How do bowels move

But while constipation is infrequent bowel activity or difficulty passing stool, diarrhea refers to loose or watery stools. Different factors can trigger either symptom, such as:. Regardless of the underlying cause, though, constipation and diarrhea occur when intestinal contractions either speed up or slow down.

Gut contractions help move stool through the colon. But sometimes, the muscles contract too much or too little. However, if constipation or diarrhea become your consistent stool pattern, speak with a primary care doctor. They may recommend treatments or refer you to a specialist called a gastroenterologist who can perform further testing.

While it may not look like it, poop is about three-fourths water. The remainder is a collection of materials that includes:. Bilirubin is what gives poop its usual brown color. If this goes on for too long, it starts to pose a risk to your safety and can damage your organs. This is why pooping is so important for your health. Pooping is part physical, part mental. Water and fiber: These are two major components of poop that are part of your diet.

Making efforts to drink more water daily can help make your bowel movements easier to pass. This adds bulk to your stool, which stimulates the bowels to move and propel your stool forward. Foods that contain fiber include:. Instead, try to add a serving every 5 days to allow your digestive tract time to acclimate itself to the increased fiber. When this is the case, cutting out foods that can irritate the stomach can help. Examples to cut from your diet include:.

Try cutting out these foods to see if your bowel movements are less watery. You can also keep a food and symptom diary to identify connections between the foods you eat and the symptoms you experience.

Your intestines have a natural motion that moves stool forward. These include:. There are many potential causes of an impaired defecation reflex, and each has a different treatment.

This causes your stool to become hardened and difficult to pass. Ignoring the defecation reflex can also result in constipation.

Chronic constipation increases the likelihood you will experience other intestinal side effects, such as an intestinal blockage from built-up stool. Whenever possible, you should take steps to make stool easy to pass. This can include drinking plenty of water and eating high-fiber foods, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Another treatment is biofeedback. Also known as neuromuscular training, this involves using special sensors that measure pressure in the rectum and signal when the pressure is enough for a person to use the bathroom. Having these pressure sensors available can help a person identify the signs that they should be going to the bathroom.

If you are ultimately diagnosed with a defecation disorder, your doctor will help to address any underlying disease if present. Dietary and physical activity changes as well as medications or biofeedback can also help.

Is there an average number of times a day you should poop, and what are some of the factors that affect frequency? The details of your poop can provide clues to your state of health. Learn what the sight, smell, size, color, and shape of your poop can tell you. Got green poop? There are a few possible causes, from common foods to underlying conditions, such as anal fissures.

Learn what typical bowel movements should include, as well as tips to poop more…. Laxatives can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements. Learn more about natural laxatives. Start Here. Diagnosis and Tests. Treatments and Therapies.

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