Sunday, February 6, 2011

Poop 101: Do you have healthy bowel movements?

This is a topic that I find many of my clients snickering at. Who talks about poop?

In the Naturopathy field we recognize the importance of having healthy bowel movements. But, what is healthy, really?

The first question I usually ask my clients is if they have 'healthy' bowel movements. Most say yes to start. However, the surprising fact is that most of these people only have 1-3 bowel movements PER WEEK and consider this to be 'normal'. Yes, this might be normal for some, but it is not healthy.

Each time we eat, we should be poopin' out the previous meals we consumed. We should be pooping 3 times per day, and if we are not we probably have fecal matter that is 'stuck in our gut' and feeding back toxins to our system that we should be eliminating. I once heard that the average person has almost 20 pounds of impacted fecal matter in their gut. Elvis Presley? Well folks, his autopsy revealed he had 50 pounds of impacted fecal matter. Can you see the importance now of eliminating your wastes properly?

If you are constipated, then you have this problem too. Your body is not letting go of the 'crap' that is stuck in your intestinal tract. This can cause a whole host of problems, including: headaches, nausea, bad breath, skin eruptions, and other more chronic illnesses. 

There are many causes of constipation, and each person's treatment plan is different. I have listed below some guidelines to follow when observing your poop.

How frequent are they?

It is healthy to have at least 2 to 3 bowel movements per day. What goes in should come out. If you are not eliminating this much, then you probably have a backup of fecal matter that is allowing your body to reabsorb the toxins that it is trying to eliminate. This is one of the major causes for blood that has become unhealthy and toxic. Like I said above, the cause of constipation is different for each person. One thing you could focus on for this section is your intake of dietary fiber. Fiber is like the broom and mop for the intestinal tract and is a necessary substance for removal and elimination. Fruits and vegetables contain fiber, and are, in fact, the best way to get fiber into your diet. You should be getting at least 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. You could also try Psyllium as a good source of fiber. Are you considering taking a fiber supplement? Make sure you are getting enough water throughout the day since fiber grabs onto liquid and creates bulky stools.


What do they smell like?

Do your bowel movements stink? I have heard many people say "it smells like something is rotting inside of me!" (GROSS, I KNOW!) However, this is true. If you aren't eliminating as much matter as what you are ingesting, then you do have 'something rotting inside of you'. Bowel movements do not have to smell, and if you are eating a healthy diet and eliminating properly, then they probably won't smell (that bad). Animal proteins in the diet can also cause your bowel movements to smell since it takes the body a long time to digest. Another cause? A lack of friendly bacteria in your gut! Since we are a society that takes antibiotics each time we feel ill, we can safely assume that most of the population does not have a good supply of healthy bacteria. Each time you take an antibiotic it affects your healthy gut flora for 2 years! Other drugs also kill your friendly bacteria, including: steroids, birth control pills, and other drugs and chemicals that are part of the modern American lifestyle. If your poop smells bad, then consider looking at your diet, and the possibility of taking a probiotic supplement. This will add healthy flora to your gut and get you back on a track to health! Aside from smell, healthy flora is so important for many other things! Healthy and balanced gut flora plays a very significant role in fighting off pathogenic bacteria, toxins, allergens, chemicals and pollutants.Yogurt isn't enough to give you this healthy flora if your gut flora has been damaged, so you will need to buy a good probiotic supplement.

What do they look like?

How well formed are your bowel movements? Many natural health practitioners believe that a perfectly healthy bowel movement is one to two feet long. Doesn't it feel good to turn around and see a well formed and super-long bowel movement?! When we see this some of us think "SUCCESS!" In order to get your bowel movements well formed, beneficial bacteria and fiber are so important. If your bowel movements are poorly formed then your food is not being digested efficiently. And, if you are not digesting your food properly, then you aren't getting the important vitamins and minerals from your food. If your body cannot digest, then it cannot break down your food. Hydrochloric acid helps your body to break down food substances, especially protein. If you have low stomach acid, a whole host of problems can arise, including: bloating and belching after meals, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, food allergies, nausea, iron deficiency, asthma, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, eczema, gallbladder disease, psoriasis, osteoporosis and much more. A common supplement in the typical American medicine chest is an Antacid product. This does the opposite of what I am telling you... it eliminates stomach acid so you don't feel indigestion. Most of us need MORE stomach acid, NOT LESS! If you find yourself popping antacids throughout the day, I urge you to look at your diet and consider consulting a natural health practitioner. You are seriously depleting yourself of the very important substance needed for proper digestion! So, for most of us who are low in stomach acid - juice 1/2 of a lemon in the morning before you eat anything and drink with water. This will help your body digest food throughout the day and with an adequate amount of stomach acid!

Do you ever see whole pieces of food come out the other end? This is another sign that you are not digesting your food properly. This is also a sign that you need to learn how to chew your food properly! Chewing is so important and is the first step of digestion!

Do they float?

This is NOT something that we learn when we are growing up. A perfect and healthy bowel movement should be on that does not smell, is well (and loosely) formed, and floats at first (and then sink as they absorb water)! If yours are sinkers, then you must realize that there is something missing in your diet. Fiber is so important, and if you are eating mostly raw fruits and vegetables, then your poop will float. However, if it is not, consider your diet once again as the culprit. Again, fiber is important here. Essential fatty acids are also vital to each of us, since most people are deficient in healthy fats. Part of this stems from the very popular belief that fats are bad. Fats are certainly not bad, but instead, so essential to build many substances in your body. Ground up flax seeds are a great addition to your daily diet and are tasty in soups, smoothies, salads, yogurts, and more. They will also help your poop float for a healthy and perfect bowel movement!

