Checking our stool to make sure everything is in order isn’t something anyone wants to do, however it is essential to understanding your body and any underlying problems you may have
Let’s be honest – when you go for a number two, chances are you don’t stop to check what it looks like. But your stool might be trying to tell you something, from how your diet’s doing to signs of gut bugs, stress, or even something more serious like bowel cancer.
Dr Bhavini Shah, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, has lifted the lid on what your stool says about your health – from leafy green to worrying red, here’s what to look out for.
There’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ poo, but there are things that could be a red flag. While it’s normal to go once a day up to once every three days, your stool should be soft and easy to pass – no straining or pain. Before we dive into colour, let’s talk about shape and texture – because that is a key thing to look for too.
A healthy stool should look sausage-shaped and be either smooth or with slight cracks. Anything unusually large or small, dry, hard, or lumpy could signal constipation. You might also feel like you haven’t fully emptied your bowels.
Constipation?
The NHS recommends gradually upping your fibre intake to at least 30g daily. That means adding in foods like oats, beans, lentils, wholewheat pasta and bran. Not only can it help ease constipation, but it can also lower your risk of bowel cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
Now let’s get into the colours and what they mean:
Brown
This is the goal. A brown stool usually means everything is working as it should – as long as there are no other symptoms, you’re good to go.
Green
Been munching on spinach or kale? Green stools could be from leafy veg, food dye, or even antibiotics. But if it’s sudden and ongoing, it might point to gastroenteritis or another gut bug.
Yellow
Yellow poo might suggest an infection in the bowel or issues with the pancreas. If pancreatic enzymes aren’t being released properly, this can show up in your stool.
Grey or pale
If your poo looks clay-coloured or pale, it could mean something’s going on in your liver, gallbladder or pancreas. Sometimes medications can be the cause but so can blocked ducts or even cancerous or benign tumours.
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
This is one to take seriously. Red stools could signal rectal bleeding and in some cases, bowel cancer. Other signs to watch out for include unexplained tiredness or sudden weight loss. Any blood in your stool should always be checked.
Black
Some medication can make your poo turn black, but it can also suggest bleeding in the stomach or haemorrhoids. Either way – if you’re unsure, speak to a GP.
What about diarrhoea?
If your stool is watery with no solid bits, it might just be a passing issue, but it could also point to a virus, food poisoning, or a parasite. Make sure you stay hydrated, replacing lost fluids, salts, and sugars. If it doesn’t clear up or keeps coming back, check in with your doctor.
The NHS also advises:
•Drinking plenty of water
•Eating a balanced diet rich in fibre and fruit (think apples, apricots, grapes, and berries)
•Avoiding alcohol
When to see a GP
If you notice blood in your stool, sudden weight loss, extreme tiredness, or unusual stomach cramps – don’t ignore it. It might be nothing, but it’s always best to get checked.