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The Truth About 'amoeba' Poos – And How It's Sign Your Diet Needs A Serious Rethink
SO you've probably thought about the colour, smell and even frequency of your poos - but have you considered the shape?
Well, now might be a good time to start taking a quick peak - as it can actually reveal a thing or two about your health and diet.
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'Amobea poos' suggest you need to add some fibre to your dietCredit: Getty Images - Getty2
The Bristol Stool Chart compares poo to different objectsThough everyone's number twos look different, they all usually fall within one of seven categories outlined by the Bristol Stool Chart.
The helpful guide compares stool to different objects - from artwork to (rather disgustingly) foods.
Amoeba-like poos are small and easy to pass.
Unlike runnier poos, you should still able to control when and where you expel them.
This type of poo, which comes in at number five on the Bristol Stool Chart, suggests you need to add some more fibre to your diet, according to Healthline.
Fibre helps to keep the digestive system healthy and helps prevent constipation.
It bulks up stools making them softer and easier to pass through the bowel.
Government guidelines suggests the average adult should aim to eat around 30g a day, as part of a healthy balanced diet.
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I couldn't do a number two for DAYS and blamed it on eggs - don't make my mistakeHowever, most are only managing to eat an average of about 18g day.
You can get fibre from vegetables, wholegrain pasta and bread, the NHS says.
Sausage-like poos, that are soft and easy to pass, are what Healthline calls 'the gold standard of poop'.
This is because it indicates that all is going smoothly with your digestion and that you're eating the right amount of fibre.
As GP Dr Sarah Jarvis explained: "Eating enough fibre, getting regular exercise and keeping your fluid intake up all contribute to this sort of poo.
"You're likely to be going regularly and not needing to strain."
This is type three on the Bristol Stool Chart.
Snake-shaped poops that are softer than sausage-shaped ones and easier to pass are also considered normal.
According to Healthline, you should ideally get number twos like these every one to three days.
But anything of type of poo, which comes from either end of the poo spectrum, probably means you need to make some dietary changes or see a doctor.
Coming in at number one on the chart are marble-like pellets. These look like nuts and are hard to pass.
Poos like these indicate you're constipated, as does number two on the chart.
These are caterpillar-like poos that are are long but still lumpy.
Like with amboeas, the best thing you can do for these is to eat some fibre, which can also be found in fruit, veg and cereals, according to the NHS,
It's also a good idea to hydrate and get moving - spending long periods sitting or lying down often spells disaster for your bowel habits.
Stress, anxiety and depression could also be playing a part in making your poops harder and lumpier. If you think you're suffering from any of this it could be worth speaking to your GP to see how they can help.
Both six and seven - the soft serve and Jackson Pollock of poops - very obviously indicate you've got a case of the runs, as your stool moved too quickly through your bowels to form a healthy poo.
Most cases of diarrhoea should clear up without treatment, according to the NHS, but it's a good idea to stay hydrated and to chose foods that are easy to digest.
Some foods and drinks might actually aggravate things further, including:
If your diarrhoea is severe or persists, it's a good idea to call your GP.
It's unlikely that your number twos will look exactly the same every day.
But you should look out for unexpected and prolonged changes as they could be a sign of an underlying condition like bowel cancer - especially if you're experiencing other symptoms at the same time.
Signs of bowel cancer
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed - chances are your GP has heard it all before.
Source: NHS
What Does Your Poo Say About YOU? Colour Guide Reveals The Health Clues In Stools
When people have green poo it can suggest their food is being digested too quickly
When it comes to toilet habits, everyone is different.
But, there are rules that hold true for everyone.
Now, a comprehensive guide to poo colours has been drawn up and it can reveal a lot about your health.
Faeces can be any shade from brown to green and be considered normal.
But, there are other colours that can indicate a serious problem, Gizmodo reports.
GREEN STOOLS
Green stools can be caused by many things – they often suggest food is being digested too quickly, but can also be caused by eating a lot of vegetables or green food dye.
In other cases, they can be caused by sensitivity to Anise oil or be a side effect of taking iron supplements.