I have also heard some people say that they have never turned around to evaluate their poop. Please, for the sake of your health, turn around and observe what is coming out! This will only help you to assess your health and determine the next step for healing!

Update: You can view my most commonly asked questions with answers about poop here.

___________________________________________________________

Svea is a traditional Naturopath, classical homeopath and holistic doula. Her private doula practice can be found here. Her Montreal Natural Fertility site can be found here

205 comments:

  1. I have always read that poop floating is bad because it means you are not metabolizing fats properly (which is why people with gall bladder issues often have poop that floats). I'll have to double check that now. **Love this poopy post!

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  2. I think that floating stool is a sign of enough fiber and essential fatty acids in the diet. I have always read that it must float to be considered a 'healthy poop'. I do know some extremely healthy people that eat very healthy diets who have floating poops too! Let me know if you find anything different!

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  3. Megan: I just read an article that said that poop should float first, and then sink as the fiber becomes saturated with water.

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  4. I am getting poop 3 times a day.but the problem is i'm unable to control it. i'm feeling bad about it, especially while i'm outside, in work, in friends room.

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    Replies
    1. I've been having the same thing... what if I can't go to a doctor... Is there any natural remedies for this?

      Delete
    2. Hi there,

      Is it possible to see a Naturopath? There are natural remedies that you could try, but each person is different and therefore requires a different remedy. Is it diarrhea that you're having? Or an uncontrollable urge that doesn't look like diarrhea? Please contact me through the contact form above if you would like a distance consult with me via Skype.

      Delete
  5. Hi Chaitu,

    There could be many reasons for why you are unable to control it. If your digestive system was functioning optimally, you should be able to control it. The reasons could vary - you could have a parasite; you could be eating foods that you are allergic/sensitive to; you have taken too many antibiotics; etc. I would suggest seeing a naturopath to get this straightened out. I'm sorry that you have to suffer in that way - but it can be helped! Let me know if you have any further questions.

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  6. I poop once or twice a week. I know its bad for health so i would force myself to poop. but sometimes no matter how long i sit on the toilet bowl there's just no poop.

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  7. Hi Vivian. It's also not good to force yourself to have a bowel movement. This is how hemorrhoids start. Have you examined other things you could try? More water? More fiber? Probiotics? Have you consulted with a Naturopath?

    Blessings for Health,
    Svea

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  8. Hi Svea, thanks for your help. If my poop is watery most of the time what does it mean? What can i do? What can i eat to increase the fiber? Sorry but what is hemorrhoids? I recently poop and there's a stinging pain after that. What's happening? Thanks :)

    Vivian

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  9. Hi Vivian,

    Thank you for your comment. If your bowel movements are watery most of the time, then you are probably not getting enough fiber. Fiber usually pulls your bowel movements together to create well-formed stools. You can get fiber from raw fruits and vegetables - romaine lettuce, celery, etc. You can also try the supplement Psyllium Husks - you can buy this from any health food store. Make sure you are drinking enough water when you take this though, otherwise you can become constipated. A hemorrhoid is a swollen vein (or veins) in the region of your anus that is caused from too much straining when trying to have a bowel movement. If you have hemorrhoids, you can sometimes see bright red blood on the outside of the stools or on the toilet paper. They can sometimes be painful and itch. If you are experiencing stinging, you could have a hemorrhoid. It also depends on how often you are having a bowel movement. If you are having diarrhea often, your anus can become raw and tender - causing a burning pain after stool. Have you consulted a Naturopath? There are many things you can do to help this, especially if you are having diarrhea. You have to find the cause of the diarrhea - it may be an allergy, stress, or emotion.

    Happy New Year!

    Svea

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    Replies
    1. Hi Svea,

      What is equivalence of naturopathic physician? I checked my insurance site, and they do not have ND listed as network participants. I am in Florida.

      Delete
    2. Hi there.

      A Naturopathic Physician is usually listed as "ND". Some Medical Doctors also practice holistically and have a designated of Naturopathic Physician. I'm not as familiar with that field. But, only some insurance companies cover NDs. You'll have to check with your specific company.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  10. Can fiber supplements cause your poop to smell bad? I take just one fiber capsule a day and it really smells "abnormal!" I don't eat many vegetables or fruits...do you think this will help?

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  11. It really depends on what type of fiber supplement you are taking. I would bet that it is not the fiber supplement that is making your poop smell bad. You said you don't eat many fruits or vegetables, so I'm putting in a bet that it's the other food you are eating that is making your poop smell bad. If you have a problem digesting what you are eating, often it sits in your digestive tract for days. It ferments there and starts to putrefy. This will cause really stinky "abnormal" smelling bowel movements. People who eat a lot of fruits and vegetables do not have these abnormal smelling poops (unless they have a preexisting dysfunction in their digestive tract). My suggestion?

    More fruits and vegetables, my friend :-)

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  12. Hi!
    So, lately(the past week or so) i have been very gasious & im not sure why. But its so hard to take a poop. Why is this happening??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Are you eating anything different than you normally eat? This could be caused from the food you are eating - your body isn't agreeing with it - causing gas and constipation. It could also be caused from stress in your life. Did you have something happen in the last week? Focus on eating healthy foods and working out your stress.

      Delete
  13. Hi svea

    I just had a baby 8wks ago and I've been having 4 to 6 bowel movements a day there little peices that float there not firm nor watery. I am not breast feeding.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Bettszy,

      Congrats on your baby! I'm sure you are in still in recovery mode. Sending blessings your way for quick healing. In my article I do talk about floating poop - your poop should float first and then sink as it absorbs water. It sounds like you are having some digestive concerns. Just make sure you are taking your probiotics, drinking lots of water and eating enough fiber. Also, stress can contribute to abnormal digestion - and it makes sense, with a new baby, that your movements may have changed. Please let me know if you have any further questions, or if you would like to work further on your digestion.

