What your poo reveals about your health (Yes, look at it!)
Gut health is an important indicator of your general health.
Woman texting on toilet, gut health. Pexels/Miriam Alonso
CapeTalk's Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined by leading gastroenterologist Dr Desiree Moodley.
Talking about your bowel movements may make you uncomfortable, but gut health is an important indicator of your general health.
In the interests of monitoring this, look at your poop! says Dr Desiree Moodley, gastroenterologist from Tygerberg Hospital.
Your gut consists of many organs, she explains, which work together as a family.
Dr Moodley also notes that while we tend to associate the 'feel-good' chemical serotonin with the brain, more than 90% is actually found in our gut.
"You've got your stomach, your intestines... but you also have your liver and your pancreas and your bowel system. When something's going on with your stool it shows that there might be a bit of a disruption in that. It's almost like a report card telling you how your body's doing."
Dr Desiree Moodley, Gastroenterologist
"There's nothing wrong with poo. You should be looking at it and it's a free test - just turn around and there you go!"
Dr Desiree Moodley, Gastroenterologist
Doctors use the Bristol stool chart which goes from 1-7, as an indicator.
The numbers 3 and 4 are where you want to be.
"Numbers 1 and 2 are hard little nuggets or very hard stool; 3 and 4 are sausage-shaped and smooth. As you're going down to 5, 6 and 7 it becomes mushier and then 7 is just pure water."
Dr Desiree Moodley, Gastroenterologist
What are the signs we should be looking out for that indicate something might be wrong?
The colour of your poo is an important factor, Dr Moodley says.
She explains that the digestive acid bile which is usually a yellow-green colour, becomes brown, which is why brown stool is normal.
While a change in colour could be caused by something innocuous like eating a lot of leafy green veggies or beetroot, there are some danger signs which would need checking with a doctor.
These include a red colour caused by fresh blood, stool that is black, or paler than usual.
"If it's black, tarry, and very smelly that can mean there's bleeding from higher up because the blood undergoes digestion. Also know that iron tablets can cause black stool as well."
Dr Desiree Moodley, Gastroenterologist
"If it's paler, almost clay-coloured, that means the bile is not getting through, so something is wrong."
Dr Desiree Moodley, Gastroenterologist
She emphasizes that ANY change in your usual bowel habits could indicate that you have a problem.
Then there are associated symptoms to watch out for like new pain and losing weight.
A family history of colon cancer is also something to be aware of.
Very important: From the age of 45 you should be having a screening colonoscopy every ten years.
Dr Moodley also covers tips to train and regulate your bowel - take a listen in the interview audio at the top of the article