When we start eating, food enters the stomach from the esophagus and begins to be digested, the small intestine absorbs substances that are beneficial to the body, and the remaining food debris enters the colon.
In the colon, most of the water in food scraps is absorbed and reused by the colon. Food debris loses moisture and gradually concentrates, forming feces that are excreted from the body.
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A stool that is normally passed should have these characteristics
In terms of color, the stool should ideally be yellow or yellowish-brown. This natural color is the result of the oxidation of bilirubin in bile after food has been digested.
However, slight changes in color don't have to be too much of a concern. For example, if you eat a lot of iron-containing foods in your diet, your stool may appear dark black because iron combines with sulfides in the intestines during digestion to form black iron sulfide.
Similarly, if the diet is heavy on meat, the stool may appear brownish-yellow, while if there is too much dairy intake, the stool may appear yellowish.
In shape, healthy stool should be in the form of strips, with a moderate texture, neither too hard nor too soft. Such feces do not stick when flushing toilets and are able to float easily on the surface of the water.
This is because healthy stools contain the right amount of water, which not only ensures smooth expulsion, but also avoids problems of being too dry or too moist.
In terms of smell, a normal stool will have a slight smell. This is because during digestion, the proteins in the food scraps are broken down by the intestinal flora, producing some flavorful substances. And if you have a high intake of meat in your diet, the smell of your stool may be stronger.
Finally, the feeling of bowel movement is also an important indicator of whether the stool is normal or not. Normally, bowel movements should be a relaxed, natural process that doesn't require excessive straining or time-consuming.
Generally speaking, being able to have a bowel movement within 5 minutes and feeling relaxed and comfortable after a bowel movement indicates that the stool is in a healthy state.
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What is the problem with the stool being "dry and hard in the front and soft and sticky in the back"? Reminder: It may be related to 4 kinds of problems
The liver is hot
A strong liver fire can lead to a rapid loss of water in the body, which can lead to dry stools. When dry stools are excreted, subsequent stools have not completely lost their water and therefore appear as soft stools. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to adjusting dietary habits and increasing water intake to alleviate the symptoms of liver fire.
Heavy moisture
Heavy moisture can deprive the digestive system of necessary body fluids, resulting in dry stools in the front. At the same time, excessive moisture will also cause the body to produce excess water, which cannot be effectively metabolized out of the body, which will make the subsequent stool covered by water, and finally show a hard stool and then soft stool. In response to this situation, it is necessary to adjust the diet and increase the intake of foods that strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness, such as barley, red beans, etc.
Severe constipation
In constipation, the stool becomes dry due to poor bowel movements, and the stool remains in the intestines to be reabsorbed. The newly produced stool is relatively soft, so the stool will be hard and then soft. In order to relieve constipation, it is recommended to increase the intake of dietary fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise moderately to promote intestinal peristalsis.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of intestinal function that can cause indigestion and altered stool status. During the course of the disease, people may pass dry stools at first, which will later become soft or diarrheal. If you suspect that you have irritable bowel syndrome, you should seek medical attention in time and carry out symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a doctor.
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To relieve constipation, learn 4 tricks
The problem of constipation not only affects our physical health, but it can also lead to mental stress. In order to get rid of this problem, we need to learn four tips to help us relieve constipation and thus maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Eat a healthy diet
It is the key to relieving constipation. We should consume enough dietary fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, to increase the bulk and softness of the stool.
In addition, it is necessary to avoid excessive intake of foods that are high in fat, sugar, and fiber, so as not to increase the burden on the intestines. At the same time, moderate intake of probiotics and prebiotics can help maintain the balance of intestinal flora and promote intestinal peristalsis.
Maintain adequate hydration
Adequate fluid intake can help soften stools and reduce the occurrence of constipation. We should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and adjust the amount of water we drink appropriately according to factors such as temperature, amount of exercise, etc. In addition, you can also increase your water intake by consuming water-rich foods such as watermelon, cucumber, etc.
Be active
Moderate exercise can promote intestinal peristalsis and speed up the expulsion of stool. We can choose light exercises such as walking, jogging, yoga, etc., 3-5 times a week, for about 30 minutes each time. In addition, you can also try an abdominal massage, which gently massages the abdomen in a clockwise direction to help stimulate intestinal peristalsis.
Develop good bowel habits
We should have a bowel movement at a fixed time and try to avoid bowel movements when we are busy or stressful. When having a bowel movement, keep a relaxed mind and avoid overexertion. If you have trouble having a bowel movement, you can try an adjunct such as a cork dew, but you need to use it with your doctor's advice.
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Read more: What is the matter with the stool being like a "sheep dung ball"?
Poop in the shape of a "sheep dung ball" is actually constipation. The reason is that when the feces remain in the intestines for too long, the water it contains is gradually absorbed by the intestines, and eventually it becomes dry and firm, like a ball of sheep dung.
This phenomenon is particularly prevalent among middle-aged and elderly people. As we age, the body's intestinal function gradually weakens, and the balance of microflora in the intestine may also be disrupted.
At this time, poor eating habits, insufficient exercise, or too little water intake may cause the elderly to become extremely difficult to defecate.
The lack of dietary fiber in the diet slows down the movement of stool through the intestines, and the lack of exercise weakens the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, further exacerbating the symptoms of constipation. The lack of water intake directly leads to the drying of stools, which increases the risk of constipation.
What is even more worrying is that some elderly people do not go to the toilet in time for various reasons when they feel the urge to defecate. This habit can make stool stay in the intestines for longer, further exacerbating the symptoms of constipation.