6 Ways Your Poop Is Telling You to See a Gastroenterologist

Reviewed by Dietitian Jane Leverich, M.S., RDN

Key Points

• Black, tarry stool or blood in your stool can signal GI bleeding and needs prompt evaluation.

• Persistent diarrhea, constipation or nighttime bowel movements may warrant medical attention.

• A lasting change in your bowel habits, especially with pain or unexplained weight loss, deserves a checkup.

While you can’t exactly call the toilet bowl a crystal ball, it’s never a bad idea to take a peek at your poop. Your solid waste might be telling you something about your wellness. “Poop is one of the important indicators of digestive health,” says Sandhya Shukla, M.D. “Any persistent change either in consistency or frequency may be a sign of an underlying disease.”

Though Shukla emphasizes that the appearance of feces varies from day to day—and not every change is cause for alarm—if you notice consistent, distinct shifts in your “output,” it’s probably time to see the doctor. Here are six ways your poo might be giving you a clue.

1. You’re Having Dark, Tarry Stool

Again, some variation in your poop (even of color) is normal. But very dark, tarry-looking stool is a sign you shouldn’t ignore. “Black, tarry stool can indicate bleeding higher in the digestive tract and warrants urgent medical assessment, especially with weakness, dizziness, fainting, abdominal pain or vomiting blood,” says Edmundo Rodriguez-Frias, M.D. Unusually dark stool may point to a stomach ulcer, inflammation of the stomach or esophagus, vascular lesions or even cancer.

As for why stool may be black, not red, with bleeding? When digestive enzymes interact with hemoglobin, a primary component of blood, they can darken its color.

2. There’s Red Blood in Your Stool

Not all bleeding in the GI tract will appear dark. Sometimes, it shows up as regular old red. Causes of visible blood in the stool can range from simple things like hemorrhoids to more sinister possibilities, says Shukla. Bright red blood often indicates a problem in the lower GI tract, including the duodenum, the colon, rectum and the anal canal. “This should never be ignored, and an evaluation by a gastroenterologist should be scheduled,” Shukla says.

3. You’re Having Watery Diarrhea

In some cases, loose stool may mean more than just a meal disagreeing with you. “Persistent watery diarrhea may reflect infection, medication effects, inflammation or malabsorption,” says Rodriguez-Frias. If you’re having loose, watery bowel movements three or more times per day, you’re officially experiencing diarrhea. And if you’re also having fever, dehydration, severe pain or blood, Rodriguez-Frias says it’s time to seek medical care.

4. You’re Getting Up Overnight to Go

Getting up to go in the middle of the night? It might be a wake-up call for your health. Nighttime bowel movements may reflect an inflammatory condition like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or microscopic colitis, according to Shukla. “[This] requires further workup, such as stool tests and likely a colonoscopy.”

5. Your BMs Are Few and Far Between

When it comes to your No. 2s, remember the number three. Similar to diarrhea, which is defined by three or more watery bowel movements per day, constipation is defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week.

Having a reduced frequency—or hard, pebbly stool that’s difficult to pass—could simply be a matter of stress, travel or a temporary diet change. But if it becomes chronic, it’s worth getting checked out. “Ongoing hard, lumpy stools, straining or incomplete emptying may indicate constipation that needs assessment if it persists or is new,” says Rodriguez-Frias. Chronic constipation can lead to complications like rectal prolapse, fecal impaction and hemorrhoids. In the long term, it can also raise the risk of colon cancer.

6. Any Significant, Persistent Changes to Your Bowel Habits

Whether it’s a sudden slowdown, a shade of black in the bowl, or diarrhea that won’t go away, any major, sustained change to your bowel habits (without an identifiable cause like a new medication) is reason to see your primary care doctor or gastroenterologist. “For example, going from a once-daily bowel movement to skipping several days without one can signal a developing obstruction, which can happen due to any narrowing or growth in the colon,” says Shukla.

Other changes like new-onset abdominal pain, sense of urgency or weight loss should also be evaluated. Your provider can conduct a proper exam and perform the right tests for a diagnosis (or to rule things out).

Tips for Supporting Bowel Health

As you keep tabs on the appearance of your poop, it’s also wise to keep up with healthy habits for digestion. Gastroenterologists recommend these lifestyle strategies:

• Eat a high-fiber diet. Fiber helps bulk up your stool, making it easier to pass. It also supports a thriving gut microbiome, which has ripple effects on overall health.

• Drinking plenty of fluids. Rodriguez-Frias says hydration helps fiber do its job in the gut, reducing the chance of hard stool from dehydration.

• Limiting certain foods. A gut-friendly diet isn’t just about what you do eat—it’s also about what you don’t eat. “Limit red and processed meats, ultra processed food and added sugars,” recommends Shukla. These are known for disrupting the gut microbiome.

• Staying active. Moving your body helps stimulate intestinal motility—aka the movement of your digestive tract.

• Tuning into your circadian rhythm. “Your digestive system follows a circadian pattern,” says Shukla. “Defecation most commonly occurs in the morning, as your colon has a natural ‘brake’ that suppresses the urge to defecate overnight.” She suggests aligning your eating with daytime hours and avoiding late-night meals.

Our Expert Take

It may not be the most pleasant prospect, but don’t be afraid to take stock of your stool. A quick glance can separate what’s normal from what’s not. Just remember that, as Rodriguez-Frias says, “Stool cannot diagnose a condition by itself.” Leave that part to your PCP or gastro. With the right diagnostic tools, they can get to the bottom of the issue—literally.

Read the original article on EatingWell