Our poop isn’t something that many of us like to talk about. However, if you’re concerned by your bowel movements, it’s worth telling someone. Unusual bowel movements could be caused by serious health problems that need to be treated. Below are just some of the poop problems that are worth seeing a doctor about.
Diarrhoea that won’t go away
Many of us experience diarrhoea at some point in our lives. Stomach bugs, food poisoning and food intolerances are some of the common causes.
Diarrhoea can be dangerous because it can stop us from absorbing nutrients and make us dehydrated through excess water loss. Over a long period of time, this could cause a lot of damage to our body.
Diarrhoea should clear up after two days – especially if you’re using anti-diarrheal medication. If it persists, and there’s no clear trigger, it’s worth seeing a doctor about it.
Food intolerances and allergies are some of the most common causes of chronic diarrhoea. By identifying the trigger food and cutting it out of the diet, you could find that your diarrhoea clears up. Be wary that medication or supplements could also be a cause.
Constipation that won’t go away
Many of us also experience constipation. This is usually the result of not getting enough fibre or not getting enough exercise, which can temporarily lead to trouble passing stools.
Chronic constipation may be caused by other issues such as food intolerances, medication or more serious bowel issues. Such constipation may need to be cleared up with regular laxatives.
If constipation persists for over three weeks, or you have less than three bowel movements in a week, it’s generally worth seeing a doctor, as this could lead to more serious complications. This is particularly the case if over-the-counter laxatives are not working.
Blood in your poop
Unusual colored poop can also be a cause for concern. If there is blood in your poop, this could be particularly worth worrying about. It may just be caused by haemorrhoids, however it could also be a more severe gut issue like bowel cancer. A stool sample will be able to determine exactly what the problem is.
Symptoms of bowel cancer usually include blood in stools, diarrhoea/constipation and stomach pain. If caught early, bowel cancer can often be successfully treated. This guide at Check4Cancer explains more about how to get tested.
Other accompanying symptoms
Unusual bowel movements can be particularly concerning if accompanied by other odd health symptoms such as a fever, stomach pain or excessive vomiting. If these symptoms persist more than a day, you should see a doctor.
Any intense acute pain that accompanies unusual bowel movements could be worth getting medical attention for immediately. You should also see a doctor if pain is progressively getting worse. All in all, intense pain is never a good sign.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.