You’re probably not surprised to hear that red poop can mean bleeding, either due to hemorrhoids or to bleeding in the lower intestinal tract. If your stool is a little red, however, there may be no need to immediately fret. That said, some people do spend a bit more time on the toilet, so as a general rule, a poop should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes. Frequency There is a range of reasons why a person may experience poop that is different from usual, including: Stress That could be in the form of, sometimes, hemorrhoids, present with bright red blood in the toilet paper or bright red blood in the toilet bowl, but not necessarily mixed in with the stool,” she added. Medium to dark brown: It contains a pigment called bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down.

Strong-smelling: Bacteria in excrement emit gases that contain the unpleasant odor associated with poop. Again, the first sign of either of these should not be immediate cause for concern, but keep an eye on it and see if it lasts more than a few days.

Light-colored stool

If your stool is yellow, or more likely, contains yellow droplets (seen floating on the toilet bowl), it is a sign of fat in the stool. It can also have a bad odor and a greasy texture. You may see noticeable amounts of fat in your stool when it’s not absorbed properly by the body. Yellow stool can be a sign you’re having malabsorption issues—along with other signs like difficulty maintaining or gaining weight.

Try magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide often treats constipation. It is safe for most people, although doctors do not recommend it for people with renal insufficiency.

Type 4

https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/easy-ways-to-boost-fiber-in-your-daily-diet Not drinking enough water and other fluids can lead to constipation, as stool requires moisture to move more easily through the digestive tract. Too much caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration.

Take probiotics: Probiotics may help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut. Although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics, these beneficial bacteria are in capsule form. It may seem like red would be a more likely color for this sort of concern, but since it’s taken a while to travel down, it’s older and therefore darker. Green Some people will note that they’re associated with a bad smell, as well,” she added. The color “could indicate that there’s a poor absorption of fats, and that could be from celiac disease, pancreatic conditions or certain infections.” Red poop is a bigger concern because “there’s maybe some bleeding from lower down, so the colon or the rectum,” Yadlapati said. Usually, gastroenterologists think blood in poop is coming from lower in the colon or rectum because poop red from blood would indicate the blood hasn’t yet had time to change color. Fiber acts as a binding substance to give stool its form. It also helps poop to move smoothly through the digestive tract. A diet low in fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can lead to bowel problems.Ghassemi KA, Jensen DM. Lower GI bleeding: epidemiology and management. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2013;15(7):333. doi:10.1007/s11894-013-0333-5 Indicates: This is the gold standard of poop, especially if it’s somewhat soft and easy to pass. Type 4: Snake

Foods with orange coloring, such as sodas, candy, or gelatin dessert, can also give your poop an orange color. Alongside the above causes of constipation, it may also result from lifestyle or routine changes such as physical inactivity or the overuse of laxatives. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Your digestive system and how it works. Santos Silva E, Moreira Silva H, Azevedo Lijnzaat L, et al. Clinical practices among healthcare professionals concerning neonatal jaundice and pale stools. Eur J Pediatr. 2017;176(3):361-369. doi:10.1007/s00431-016-2847-yNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of GI bleeding. Some medications and supplements can affect the color of your poop as a side effect. But if what you’ve consumed likely isn’t the cause, here’s what you should know — and when to see a doctor. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.