Disclaimer: If you didn’t like the title you can stop reading now! 

As a nurse I spend a lot of time thinking about stool (poop). I question people about it, analyze what I see, I have even been known to cheer for a successful BM (poop). I know a lot about your health just by looking in the bowl. So her is my favorite stool scale to pass along to you. I am going to teach you what your poop means so you can know how your body is doing. The Bristol stool chart is my go to chart when talking with families about their BMs.

Type 1: Lumpy nut like stools are a sign you are constipated and dehydrated. It’s also a sign that you have an unhealthy lifestyle. This type of stool has lived in the colon to long.

Type 2: Lumpy sausage like stools indicated that you are constipated and dehydrated. This type of stool has also lived in the colon for a long time.

If your stool looks like type 3 or type 4 congrats! 

Type 3: This is a normal healthy stool. Your stool appears sausage like with cracks on the surface. The more water you drink the less cracks you will have on the surface.

Type 4: If your stool is soft and smooth like a snake its normal and healthy. You are drinking enough water!

Type 5: Your stool looks like soft blobs with clear-cut edges, also know as soft diarrhea.

Type 6: Your stool comes out as fluffy pieces with ragged edges or mushy stools, this indicates diarrhea.

Type 7: Your stool is watery liquid with no form, this is severe diarrhea.

*Regular BMs should happen anywhere from 1-3 times a day to 3 times a week. Its more about how they come out. You should not have to strain to hard and your stools should look like types 3 &4.

*Consult your doctor about stools outside the normal range or before starting any cleanses. With prolonged diarrhea this could indicate possible infection and lead to dehydration. Let your doctor know right away if you experience these symptoms.

In Health,

Tara Arnold, RN