      Sincerely,
      Svea

      Delete
  14. Hello. My problem ( and there are many) I have IBS.I am pretty good with eliminating food "triggers", but I tend to have a few, normal bowel movements, in the morning. Too many! Sometimes just the need to go,again, and again,and again.. I never have an" incomplete" feeling though. Sometimes (not always)I get stomach aches and cramping after the 3rd. Its really interfering with my life!! I have a good diet, I am gluten intolerant,and have had a GF diet for over a year. ( I also have Endometriosis,and am just learning doctors are recognizing the strong connection with Endo and IBS ) Do you think adding a fiber (pill or drink) may help? I'm at my wits end and get so tired from all this "crap" before I even get to start my day :( thank you

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    Replies
    1. It sounds like you are really on the right track. Some people can 'control' their symptoms through their diet - which is at least a starting point. Have you ever tried homeopathy? I would strongly suggest seeing a homeopath to get your constitutional remedy. I have seen good changes through diet with some people - but as soon as they stop eating healthy, their symptoms reappear. Homeopathy is different and so many people get great results. I do distance appointments if you are interested in having a consult with me. Otherwise, it's difficult to tell you the next step since I don't know your story. You can always email me through my website:

      http://www.psychehealing.com/Wellness/contact.html

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
    2. I would like to talk to anon, as i to suffer from the same ibs problem and cant find any relif nor can any doctor and would love to exchange advice and ways to help me

      Delete
    3. i also have ibs. i found cutting out dairy products helped. including the milk that is in toothpaste and other things like processed foods. eg. ham

      Delete
  15. Thank you Svea. I will email you over the next few days, and hopefully you will be able to me, or put me in the right direction..thanks for your reply. Gina

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    Replies
    1. Great Gina! I look forward to receiving your email.

      Delete
    2. I have been taking fish oil with multivtitamin would that make my stool smell more oderey?

      Delete
  16. I've been concerned about my bowel movements for a couple years now. I stumbled across this post and thought I'd see what some people who know more about this stuff has to say. I often have to poop more than three times a day, but it's usually always a combination of the loose "pellets" and diarrhea. It's pretty much the norm for me. Occasionally I'll have a good day where I still feel like I'm going to the bathroom too much, but it will be solid instead. The only problem then is that it sinks right away and it feels sticky coming out. For years now this all has been the norm and I'm wondering if I should see a doctor. I often feel nauseated and rather weak, and I'm not sure if that's a result of my bowel movements. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'll bookmark this page and check back for a response later.

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    Replies
    1. It's possible that you have some food allergies and/or environmental conditions that are contributing to your abnormal bowel movements. When you have diarrhea, it not only pulls water out of your system (making you dehydrated), but it also pushes food through too fast, and your body doesn't get all the nutrition that it should be getting.

      I wouldn't suggest seeing a doctor for this condition. It's very rare to see a doctor who suggests natural remedies as well as lifestyle changes. My experience has shown that when a person sees a doctor for this problem, they walk away with prescription medications that they are "stuck" on for a long time. This isn't healing. This is suppression of what is going on. You need to dig to the roots of the problem... what is really causing the diarrhea?

      I would suggest seeing a Naturopathic practitioner. Maybe you have one in your community? I also do distance consults if you are interested. I work through webcam or telephone.

      I hope this helps.

      Svea

      Delete
  17. Hi, on Friday when i came back from school, i had very bad diarrhea, i kept having to go to the toilet every 2 or so minutes. When the night came, i couldn't sleep and my diarrhea turned from light brown to clear like water colour and the next day turned from clear to green. Now for the last couple of days i haven't been able to poop. i have the feeling to go to the bathroom to poo and pee 24/7 but no matter how long i stay in the toilet nothing comes out. It's getting really annoying and my bum gets really sore aswell as my tummy. any advice on what to do?

    Tayla.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Tayla,

      What happened at school? Were you stressed?

      Did you eat something that was not cooked thoroughly? You may have picked up some parasite from food that was left out too long or not cooked enough. Or possibly from water?

      It's difficult to suggest a remedy for you without knowing the rest of your case. It would be like a shot in the dark.

      If you did pick up a parasite, hopefully your body passes it quickly and easily. Parasites, however, can live in us for much longer than we would like them to. Just drink lots and lots of water, take some probiotics and get rest. You are always welcome to email me with more questions/concerns or to set up a consultation.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  18. Great Site! I have been having off and on problems with hemorrhoids for a couple of years now. Mostly from the invention of the smart phone and facebook in the loo. Ha. But seriously, having met with a Gastro two months ago, and her recommending banding, I would like to try to change my diet or add supplements. I also had my gallbladder out 6 weeks ago so I do feel much better but now my hemorrhoid symptoms are coming back. I would like to get the perfect poop and feel like that is the root to my my bathroom problems and my time on the john trying to eliminate the loose stool. Looking for resources and recommendations to natural alternatives. Thanks.

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    1. Hi there. Thank you!

      It sounds like you could use some changes in diet (usually gall bladder stuff is diet related). It's difficult to tell you exactly what to change when I haven't seen what your diet looks like.

