The Importance of Monitoring Your Poop...

At all times it is important to monitor your bowel fluctuations, doing so can give an early indication as to the true state of your health...

You've heard it before, but probably after a bout of diarrhea or constipation and it doesn't stick in your mind much because for the most part "looking at your poop" isn't very satisfying or sexy. In fact, its far from that as possible - it can be a complete downer and is mostly something we just want to get through and move on...here are a few reasons why and how to do just that...

"Roughage" - fibrous indigestible material in vegetable foodstuffs which aids the passage of food and waste products through the gut. (don't eat flowers please, unless that's just what your used to :)

Disclaimer: Before undertaking any dietary or lifestyle changes, please consult with your physician for appropriateness and additional guidance. The information here is just that...information for educational purposes only, not to provide medical advice or treatment...

Ways to Monitor Your Poop

So how often should you check on your excrement, we advise that you check your poop as often as you produce it, daily or every other day. As regularly as you are...well...regular. If you aren't as regular as usual, or its painful or you are going too often...time to start paying even more attention...

When things are changing or different...put it in your poop diary...that's right - you should have a diary or collection for your "off" days and share this information with your physician, who may decide to order tests or just monitor along with you.

Pay attention to abdominal sensations, pain is obviously paramount especially persistent or recurrent pains. A few abdominal stirrings after a large meal, or bowl of cereal should pass that day and if not may indicate severe lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity. Talk these sensations over with your clinician.

Also, with your poop diary (yep brought it back up again, on purpose too) - you should track your meals as well, this will help you link some of your meals to your poop. ("If you eat like a bird, you will poop like a bird" - EHC trademark pending lol).

Important next steps to take with your physician are to make sure all your age related cancer screenings are done on time and that means on time based on your family history not just your individual habits and history which is a common reason people who develop colon cancer early are more likely to find it too late.

Dietary considerations to make regarding your bowels are things like - 1) to reduce how much cheese you consume, 2) less red meat, while avoiding charring it altogether and 3) to make sure if you are going to consume cheese or red meat you follow it right away with "roughage" 4) monitor dairy intake otherwise to know when to expect the gas attacks that typically follow and 5) drink the required amount of water daily, which can easily be approached by consuming at least two glasses of water with each meal then you just have to make up for what you sweated out during your routine workout or if you decide to walk across a desert that day just for kicks.

Lastly and most important - regular exercise. We aren't saying run a marathon to stimulate your bowels, but to get started - at least a brisk walk, or 15 minutes on a bicycle or a 5-10 lap swim should keep you plenty regular and these are things you can do at any age (after being cleared by your doctor of course).

Disclaimer: Before undertaking any dietary or lifestyle changes, please consult with your physician for appropriateness and additional guidance. The information here is just that...information for educational purposes only, not to provide medical advice or treatment...