Bowel movements are a natural bodily function, just like sweating or urinating. They’re the final step in the digestion process and help eliminate waste from your body.
Everyone’s bowel movements change from time to time in color, consistency, and appearance. But if your bowel habits have seemed off lately, it’s important not to ignore them. Although these changes are rarely something to worry about, persistent changes in your bowel movements may indicate an underlying medical condition, such as colon cancer or diverticulitis.
At his practice in Los Angeles and Glendale, California, board-certified colon and rectal surgeon Robert G. Yavrouian, MD, regularly educates patients on healthy bowel habits. In this article, he discusses what normal bowel movements look like, highlights common changes and what they mean, and explains when changes require immediate care.
“Normal,” healthy bowel movements differ greatly in appearance, color, and consistency. However, they’re typically soft, easy to pass, and have a sausage or log-like shape.
Some people have bowel movements several times a day, while others only have them several times a week. Regardless, the frequency isn’t as important as the appearance of the stool. Knowing how to identify subtle changes in your bowel movements can help alert you to potential digestive issues and make it easier to prevent them from worsening.
Let’s take a closer look at bowel movement changes that may indicate an underlying medical issue:
Healthy stool is soft and has a consistent shape. You don’t have to push or strain yourself to pass it either. If your bowel movements are hard and lumpy, loose and watery, or greasy and oily, and these changes last more than a few days, it may indicate digestive problems.
For example, if you have to strain to pass a bowel movement, you might have constipation. Loose or watery stool, on the other hand, is often caused by diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while abnormally oily stool may indicate a malabsorption issue from Crohn’s or another type of inflammatory bowel disease.
Temporary changes after a big meal or a night of drinking are usually nothing to worry about, but ongoing changes require a doctor’s evaluation.
Bowel movements are typically brown, so a change in color is often the first sign someone notices.
Red stool may indicate hemorrhoids or bleeding in the colon or rectum, while green or yellow stool may be caused by foods you ate, such as leafy greens, or digestive issues, such as fat malabsorption.
Black or very dark stool can also be worrisome and may be a side effect of medication or bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Light or pale stool may indicate bile, pancreas, or liver issues.
As with consistency, a random change in stool color likely isn’t something to lose sleep over. However, if the changes persist, it’s important to consult a doctor.
Another sign to watch for is increases or decreases in frequency. If you typically pass stool several times a day and that frequency slows to once every few days, or you usually have a bowel movement a few times a week and the frequency increases to several times daily, it’s important to understand why. These changes can provide clues about your digestive health and make it easier to identify problems early.
Increased bowel movement frequency can often be attributed to nerves or stress, while decreased frequency is a common symptom of constipation. Either way, if these changes continue for more than a week, schedule an appointment with Dr. Yavrouian.
Many bowel changes are a natural result of digestion, and in most cases, they aren’t cause for concern. Contact us immediately if your symptoms:
After reviewing your health history, asking about your symptoms, and completing a comprehensive exam, Dr. Yavrouian can identify the cause and make personalized treatment recommendations.
To schedule your appointment today, call the nearest office or book online with Robert G. Yavrouian, MD.