      You can also try Witch Hazel on the hemorrhoids. It is a natural supplement that helps to tighten them and decrease their size (if not get rid of them totally). But, they may come back again if you don't focus on your diet too. Also, try to ONLY sit on the toilet when you really have to go. So many people sit on the toilet, straining for a long time with nothing coming out. The straining is what causes hemorrhoids in the first place. And, if you have problem with constipation, there is a lot you can do diet wise for that too. Do you have a Naturopath in your town? I would suggest seeing a Naturopathic practitioner. It has been my experience that dieticians can help, but they don't focus on totally natural stuff and work more off the food guide pyramid.

      One suggestion I can give is to drink lots and lots of water. If you have constipation, this will help to loosen your stools a bit.

      Please let me know if I can help in any other way!

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  19. Hey Svea,

    Well lately Ive been having alot of soft bowl movements, not diahrria but very loose! I have had alot of stress going on but it seems like all of a sudden its a everyday thing especially at night. I already have a phobia of vomit and anytime I have a loose stool thats the first thing that comes to mind (that I may be sick) Im such a worry wart! If you could please get back to me with some opions it would be gladly appreciated!!

    Thanks so much <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like it might be stress/anxiety related. Did you eat anything out of the norm? Or at a Chinese buffet or other buffet?

      Could be either of the two things - either you ate something (or are still eating something) that you are sensitive to, or it is stress related.

      So many people have stress-related issues with digestion. Especially since you are a "worry wart". Anxiety can be a huge contributor. Constitutional homeopathy is one of the best things for anxiety (I know this firsthand!). Also, when you wake up in the morning do a breathing exercise. Release all of the stress that you feel. Do the same thing before you go to bed at night. Yoga is also great for stress relief.

      Also, you can consider eating more fruits and vegetables and/or taking a fiber supplement. Fiber usually helps to bulk the stool.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  20. Hello Svea, I have a question regarding backed up fecal matter you discussed earlier about Elvis Presley. When i eat lots of fruit, I sometimes get uncontrolled diarrhea. Is it because I ate too much fruit and will this take care of any backed up fecal matter or is there something in particular to take to cleanse your intestines?

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    Replies
    1. Too much fruit can cause diarrhea, yes. It's really important to balance your diet with mostly vegetables and only some fruits.

      Diarrhea does not clean out the intestines. It passes through quickly and feels like you are cleaning out your intestines, but it is very possible to have impacted fecal matter on the walls of your intestines. That matter may be there for years before it releases. I always suggest doing a juice fast in the summer. You can read about that here:

      http://sacredhealingtraditions.blogspot.com/2011/03/cleansing-season.html

      Since you are sensitive to fruit, you can substitute the fruits in the juice recipes for vegetables. It's a wonderful way to cleanse your intestinal tract!

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  21. i need help ive been having loose stools and very thin stools for a few months now dont really know what is causing it im eating pretty healthy dont think it could be colon polyps im only 19 and if it was it wouldnt change in size every other bowel movement it would stay the same wouldnt it? message back if you think you can help me figure this out

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    Replies
    1. Thin stools can come from stress/anxiety and other emotional disturbances. They can be different sizes every time you have a bowel movement. It's really important to identify your stress and get rid of it, if possible. I also work with people in these situations if you would like to have a consult. If not, work on identifying your stress and doing stress-relief therapies.

      -Svea

      Delete
  22. Svea,

    I have been having some really weird issues lately.

    I will poo like clockwork in the morning but it feels urgent and also its never well formed.


    I feel nicely cleared out but never comfortable and it seems like i will need to go again at maybe lunchtime or mid afternoon. I may even need to go in the evening.

    I want to be able to control my BM's to once a day and also get them to a stage that they are nicely formed.

    Annoying!

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    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      I can understand your frustration with only wanting to have a BM once per day. I want to urge you to reconsider though! Healthy BMs would be one after every meal. The food goes in and it must come out. If you are eating 3 big meals per day, then you should be having 3 BMs per day. Three BMs per day is fantastic.

      The one thing that isn't pleasant and can be helped is the urgent feeling of having to go, to the point where it is unpleasant for you. Do you have a lot of stress in your life? I have posted so many times about BMs and stress, but stress can really take its toll on your poop life! Stress can constrict the intestines, making us feel like we have diarrhea, and that we have to go all the time. BMs will not be well-formed while you are under stress. If this is the case for you, take time to yourself in the morning and do a breathing exercise. Try to eliminate your stress as much as possible. Also, probiotics help with digestive health. They are great for everyone to take and will help you to have a well-formed BM.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  23. Ok, I don't know where to begin. I'm 45 yrs old and i have only had a bowel movement once a week or twice at the most since I was like 12 years old. I never thought anything of it because I didn't seem to have any issues from it. But lately it's getting worse. I will go two weeks without going. And when I do go it's always different. Sometimes it will be just a few pebbles, other times it will look like slim strings, other times diarrhea, and once in a while I will have a normal looking poop. I have SEVERE cramping sometimes when I go but not everytime. Like this morning at 2am. I wok up out of a dead sleep with terrible pain! I went to the bathroom and two hard stools came out followed by very soft, almost runny stool. And a lot of it! I only eat 1 meal a day now, but I used to eat 4 to 5 meals a day, yet never have a bowel movement. Now I eat less and can feel the poop in my bowels when I push on my left lower side. I've had to massage it to get it to come out before. What can I do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rhonda,

      I'm sorry to hear about your struggle. This is a chronic condition that we could do a lot about. It's really important to get to a point where you are having a bowel movement once per day. You will feel so much better and you will have a lot more energy.

      There are so many things that could be the culprit of your problem. I would love to work with you. There are many natural remedies that could help, but first we have to figure out what is causing the constipation to start with. I DO NOT suggest taking laxatives as they can be very habit forming, and they don't address the root problem (which, in the long run will worsen the problem).