White poo is caused by a shortage of bile which can result from a bile duct blockage.
For example, a gallstone can block the bile duct causing white stools.
This will also cause stomach pain, dark urine and jaundice.
YELLOW STOOLS
Yellow faeces can be produced and often is also greasy and smells of sour eggs.
This occurs when there is a lot of fat in the poo that has not been metabolised.
The can be a sign of coeliac disease and anyone with this symptom is advised to visit their doctor.
BLACK STOOLS
Many factors can cause poo to be black.
It can result from consuming liquorice or Guinness and can also be triggered by taking iron supplements.
However, having black poo can also be a sign of something more sinister.
It can be suggestive of bleeding in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract and this can be triggered by a tumour or an ulcer.
If the blackness is caused by bleeding, the poo is often also tar-like and will smell foul.
Black poo can indicate that there is bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract and this can be caused by a tumour or an ulcer
Another possible sign of health problems is bright red faeces.
OTHER COLOURS
Producing red poo is quite common and can be caused by consuming beetroot, tomatoes and cranberries.
But, it can also be a sign of bleeding lower down in the intestinal tract or of haemorrhoids.
Hard as this might be to believe, people can also produce silver stools.
Unfortunately, this is a sign of very bad intestinal health.
It can suggest a blockage in the bile duct and bleeding in the upper part of the intestines.
This is because when white poo caused by a lack of bile mixes with blood, it becomes silver.
As a result, it is recommended that anyone who notices their poo turn silver heads straight to hospital.
Drawn Back To The Sunshine State, Where My MS Symptoms Feel Better
I'm back in my happy place.
My wife, Laura, and I, along with our Yorkie-poo and our Maine Coon cat, have made it back to our Florida home after 16 hours and about 1,000 miles of driving over two days. There were no traffic jams, we had a comfortable motel bed, my multiple sclerosis (MS) bladder problems were pretty much under control, and Laura and I didn't kill each other. So it was a good trip.
It's not easy making this journey twice a year, since most of my moving is done on a mobility scooter. I also have the usual MS fatigue problems, and Laura has a horrible back. Between the two of us, we barely equal one able-bodied person. So you might wonder why we drag ourselves down here each fall.
I feel betterIt may sound crazy, but after just two days, I've returned to standing in the shower. In our Maryland home, I've been sitting while showering for the past few months.
I've also returned to standing — well, mostly — when feeding the pets in the morning. In Maryland I'd taken to performing that chore on my scooter, so I wouldn't have to squat. In Florida, however, my body feels healthier. My mind is more engaged and less stressed.
I like it hotUnlike many living with MS, the cold affects my symptoms more than the heat.
My bladder is better behaved when it's warm. My spasticity and leg cramps bother me less in warm weather, too. And it's more convenient here to swim in a pool and work out in a gym, both of which do me a world of good. I think the Florida sunshine and walking in the swimming pool help Laura, as well.
For us, 80 F is much better than 30, or even 50.
It's also a social thingSomething else in our Florida life is important, I think: social activities and a sense of community.
In Florida we live in a community of interesting people, most of whom are retired from interesting jobs, and that leads to interesting conversations. I'm not a socializer by nature, but there seems to be something about this place that encourages me to chat, or even to start a conversation.
There are activities, too. It may sound like a cliché for old people, like Laura and me, but things like bingo, trivia, and Saturday morning breakfasts in the clubhouse keep me engaged several times a week. It doesn't hurt that the breakfasts include mimosas or bloody Marys and that a bottle of wine is never out of place at the evening games and cookouts.
Maybe something else works the MS magicWho knows? Maybe it's not the sun or the temperature, nor the exercise, conversations, or fun and games. Maybe I feel better just because I'm more comfortable in my Florida bed.
MS treats each of us differently. Some of the things that make me feel better may not work for someone else with this illness. All I can do is go with my flow, and my flow leads me to the Sunshine State.
Where does your flow lead you? Please share with us in the comments below. You're also invited to check out my personal blog at www.Themswire.Com.
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
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