Buzz
How’s your poop these days? Is it the correct hue? What about how often you go—are you doing it daily, like clockwork? No need to answer (especially not in the comments, please). The reality is, no matter what you say, you’re probably just fine.
I’m not sure why poop has us all so intrigued, but there’s a lot of information floating around—some of it aims to educate you (yay?) while other pieces try to make you feel something’s wrong. One well-known video lists a few issues someone might notice in the #2 realm, then patronizingly claims that if you don’t experience any of these, you’re “the world’s only perfect pooper.” In truth, though, there's a wide spectrum of normal.
The Bristol Stool Chart is meant for communication, not testing
Videos like this one often refer to the Bristol stool scale to help you determine if your pooping habits are off. However, this scale isn’t a diagnostic tool—it’s just a way to communicate with your doctor. Instead of describing your diarrhea in detail, you can say you’ve been experiencing mostly sixes and sevens.
It’s normal to occasionally find yourself at either end of the stool scale, and the reasons behind those changes are often easy to pinpoint. For example, fluctuations in stool texture can be linked to your fiber intake. If you're experiencing diarrhea-like symptoms, it could be due to a virus or the side effects of medications like antibiotics.
Poop comes in a wide range of types, and the variations are often surprising. I once used the Stool Analyzer to assess some of my own bathroom experiences. My results ranged from five-star ‘Excellent’ to two-star ‘Bad.’ I wasn’t ill, nor did anything tragic occur. Perhaps the issue is with the Stool Analyzer itself.
While examining your stool’s color and shape can be insightful, it’s not a health diagnosis in itself—especially if you don’t have any bothersome symptoms. Your toilet isn’t necessarily an indicator of your health. Think of it more like one of those weather-predicting rocks at tourist stops: if it's wet, it’s raining; if your stool is liquid, you’ve got diarrhea.
There’s no need to overhaul everything
If you spend enough time reading about healthy bowel movements, you might start to feel like you're doing everything incorrectly. But it's perfectly fine to sit on the toilet rather than squat, if that's what works best for you. (Squatting or propping your feet up on a stool can be beneficial, but it’s by no means essential.)
Similarly, watching videos while sitting on the toilet isn't harming your digestive health, but if you prefer, you can leave your phone out of the bathroom for a more tranquil experience.
There are many healthy habits that can enhance your digestive experience while boosting your overall well-being, and they're certainly worth exploring. The gastrointestinal team at NYU Langone advises eating a balanced diet (with plenty of fiber), staying active, and getting screened for colon cancer based on medical guidelines.
If you suspect a health issue that requires medical attention, by all means consult a doctor, even if your symptoms include unusual stool. However, if you're feeling well, don't overanalyze the deeper meaning behind your poop. Chances are, everything is fine.