      Please contact me through my website: http://www.psychehealing.com/Wellness/contact.html

      or by emailing me at svealynn @ gmail.com (take out the spaces).

      Delete
  24. I only poo when I eat bad foods!!! I try to eat really healthy with lots of veggies, water, etc. but I find I hardly ever poo (once or twice a week) unless I have a big bad cheat meal of junk (which I do about every week). What's wrong? Do I need a fiber supplement?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is very interesting. When you have a big bad cheat meal, do you have diarrhea? Or is it a well-formed movement? So many people have the opposite (myself included) where they eat healthy and have normal bowel movements and then become constipated when eating an unhealthy meal.

      Are you on probiotics? Probiotics are amazing and will help you have bowel movements. Also, you can consider a fiber supplement - although I would be a little concerned since you are constipated. We look at fiber more for people who have chronic diarrhea.

      Do you eat a lot of bread and pasta food? This could contribute to your constipation. Try cutting out the wheat - breads, pastas, etc.

      Happy Healing,
      Svea

      Delete
  25. Hello Svea,
    I'm also one of those who only goes once or twice a week, and when I do go, it smells really bad. My parents have complained about the smell ever since I was younger and I'm 19 now. I get so embarrassed all the time and I've actually considered starting 'The Lemonade Diet' to flush out my system and basically start over. I get the whole fruits, vegetables, and fiber thing. Being a college student makes it hard though because I'm always on the run and grabbing a cheeseburger or slice of pizza is the only thing that fits into my busy schedule. I need serious help. I'm moving in with my fiancé soon and I dont want to be embarrassed every time I have to go to the bathroom. :(

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    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      I understand how difficult it is to be a student and to try to eat healthy. I think the lemonade cleanse is a good start. There are also so many other things to try/do. Each person is different and it's important to find out why the smell is so bad. I would love to work with you to get to the bottom of it. Email me if you are interested.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  26. Hello. I was worried that three movements a day was actually bad. However lately my three movements (sometimes two) come before 10am. Is this a sign of anything?
    I am stressed, I am unemployed, actually.
    The job market is poor, and I am worried about my redundancy package running out.
    I am interested to know about low stomach acid, as you have mentioned eczema and I am long time sufferer of this condition also.
    Please advise? Thanks in advance,
    Regards
    Lun

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    Replies
    1. Hello Lun,

      It's not bad to have three bowel movements per day - it's great actually (as long as it's not diarrhea). But, since you have them all before 10 am indicates that something is happening. Do you feel the stress of your state more in the morning?

      I'm sure the stress you are experiencing does contribute. Eczema can also be a tricky thing and can be treated with Homeopathic remedies. I don't EVER suggest putting topical cream on the eczema as it will push the 'disease' inside and cause a different disease (could be asthma or other breathing problems). I strongly suggest seeing a homeopath! You may have one in your area. If you need help locating one, let me know!

      Many blessings,
      Svea

      P.S. The homeopath will also help with the low stomach acid. As homeopaths we treat the person wholistically - meaning everything is related to the other and they usually stem from ONE source - one root cause. It's important to get to the bottom of it to see true healing.

      Delete
  27. hii seva, am a boy of 18 yrs old and 1 have undergone many operation concerning my bowel, actually alll the operation is done but still i can't controll my poop it just come out by itself, if u could please help me.. give me a solution of how to controll..

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    Replies
    1. Hi Akash,

      This sounds like a very chronic condition. This needs to be treated by an experienced practitioner - your whole case needs to be taken into account. I cannot give you suggestions on here as I don't know the root cause of your troubles. I suggest seeing a homeopath - do you have one in your area?

      Much Healing to you,
      Svea

      Delete
    2. hii svea,

      well my professor ( paddy dewan ) said thatam a normal boy but still i need to take medecine to controll my bowel ( lactulose or himodium ) but still it is not working, that y i've asked you if there is another solution, plzz help me out of this,, thanks

      Delete
    3. Hi Akash,

      As I said above, it is very important that your whole case is taken. It's difficult to give suggestions when I don't know your story. I wouldn't be a Naturopath or Homeopath if I did. I strongly suggest seeing a homeopath. I can try to locate one for you if you have trouble. Please let me know if I can help in this way.

      Delete
  28. Hi Svea,
    I have been struggling with constipation lately. I feel like I know why- I am also having a major issue with candida. It got a lot better while I was on a candida cleanse and I was having normal bowel movements, one good one a day. But now I can go 2-3 days with no urge to poo at all. I have probiotics and when I eat right for the diet without taking the cleanse it doesn't help, I'm still a yeasty mess and blocked up. I know the yeast can become accustomed to certain anti fungal remedies so I don't know if I should continue cleansing (I'm on my third box) I have been trying to exercise more to see if that would help and I carry a 32 oz bottle of water to work with me. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Does the candida cleanse have a fiber supplement?

    Some people get constipated from too much fiber (and not enough water).

    Have you been to see a Homeopath? I strongly suggest that a person goes on their constitutional remedy. This can help tremendously in healing. It's also very different from the cleansing supplements you are on - like you said, the yeast can become accustomed to some anti-fungal remedies.

    Each person is different, and it really depends on how you got to where you are. What is the root cause of your candida? When did it start? What was happening in your life at that time?

    Blessings,
    Svea

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Svea,
    My problem is not so much number of bowel movements which is about 2-3 daily but rather the time it takes to fully eliminate. I usually spend about 10-15 minutes sometimes more eliminating where my wife goes right away and wonders why it takes me so long. I do have a healthy diet but usually have about 3 alcoholic drinks daily consisting of wine or beer 5 days/wk. I also make sure to drink plenty of fluids mostly herbal teas and water. Any suggestions?
    Thanks,
    Paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Paul,

      How are your bowel movements? Do you have to strain to push them out? If it's just taking you 10-15 minutes, with no straining, it's healthier. The amount of straining is strongly correlated with the development of hemorrhoids. It's great that you drink lots of fluids. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages deplete the body of water - so you must drink more than you think to stay hydrated. That may be one factor in the amount of time it takes you to have a bowel movement. How much water/herbal tea are you drinking in a day?

