What does it mean when you poop and it is different sizes, colors, and textures?

5 Comments

1. The Other Lover says:

   January 7, 2010 at 5:33 am

   It’s your diet. Stop eating Cheetos.
2. pacsunlvr06 says:

   January 7, 2010 at 5:33 am

   7 dollars for the test!
3. Chalest M says:

   January 7, 2010 at 5:33 am

   GO TO THE DOCTOR HUNNY
4. WickedWednesday says:

   January 7, 2010 at 5:33 am

   WHAT IS FECES?

   Feces is a fancy way to describe something that is not so fancy. To put it plainly, feces is poop, the matter that is discharged from the bowels and hopefully into a diaper or toilet bowl. You may have also heard to it referred to as crap or stool. Feces are a waste product or substance that is excreted from the digestive tract. Feces are formed in the digestive tract and sent out through the rectum (rear end).

   WHAT ARE FECES MADE OF?

   If you have ever wondered what feces are made of, you have come to the right place. Feces are mostly made of water (about 75%). The rest is made of dead bacteria that helped us digest our food, living bacteria, protein, undigested food residue (known as fiber), waste material from food, cellular linings, fats, salts, and substances released from the intestines (such as mucus) and the liver. Although feces are made up of about 75% water, this number varies from person to person, depending on how long the feces stay in the intestine. Since the intestines absorb water from the feces, diarrhea (poop that passes quickly through the intestines) will contain more water and retained feces (which stay in the intestines for a longer amount of time) will contain less. Another point worth mentioning is that fiber helps feces pass along the intestine.

   HOW OFTEN DOES THE AVERAGE PERSON POOP?

   The best way to answer this question is with a normal range, since there is variation from person to person. The normal range for daily pooping is from three times a day to once every three days. Therefore, it would be fair to say that the average person poops about once a day. When someone poops four times a day or more and the poop has a liquid consistency, this is referred to as diarrhea. When someone poops less than two or three days a week and the poop is hard, dry, and difficult to pass, this is known as constipation.

   WHAT DO THE BACTERIA INSIDE OF FECES LOOK LIKE?

   The bacteria inside of feces can take many different shapes and appearances. Below is a picture of a common type of bacteria found in feces known as fecal coliform bacteria:

   WHAT MAKES FECES SMELL SO BAD?

   The bacteria inside of the feces is what makes them smell so bad. Specifically, the bacteria produce various compounds and gases that lead to the infamous smell of feces. Just in case you were wondering, you can get very sick by eating feces because it contains so many types of bacteria and other harmful substances such as parasites. So we wouldn’t suggest adding feces to your diet any time soon.

   CAN I REDUCE THE BAD SMELL OF MY FECES?

   Yes. Feces will vary in smell depending on the type of foods and drinks that you consume. Generally speaking, feces will smell worse if you consume foods or liquids with many artificial flavors or chemicals in them. The bad smell of feces will usually be reduced by eating more natural foods that do not contain any artificial flavors or chemicals. Remember, however, that these are general guidelines that vary from person. The only way to know for sure is to monitor the smell of feces depending on the types of foods in the diet and to see if the smell changes when certain foods are removed or added.

   IS IT TRUE THAT SOME PEOPLE GET SEXUALLY EXCITED BY FECES?

   Believe it or not, this is true, and is referred to in psychiatry as coprophilia. Coprophilia is an abnormal attraction to and interest in filth and feces (poop). Sometimes, the interest and attraction to filth and poop takes on a sexual component and leads to sexual excitement. We’ll leave the rest to your imagination. Psychiatry is the study of the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the mind, emotions, and behavior.

   WHY ARE FECES BROWNISH-YELLOW IN COLOR?

   Feces are mostly shades of brown or yellow because they are also made up of an orange-yellow substance called bilirubin that is present throughout the body and particularly in the intestine. When iron combines with bilirubin, it gives it a brown color. The iron-influenced bilirubin then combines with the feces and turns it brown.

   WHAT CAUSES FECES TO BE MOSTLY YELLOW?

   One condition that can cause yellow poop is an infection known as giardia. Giardia are tiny organisms that are also parasites. Parasites are organisms that live in or on another organism to obtain nourishment. If giardia infects the intestines it can cause severe yellow diarrhea. This is a dangerous infection that can spread to others. In fact doctors that see it have to report it to the government’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
   Another cause of yellow poop is a condition known as Gilbert’s syndrome. This condition is characterized by jaundice (a yellow discoloration of the skin) and hyperbilirubinemia. Hyperbilirubinemia is when too much of a substance known as bilirubin (a red pigment secreted by the liver) is present in the circulating blood. Since bilirubin is an orange-yellow color, too much bilrubin in the blood
5. Ghee says:

   January 7, 2010 at 5:33 am

   Fluctuating BM’s are normal – blood is not – At 23, you could get tested – and at least have a Dr. aware of your family history. They may recommend a colonoscopy when you’re a little older -