Although it may seem odd, it is important to take a look at your stools because they can tell a lot about your health, especially the condition of your digestive system. Even if this subject is little discussed, because considered taboo and unpleasant, know that checking your stool is a reflex of hygiene that can save you many inconveniences.
What is normal stools?
The color, odor, composition and consistency of your stools are a reflection of your health and it is essential to be able to interpret them as they can help you prevent certain ailments.
According to the definition dating from the 1950s, the so-called "ideal" saddle looks like a sausage four centimeters thick and is about twenty centimeters long. As for its color, it depends on the types of food you are used to ingested; It will be brown if you are rather carnivorous and clear if you are adept at dairy and vegetarian diets.
Nowadays, it is rare that the stools necessarily enter the boxes of this definition because the eating habits have changed and are constantly evolving. The stools tend to be too light, too dark, foul, hard, soft or liquid.
The faeces are mainly composed of water and dry matter containing bacteria, fibers and impurities that the body needs to evacuate.
Be aware that the nature of your stools most often depends on the foods you have eaten the day before, and if you notice a change when you go to the toilet but it is of short duration, no need to panic. This is surely due to a particular food and everything should come in order quickly.
On the other hand, if they do not regain their normal color and texture after a certain time, it may be a harbinger of a pathology you are suffering from. In this case, it is recommended to consult your doctor as soon as possible in order to determine the causes and find the appropriate treatment.
Here are the possible causes responsible for the permanent change of your stools:
Hard and heavy stools
If your stools are placed directly on the bottom of the toilet bowl, this shows a lack of dietary fiber and low hydration. The reason why they are dark is because they are stored too long in the intestines because of the slowness of your transit. It is therefore advisable to consume foods rich in fiber such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains and to drink plenty of water and herbal teas (up to two liters per day).
Black stools
When you go to the toilet, if you notice a foul odor coming out of your stool, and in addition these are black in color, this is either a sign of intestinal bleeding or an ulcer, Stomach, or tumor. It is therefore necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible to carry out the analyzes necessary to determine the nature of the evil of which you suffer.
However, if you are taking dietary supplements that contain iron, it is normal for your stools to be black. What is not normal on the other hand is that they have a strong odor.
Light yellow stools
If you notice that your stools are very clear, this is linked to a malfunction of your pancreas. Indeed, the quantity of pancreatic salts necessary for the absorption of fat is insufficient, this leads to the manufacture of yellow stools. It is very likely that you are suffering from gluten intolerance, cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.
Brown stools containing blood
The presence of blood in the stool can be disturbing, and for good reason it can mean that you suffer from intestinal bleeding caused either by a tumor or by an ulcer that is in your colon. They may also indicate the presence of ulcerative colitis or be a symptom of Crohn's disease.
For healthy stools, eat a balanced, high-fiber diet, drink at least 2 L of water a day and enjoy regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes of walking per day). Your intestinal transit will be healthy and your body hydrated.