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  31. hi svea im 26 ever since i was a kid like 6 or younger even i poop maybe once every 8 or 9 days or so... i get bowl movements once in a awhile but hardly ever but when i do i go... so the size of my stools are very large in not only length but in diameter and are very compact so which does feel amazing when it comes out so yess i do enjoy anal sex because of this matter and choose not to discuss how i dispose of my stools but ive been doing it my entire life and im done with it.... if i continue to do it what are my long term effects what can that cause??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi There,

      Thank you for sharing. It really depends on what is causing your constipation. It's really important to get down to the root of what is causing it. Do you drink enough water? Are you allergic/sensitive to a food you are eating? Do you have enough fiber? Those are all things to take into consideration. I suggest that you see a homeopathic - the remedies can work wonders for chronic constipation. Do you have one in your area? I also do distance consults.

      Let me know if I can help,
      Svea

      Delete
  32. Thx for the great article..My story with bowel movements has changed over time, when I was younger (24 now) I would deal with constipation here and there, nothing severe. This past September I had to have surgery because my intestines twisted. Ever since then my diet cometely changed to a lot of lean meats, fruits and vegetables and have noticed a huge improvement in my metabolism. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks and drink about 2 liters of water everyday and exercise 4-5 x a week. I don't know if I should be concerned that I have about 4 to 5 bowl movements a day or if it's normal due to my active lifestyle and healthy eating habits. I appreciate a response!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Y,

      It sounds like you are living a very healthy lifestyle. As long as your bowel movements aren't diarrhea, there is no reason to be concerned. It's normal for a person that eats so healthy and exercises to have 4-5 bowel movements per day. It's healthy to have at least one bowel movement for every meal that you eat. But, if it is always diarrhea, there is reason to be concerned. If that's the case, you can check for food sensitivities that may be causing it.

      Thanks for your post!

      Svea

      Delete
  33. Hi Svea,
    The moving of the bowls is not the problem here, but the floating stool. I had my gallbladder removed about 7 months ago (shortly after the birth of my daughter.) And in the past several weeks my stool has been floating. My intake of fiber and water is okay, as my general eating habits have not changed. Should I be worried here?
    Thanks for the help.
    Liza

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Liza,

      Floating stool usually indicates that you are not digesting fat well. A healthy bowel movement usually floats at first and then sinks as the fiber absorbs water.

      Are you still eating high fat meals? Doctors usually forgot to mention that you will have problems digesting fat after gallbladder removal. Some people even continue to have pain after their surgery if they are still eating lots of fat. It's really important to change your diet to reflect your body now (without a gallbladder). It's important to eliminate anything fried and high in fat.

      No reason for worry. You just have to be more mindful of your diet now. Usually the gallbladder is removed because their is some disharmony in the body. Even after it is removed, the disharmony may remain, but will show itself in a different way. I highly recommend seeing a Naturopath. Do you have one in your area?

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
    2. hello ms Svea I found out after my gallbladder was taken out you can take a natural bile salt called (Cholacol)you get on line or have health store order it.natural healing doctor was whom I learned it from in order to help with fat digestion and believe me it works and can tell when I don't take one before eating dairy or any fat.God bless and thanks for a wonderful site.

      Delete
    3. Fabulous. I'm happy to hear this. Let me know how the supplement works for you. You may also want to address the fundamental cause of your illness. Do you know what was wrong with your gallbladder? Some people form stones and therefore have their gallbladders removed, but we look at why they are forming stones. Even though you no longer have a gallbladder, the underlying cause still remains.

      Thank you for your comments!

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  34. For the past 5 years I've always had bowel habits that interfere with my daily living. I am a vegetarian and I follow a gluten free diet. I take aloe vera occasionally and that seems to help but not always. I take a regular probiotic and drink lemon juice in water, tea, etc about 5x daily.... in addition to a lot of plain water. First thing in the am I usually have the urge to have a bowel movement and sometimes it feels complete but not everyday.... they are usually loose but not too bad. Then I have tea or coffee and usually have another... looser. But throughout the day I often have several more... sometimes large and sometimes small... sometimes loose and sometimes not but I begin to feel constipated and lots of bloating. It gets really frustrating because I feel like a pregnant woman in all of my clothes. I don't know what's causing this but I'd really like to fix it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carrie,

      Thank you for your post. It sounds like you live a pretty healthy lifestyle. Have you ever had an allergy test done? It's very common to have food allergies even in the healthy foods you eat. Since you are a vegetarian, do you eat a lot of soy? Soy has the most allergens out of any other food, and so many people are sensitive (without realizing it). If you don't want to do an allergy test, you can always do a dietary test - where you eliminate certain foods and see how you feel. Start with any soy. Next go to dairy if you still eat any dairy products.

      Finally, I would suggest seeing a Homeopath. For some people nothing else works but homeopathy - mostly because there is some deep seated, stuck issue at play. Homeopathy clears those deep issues the best and fastest. I swear by it.

