"What Defines a Healthy Bowel Movement? Achieving 5 of These Criteria Puts You in the Superhuman Zone!"

Defecation is a daily routine. Observing the expelled feces is the most effective way to understand the health status of the body. Based on the color, shape, and smell of feces, you can roughly gauge the condition of your body. Healthy feces need to meet seven criteria. Let's see if your feces meet the standards.

Key Points of Healthy Defecation:

1. Frequency of Defecation

Generally, adults defecate 1-2 times a day, while some individuals may defecate every two to three days. If you defecate more than three times a day with unformed, loose stool, it indicates diarrhea. Defecating less than three times a week, accompanied by dry stool and difficulty in excretion, is constipation. Intestinal inflammation, lactose intolerance, parasites, colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome can cause diarrhea and constipation. Further medical examination is needed to determine the underlying cause.

2. Color of Feces

Under normal circumstances, feces are yellow or brownish-yellow. Dark-colored, bloody, or black feces suggest gastrointestinal bleeding, commonly seen in duodenal ulcers, gastrointestinal cancers, hemorrhoids, and intestinal polyps. Pale-colored feces, resembling clay, indicate biliary obstruction, often seen in gallstones, pancreatic cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma.

3. Texture of Feces

Healthy feces are soft and banana-shaped. When dehydrated, feces become dry and hard, resembling sheep droppings. Excessive moisture in feces leads to unformed stool or diarrhea. Grooved or thin feces may indicate intestinal stenosis, hemorrhoids, or intestinal tumors.

4. Absence of Foreign Bodies in Feces

Feces containing only mucus warrants caution for conditions like colitis, intestinal polyps, and intestinal cancer. Parasitic infections, such as roundworm or ascaris, should also be considered. Excess fat or foam in feces, with a layer of oil floating on top, indicates increased fat content due to abnormal fat absorption in the small intestine, commonly seen in conditions like indigestion, chronic pancreatitis, and celiac disease. Undigested food residues like corn kernels, vegetables, or fruits may suggest maldigestion or short bowel syndrome.

5. Duration of Defecation

Typically, defecation should take less than 5 minutes, ideally completed within 3 minutes. Prolonged defecation, exceeding 15 minutes, is abnormal and indicative of constipation, particularly outlet obstructive constipation. Rectal prolapse, pelvic floor relaxation, and motor dysfunction of the muscles controlling defecation can also contribute to constipation. Focus during defecation and avoid distractions like using phones or reading newspapers.

6. Odor of Feces

Feces usually have no or a mild odor. Offensive odors may be related to diet, such as consuming excessive amounts of beef, pork, seafood, or sulfur-containing foods like garlic, onions, asparagus, and leeks. A rotten meat-like odor should raise concerns about intestinal diseases like ulcers, polyps, inflammation, or, more seriously, intestinal tumors.

7. Feeling After Defecation

After defecation, one should feel relieved. However, some people may feel a sense of incomplete evacuation or urgency without being able to pass more stool, known as tenesmus, commonly seen in conditions like hemorrhoids, anal fistula, intestinal polyps, and ulcerative rectitis. Further medical diagnosis is advised.

Gentle Reminder: Cultivate a regular bowel movement habit, consume foods rich in dietary fiber, and maintain smooth bowel movements. Promptly consult a doctor if you notice sudden changes in bowel habits to determine whether they are related to intestinal diseases.