SAVE SYMPTOM
This type of stool indicates a healthy, well-formed stool. The ideal poop is like a banana in size, shape and consistency with a medium brown color and no cracks on the surface. The bowels should eliminate 1-2x daily, with the first movement in the...
Cracks on the surface of a stool indicate moderate dryness of the stool and dehydration. The stool may be sitting in the bowels for too long. As the stool sits in the bowels, the intestines continue to absorb water from them, making the stool into a...
A smooth surface on stool indicates the stool is well hydrated. A long stool indicates adequate fiber or poor absorption. The ideal poop is like a banana in size, shape and consistency with a medium brown color and no cracks on the surface. The bowels...
The satisfying daily release of a long, large lincoln log stool indicates adequate soluble and insoluble fiber in the diet. The fiber absorbs moisture which increases the size of the stool. Constipation accompanied by a long, large stool can...
Small, hard stool indicates either dryness in the colon or that the stool is sitting in the colon for too long. Hard, dry stools are considered to be a sign of constipation. When stool sits in the colon too long, it begins to rot. The rotting stool...
Have you ever seen air bubbles in your poop? Is your poop frothy? Frothy poop is a sign of poor digestion. When food digests poorly, it sits too long in your gut and bacteria begin to grow. This causes fermentation, the same process that...
Irritation, inflammation and osmotic laxatives can often cause stools to completely liquefy. This condition quickly depletes the body of fluids and electrolytes, causing weight loss and dehydration. The loss of electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps...
Stool in pieces mixed with liquid should be differentiated from mud-like stool. Mud like stool is stool that has never formed into a solid. Mushy pieces imply the stool was formed, then mixed with liquids, perhaps implicating the colon. When the lining...
About Foamy Poop Frothy stools are those that contain bubbles and look somewhat like a foamy poop. Frothy stools mean there is a lot of air mixed with the stool due to gut fermentation. The bubbles in foamy stool are produced by...
Stool that is thick mud can imply that digestive organs are too weak to fully digest the food (Vata). Or, muddy stools can reflect a diet that is too rich. It may also be a sign of excess bile (Pitta). If the stool has a foul odor, it is a hot & sour...
When stools are soft, you lose vital fluids and electrolytes. When stools are soft, there is often poor absorption of foods. You may feel drained & tired. The longer your stools are soft, the more your ojas will be depleted. Stools become soft for...
Narrow Stools (Stringy poop, Pencil stool) can indicate inflammation or growths in the colon causing a stricture (narrowing of the inside of the tube). The inflammation can obstruct the movement of stools. It can also be a simple sign of loose stools...
A polyp, internal hemorrhoid, or something protruding into the colon can create a consistent groove in the stool. This condition should be checked by a qualified gastroenterologist to rule out colon cancer.
Passing a parasite in your stool is a definitive sign you have parasites. Parasites are organisms that live within another organism, often causing harm to the host. They can live in multiple locations in the human body, but many prefer the digestive...
Skins of foods, poorly chewed foods, and foods that are difficult can be seen in the stools. Undigested food is often a sign of a low digestive fire. Poor digestion may be due to a blood deficiency, stress, poor routine & eating habits, or eating...
The body doesn't make foul odors. Odorous stool implies food is rotting and fermenting in the gut. Poop starts to rot when it sits too long in the gut (constipation). When you cannot absorb the nutrients from your food (malabsorption, Vata), the...
Fatty poop, greasy stools, steatorrhea, or whatever you'd like to call it, one thing is certain: oily stool indicates dysfunctional fat absorption. Fatty stools can manifest in different ways. You may see oil floating in the toilet with stool, light...
Is Your Digestion Bogged Down with Mucus? Individuals have an innate curiosity about what happens in the murky depths of the bowels. When they see something strange happening down there, they wonder what it means, and...
Sinking stool is a sign of a rich, heavy diet. Ice cream often makes the stool sink. When food sits in the bowels too long, the stool may become hard and dense. Easy to digest food, mild digestives and fiber should be used to clear the digestive tract.
High fat content may cause stools to float. Stools will appear yellow in this case. Stools may float if the fiber in the stool is high, generally appearing bulky. Stools also float when fermentation aerates the stools.
Pus in stool is a sign of active infection. Please see a medical doctor promptly to address this condition.
DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat a medical condition. It is not a substitute for medical care. Please check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.
On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalanced biocharacteristics. By eating an optimal diet that balances your biocharacteristics, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