      Good luck! Let me know if I can help in any other way.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
    2. Thanks for your quick response... and for posting on the topic as I know it is hard for a lot of people to talk about "poop" and get embarrassed or think it is weird when they have a problem with it :). That being said, I'm not a tofu/ tempeh person but the soy is definitely there... it's in everything! I will try eliminating soy for a while (I am assuming you mean ALL soy incl. soy lethicin, soybean oil, etc.) Not easy but possibly worth it. Once I've given this and possibly milk elimination a try I'll see if I see any positive result. I am all about homeopathy and wish I knew more about it. I haven't ever had an allergy test done but mostly for cost reasons. I know my health should come first but with no insurance I don't always have the best options in care. Also anytime I use traditional medicine it seems to make problems worse... in all aspects of help and I found natural remedies to be more successful. I would be interested in your services, skype consultation, or otherwise once I've tried these things. How should I go about finding pricing info, etc? Thanks again! Carrie

      Delete
    3. Hi Carrie,

      You're welcome! I wouldn't suggest having an allergy test done by a conventional or traditional physician. They often want to put you on some sort of traditional treatment, which, like you said, makes matters worse sometimes. Many Naturopathic Practitioners also do allergy tests, and if you don't want to pay to have one done, then you can just work on it through dietary elimination.

      I did mean ALL soy. It's tough since it's in everything, but you will probably notice a HUGE difference!

      I would love to work with you. I charge $75 for my first appointment, which usually lasts between 1-2 hours. I try to have a follow-up every 6-8 weeks, which are $60 per hour. Sometimes, if you are doing well, follow-ups are only 1/2 hour ($30). It's definitely worth it, especially if you don't have health insurance. You can email me at svea @ nddoctor.net (remove the spaces between the @ sign)with any questions and/or to set up an appointment!

      Hope to talk to you soon. I'm excited to hear how it goes with soy elimination.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  35. Hi Svea,

    I have recently started to eat a cleaner diet, eating less carbs and replacing it with fresh vegetables and fruits. I noticed that when I only eat vegetables, fruits and smoothies, I get runny watery poo like diarrhea. It does not hurt and I don’t feel as if I’m dehydrated (as I already drink a lot of water) and do not feel ill.

    Is this ok? Is this just because I'm eating more vegetables and fruits? Is this normal or ok to go like this everyday?

    Many Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there!

      Many people have weird digestive changes when they start eating more fruits and vegetables. It's totally normal what you are experiencing. Keep up the healthy diet and your digestive system should normalize. You can also consider doing a psyllium fiber supplement - this will help with a more well-formed movement. Also, probiotics are always good!

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
    2. Thanks so much for the response Svea! What a relief.

      Delete
  36. I have formed stool 2 times a day somtimes 3 but it mostly always sinks ritee away and falls apart when I flush the toilet and seems like about 3-4 feet of stool a day has been happening for a few months is this normal besides that my stomic is gurgaling almost consrantly except at night but as soon as I wake up starts all over again diet has changed been drinking alot more water than ushual and slowed way down on drinks with caffene in them like coffee and pop still drink some but not as much as befor and I lost like 10 lbs over the last few months have leveled out but cannot gain any weight back at all

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Your bowel movements don't sound abnormal. It's good to eliminate all the stuff you are. The thing that concerns me is the weight loss. Do you eat enough food throughout the day? Do you have any other health conditions that would cause weight loss? I suggest seeing a Naturopath. That person will be able to look at your diet and give you dietary suggestions for gaining weight.

      Let me know if I can help.

      Svea

      Delete
  37. HI,
    Thank you for all in great info. Okay... Is there a way of knowing if you are "cleaned out" I mean what your eating is what you passing? I'm a vegan now and I just wonder if I have cleaned out all the extra weight from my meat eating days.
    Thank you,
    Katie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Katie,

      Thank you for your post. You really have to check in and see how you feel. Do you feel cleaned out? If your energy is high and you feel "light" then you probably are. I know vegan diets can be extremely healthy, but they can also be constipating as well -depending on how much grain vs. fruits/veggies you consume. Meat isn't the only thing that becomes stored in the digestive system. If you are sensitive to certain grains like wheat, that can be stored as well. Do you do annual cleanses? What about cleansing enemas? They will not only clean you out, but they will also give you so much energy!

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  38. I poop a lot and sometimes I have to use the bathroom withinh thirty minutes of going to the bathroom. I poop between 5 or 6 times a day there always normal, no diahrrea or watery or any of that

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Svea,
    I've always had regular and healthy bowel movements about 5 times a week. As soon as I started taking birth control, I hardly poo at all. I definitely feel constipated. Also, they've been skinny. What's going on? I've never done a cleanse before, what would you recommend?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Many women experience side effects from birth control. Digestive changes are included amongst these side effects. What kind of birth control are you taking? Is it taken orally (a pill by mouth) or was it a one-time injection? You could consider speaking to your doctor about changing your birth control -especially if you have other side effects. You can also consider working with more natural supplements to balance yourself. Also, are you on birth control for pregnancy prevention or menstrual pain control? There are many things we can do naturally for menstrual cramps if that's the case.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  40. Hi Svea, I have irregular bowel movement, I poop maybe once or twice a week. I get gas with just about anything I eat and I mean anything...this has been going on for years! I just went to Walgreens tonight and brought Gas-x and Metamucil Clear & Natural fiber supplement. I'm hoping the metamucil will regulate my bowel and the gas-x will control the gas. I was wondering could these problems be the reason why I have weight around my stomach and back that doesn't want to leave?? And am I starting to take the right things needed to improve my bowel movement and gas? I really want to get rid of my gut, I weigh 160, 5ft 5"and my biggest problem is my stomach and back have rolls.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      It's really important to get down to the root cause of your discomfort. I wouldn't suggest Gas-x or metamucil as those are only suppressing the symptoms of your problem. You have to figure out why your body is responding that way to foods, and it's different for everyone. The weight around your stomach will most likely stay until you resolve the underlying issue. I suggest seeing a Naturopath. Do you have one in your community?

