
What your stool says about your health GP shares clues hiding in the toilet bowl
Speaking about our toilet habits is normally a topic of conversation Brits shy away from. But while often overlooked, understanding your bowel movements and what is happening in the toilet bowl can be beneficial to your health.
Our stools can reveal a lot about diet, gut, fluid intake, and even stress levels. From green to grey to worrying red, what you see before you flush could be trying to tell you something.
Whether it's diet, stress, gut bugs or something more serious like bowel cancer, changes in colour, texture or frequency are often the first warning signs.
And while there is no perfect bowel movement, there are some things to look out for. For example, it's normal to pass a stool every day up to every three days, however, it should be soft and easy to pass.
You also shouldn't need to strain or be experiencing any pain.
Dr Bhavini Shah, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor is lifting the lid on what your poo says about your health.
What does the colour of my stool mean?
Brown
A brown stool indicates that a bowel movement is normal and healthy and should not be cause for concern as long as no other symptoms are present.
Green
A green stool might be caused by digesting leafy green vegetables, eating or drinking products that contain green food dye, or taking antibiotics. However, green faeces can indicate illnesses such as gastroenteritis.
Yellow
Yellow stools can indicate an infection within the bowel. Issues with the pancreas may also lead to a yellow stool. This can be due to the reduction in either the production or secretion of pancreatic enzymes into the digestive system.
Grey/Pale
Stools that are pale, clay, or putty-coloured may be due to problems in the biliary system. The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.
A grey stool can result from medications that provide relief from diarrhoea or indicate liver or pancreas issues due to blocked ducts - it can also be caused by cancer or non- canerous (benign) tumours of the liver, biliary system, or pancreas.
Red
It is very important to get a red stool checked, as it can also be a sign of rectal bleeding, which can also indicate bowel cancer. Other bowel cancer symptoms can include feeling very tired all of the time, but unsure why and losing weight without meaning to. Any blood in the stool should always be checked.
Black
Black stool can occur if certain medications are taken. However, it can also indicate a health issue, such as bleeding in the stomach or haemorrhoids.
If you notice any changes to the colour of your stools and are concerned, you should always seek advice from a medical expert.
What is the shape and texture of my stool telling me?
"A healthy bowel movement should resemble a sausage-like shape, which is either smooth in texture or has cracks on the surface," said Dr Bhavini Shah.
According to the NHS website constipation is present if a patient is experiencing:
Poo that is unusually large or small, and is dry, hard or lumpy
Straining or in pain when having a poo
Feeling like you haven't fully emptied your bowels
If you suffer from constipation, you should gradually increase the fibre in your diet to include at least 30g daily. Fibre can be found in foods such as porridge oats, whole wheat pasta, beans, lentils, wheat bran, and linseed.
Eating more fibre not only reduces the risk of bowel cancer but also decreases the risk of other illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
The NHS also recommends eating a healthy, balanced diet (including fruits that contain sorbitol, such as apples, apricots, grapes (and raisins), raspberries, and strawberries), drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol.
A watery stool with no solid pieces suggests diarrhoea. Whilst most of the time, this can clear up by itself on its own, it's important to observe each bowel movement. A watery stool can indicate health issues such as a virus, bacteria (which can be caused by contaminated food), or a parasite, which can be spread in contaminated water.
Hydration is key when experiencing diarrhoea, so a person must make sure they are replacing fluids, sugar, salts and minerals that they are losing in each bowel movement.
However, if you are concerned or experiencing regular constipation or watery stool, you should speak to your GP.
When should I see a GP?
You should always see a GP if you notice blood in your stool, experience sudden weight loss or unusual tiredness, or develop abnormal stomach cramps.
Essentially, if you notice any change in bowel habits, stool or colour, it's probably nothing to worry about, but getting any discomfort checked is very important.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
18 minutes ago
- BBC News
Manager denies health board sought to 'punish' trans row nurse
An NHS Fife manager who led an investigation into allegations against nurse Sandie Peggie has told a tribunal that nobody higher up in the organisation was telling her what to Glancy dismissed suggestions from Ms Peggie's lawyers that the health board had a "determination to punish" the nurse for an altercation with trans doctor Beth Upton in a hospital changing witness told the tribunal she had not shared details of the investigation with the health board's senior leadership said "nobody higher up was telling me what to do" and her decisions were based "on what I've found" in the investigation. Ms Peggie and Dr Upton had an encounter on Christmas Eve 2023 that led to the nurse being suspended from work after a row over whether the doctor should be in the women's changing rooms at the Victoria Hospital in Glancy became involved in the case in late February Glancy said a combination of diary commitments, sickness and annual leave meant she could not conduct interviews until late April and her final report into the matter was completed in December told NHS Fife and Dr Upton's lawyer Jane Russell she believed staff "shouldn't be confronting colleagues" and that if someone had an issue or a problem with a colleague they should speak to a line manager. The clinical nurse manager denied a suggestion from Ms Peggie's lawyer Naomi Cunningham she deliberately put off informing the nurse about further allegations against Cunningham suggested the delays were because NHS Fife was in "turmoil" about whether the additional claims - regarding whether Ms Peggie had previously refused to engage with the doctor about a patient - could be "pinned" on the Glancy said this was not true, as she had not shared any details of her findings with also rejected the suggestion she was "very anxious" about challenging Dr Upton regarding evidence in the Cunningham asked if Ms Glancy had looked into claims by Ms Peggie that the junior