stopped.
The most important thing is, if you think a medication you're taking is causing this change, never stop taking it on your own. Be sure to talk to your doctor for advice.
In addition to these things, various medical conditions can also cause changes in bowel habits.
- Anal Fissures: A tear in the skin of the anus. You may see bright red blood in your stool or on the toilet paper.
- Bowel Obstruction: This is a medical emergency. It occurs when something gets stuck in the intestines. Symptoms include constipation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Celiac disease: A condition in which eating gluten (found in wheat products) causes digestive problems.
- Colon Cancer: Symptoms may include blood in the stool, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and a frequent need to defecate.
- Colon Polyps: These may not cause symptoms, but they can sometimes cause constipation, diarrhea, and bleeding.
- Diverticulitis: An infection of the small pouches in the large intestine. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, constipation, and bleeding.
- Endocrine Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism can cause constipation.
- Food Intolerance: When you can't digest certain foods, it can cause diarrhea and stomach pain. An example is lactose intolerance, which is the inability to digest milk and dairy products.
- Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins inside or outside the rectum. You may see a small amount of light red blood with your stool.
- Infections: Viruses, bacteria, and parasites can cause symptoms such as diarrhea.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A group of diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are examples of this type of disease.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A combination of symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
- Liver and gallbladder diseases: These diseases can cause pale stools .
- Neurologic Conditions: Diseases that affect the brain and spinal cord (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease) can cause the muscles needed to pass stool to not receive the proper signals.
When should we see a doctor?
This is the most important part. It is very important to know when to stay home, when to call a doctor, and when to go to the Emergency Department (ETU).
| Opportunity | Symptoms to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Talk to your doctor. |
|
| Go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. |
|
Do things like age and pregnancy affect this?
Yes, it definitely has an impact.
Aging
The risk of constipation increases with age. The risk of fecal incontinence also increases after the age of 65. This is because the muscles that help with this process weaken with age.
Pregnancy period
During pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, the weight of the baby can put pressure on the intestines and cause constipation. About 39% of pregnant women experience this.
Menopause
During the period before menopause (perimenopause) and after menopause, there are major changes in the body's hormone levels. These hormonal changes can also affect the digestive system. Therefore, you may see changes in bowel habits.
But, remember, when you see a change like this, don't just assume, "It's probably because of hormones." It's best to see a doctor to make sure it's nothing serious.
Take-Home Message
- What is "normal" when it comes to bowel movements varies from person to person. The important thing is to know what is normal for you .
- If you notice a persistent change in the color, thickness, frequency, or control of your stools, don't ignore it.
- Many changes are due to lifestyle habits. Drink plenty of water, eat a high-fiber diet, and exercise.
- Avoid straining when defecating. Don't put off having a bowel movement until later when you feel the need to defecate.
- Always be aware of warning signs such as blood in the stool, tarry black stools, unexplained weight loss, and severe abdominal pain. In such cases, see your doctor immediately.
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