doctor was a "known troublemaker", to which she replied that she was looking into the Christmas Eve incident, not Dr Upton. Timeline of the Sandie Peggie tribunal The lawyer queried whether the fact that Dr Kate Searle, Dr Upton's supervisor, had sent emails to other members of staff expressing support for the junior doctor had compromised Ms Glancy's Cunningham said Dr Searle - who gave evidence over two days earlier in the week - had been "vigorously briefing" against Ms Peggie with her actions. Ms Glancy replied that none of the people in the email chain were involved in her investigation and therefore it did not affect her findings. Dr Searle gave evidence during the internal investigation and also attended Dr Upton's session with Ms Glancy, which Ms Peggie's legal team said was bending the Glancy said it was allowed for people in a tribunal to have a colleague there for support, and "not unusual". No notes kept for second meeting Ms Cunningham suggested an email exchange between Dr Upton and Ms Glancy regarding the 18 December incident indicated "a clear steer" to the clinical nurse manager to not investigate it any lawyer said this was because it would be proven to be false and "should be career-ending for Dr Upton."Ms Glancy disagreed with this, saying she had continued to investigate the 18 December incident by speaking to a healthcare assistant on shift on that day. She later added she felt the healthcare worker's evidence - that Dr Upton and and Ms Peggie had a conversation but she could not recall details - did not contradict Dr Upton's prior claim that Ms Peggie had left without saying anything, as it was uncertain how much was said between them. Ms Glancy confirmed she had a second meeting with Dr Upton after their initial session during the investigation, where they discussed changes to the doctor's said these changes were mostly grammatical but admitted there were no notes kept of this Hamilton, an HR adviser with NHS Fife, later told the tribunal this was "not ideal" but that meetings did not need to always have notes taken. The respective legal teams also clashed over language used by Ms Cunningham, where she repeatedly referred to Dr Upton as male and said this was the "correct sex".Ms Russell said this was creating a hostile environment for the witness and confusing Ms Glancy into accidently misgendering the doctor - something Ms Cunningham denied. Ms Hamilton later said she agreed Ms Glancy's report had been made without interference from added Dr Searle giving both evidence and then supporting Dr Upton during the investigation was not ideal, but there was nothing in policy against it. The tribunal continues.


BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
South East patients advised on services ahead of doctors' strike
Patients across south-east England have been told to think carefully about which NHS services they use as resident doctors go on Kent and Medway has said they will prioritise emergency and critical services and hope to operate as usual while industrial action goes ahead from 07:00 BST Friday until Wednesday. Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said it expected to be "exceptionally busy" and that "disruption should be expected".Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust said it had "robust plans in place to make sure our patients continue to receive safe, quality care". Patients have been told to attend scheduled appointments unless they are contacted and told otherwise. NHS Kent and Medway's chief medical officer Kate Langford said: "We are urging everyone to make sure they use the appropriate services and keep emergency care for those who really need it."Anyone needing medical help should use 111 as the first port of call, according to NHS Kent and Medway. Ms Langford said: "Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is important patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk."The integrated care board has also said it is working hard to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, as well as those undergoing cancer surgery. Resident doctors, previously called junior doctors, voted to take strike action over a long-running pay dispute at the start of were awarded a 5.4% pay rise for this financial year, following a 22% increase over the previous two British Medical Association (BMA) says wages are still around 20% lower in real terms than in 2008.


Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
English doctors to strike in face-off with government over pay
LONDON, July 24 (Reuters) - Resident doctors in England will begin a five-day strike on Friday over pay, challenging Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party government that promised to end industrial unrest when taking office a year ago. The government is refusing to meet demands for higher pay from the British Medical Association, which says the 5.4% rise awarded to resident doctors - qualified physicians who make up nearly half of the medical workforce - does little to undo years of pay erosion. The result is a return to picket lines outside hospitals from 0600 GMT Friday - a throwback to 2023 when high inflation and stagnant pay brought doctors, nurses and other staff from the publicly-funded National Health Service (NHS) out on strike. "We don't want to strike, but we have to," said Bishoy Yassa, a 24-year-old recently qualified resident doctor. "Even after fair negotiations ... we were completely ignored." "There's a misconception that doctors are being greedy," he added. "This isn't just about pay. This is about getting the government to listen to the state of the NHS." After winning an election last year, Labour quickly reached a settlement with doctors for a 22% pay rise, but this year, as it grapples with increasingly strained public finances, it has refused to move beyond a 5.4% increase. Health minister Wes Streeting has called the decision to strike "reckless and needless." "All I asked of the them (BMA's leadership) was the postponement of strikes for a few weeks so we could work together on a detailed package that could form an offer to you to end this dispute," Streeting said in a letter addressed to resident doctors posted on X on Thursday. Public backing for the strikes is limited, with 52% now opposing them and 34% in favour, according to a YouGov survey of 4,954 adults conducted on Monday. That represents a shift from May, when 48% opposed and 39% supported the action. Views among doctors also differ. Adam Boggon, a 33-year-old resident doctor and a BMA member, told Reuters he voted against the strike action, fearing it would harm patients. "I would like for a settlement to be achieved very soon and in the absence of strike action which doesn't help anybody and which nobody wants," he said.