      Do you take probiotics? That could be one thing to add to get on the right track. Probiotics can really help with the gas.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  41. Thank you so much for responding...I'm not sure if I have a Naturopath in my community but I will definitely look into it today. I just thought about it today, I had X-ray done on my stomach back in like 1998 to see if I had ulcers but it wasn't that and they said something about gastritis and prescribed ratidine or something like that. I can't remember much, I was 17 at the time and I'm 31 now. I do remember like four years ago I went to see if I had acid reflux and they gave me something to drink and it wasn't reflux when they did like a X-ray. I can relate to you saying the Gas-x and metamucil only suppressing the problem but I'm not sure if anything could be done. I will take your advice about probiotics and see if that helps. I may be able to find probiotics at a GNC store, I just want the problem gone and maybe my stomach will go down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds like it is becoming a more chronic problem (since you remember having some digestive stuff when you were 17). There are so many things that can be done naturally to not only help get rid of the problem, but also to get down to what is causing your disturbances. If you have any problem finding a naturopath, let me know and I can help you locate one. If not, I also do distance consults (either over the phone or over skype). It's important to take care of it now because it may continue to get worse over the years.

      Good healing,
      Svea

      Delete
  42. Hello, I have been having poop problems for most of my life. My diet is mainly fruits with some veggies. I am a skinny girl so I dont eat too much on a daily basis, a few peices of fruit and usually a salad with protein. I poop every other day but I force myself to. My poop is alright in the beginning, but as I wait for more to come, it starts to burn and cause pains in my lower abdomin along with extreme nausea. Also, it takes me about half an hour to poop and I feel sick for the rest of the day. I have done food sensitivity testing and stool sample testing. I eat no gluten and drink water throughout the day. No doctor can find a solution for me. I'm tired if this disrupting my life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      It sounds like you eat very healthy. Sometimes when you force yourself to have a bowel movement you can feel sick. Do you ever have the urge to go and go without forcing?

      It sounds like your case is much deeper than just a simple food fix. For situations like that, I like to suggest constitutional homeopathy. Homeopathy works on all levels - mental, emotional and physical. Sometimes bowel problems that have "no solution" are deeper and homeopathy helps to clear that block.

      Do you know a homeopath in your area? I do distance consults if you cannot find one. I highly recommend it - you will be amazed at the results.

      Delete
  43. Hello found this on website please could you help for more years than I can remeber I have had stomach problems with stomach pain and from constipation to dirohea.And going every day for 3-4 days in a row ( the max) to 3-4 times a week
    At the moment latest problems about 2 weeks ago was advise to reduce drinking pop and increase water I now drink at least 6 pints of water per day and have greatly reduce drinking pop but still do drink it ( not caffenine gave that up November last year as I was drinking 6 liters plus per day) But sorry to get back to my current problem I am now having very urgent bowl movements 2 and sometime more per day almost diorehea and extreme dioreha with bad stomach cramps for hours after even lasting all day. I also take one phyllius husk in the morning with my first pint of water and 2 acidophilus tablets every am, do not eat fruit but a lot of salads and veg. Please could you advice as my poo from the description on your website is not healthy and I am suffering from terrible stomach pains almost the whole of the day with no control of when I will have to run for the toliet and I do mean run, also should I increas the phyllius husk to more than one as I thought that would increas the times I go but from your website it might actually help make my bowl movements more solid? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello,

      It is great to hear that you have increased your water. Pop is very unhealthy.

      Did you notice any change when you started the psyllium?? Sometimes psyllium can cause stomach cramps and other digestive problems. Your body may not agree with it. If you haven't noticed a difference with the psyllium then that's not the culprit. Psyllium does provide bulk to your stool, but like I said above, make sure it agrees with you first.

      Have you ever done a parasite test? Sometimes parasites can cause these same digestive symptoms that you mention. A parasite cleanse may be in order - and should be for everyone, at least one time per year.

      I also suggest constitutional homeopathy since it seems to be a chronic issue. Do you have a homeopath in your area?

      I would love to work with you if you are interested. It's important to get down to the root of your issue.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
    2. Hello Thanks for replying to my query sorry to take so long to respond
      I have never had a Parasite Test? how would I go about this? I have about 2 weeks ago increase my Psyllium to 2 in the morning with a pint of water. I have good weeks and bad weeks and as I said I have had an upset stomach on and off as long as I can remeber with cramp like pain to a bloaty feeling, to constipated to dirroeha and wind
      I think it now gets me down more than it use to because I know that once it comes it can last for a couple of months at a time for no reason ( as far as I can tell)
      Well thanks again for the reply

      Delete
    3. Hi again,

      Parasite tests can be tricky because they aren't 100% accurate. But, looking at your symptoms, it's possible that you could have one or more (most/all people have at least one). It could also be other causes as well. It's important to work with someone that can get down to the root with you. I strongly suggest seeing a Naturopath.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
    4. Hello

      Thanks very much will try and look into that

      Delete
  44. I have had allergies and asthma since i was little and 12 yrs ago i had my gallbladder removed( i am 35 now) and ever since then, my bowl movements have been strange. the past week i poop 3-4 times a day if not more and it sinks and is like sand and i don't hardly eat, when i do i get severe cramps and have to rush to the bathroom 3-4 times after and at times the pain gets so bad it takes everything i have not to scream. I cant eat raw fruits or veggies, i am allergic to them... any suggestions or should i get in to my dr. a.s.a.p?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jess,

      The gallbladder helps us to digest our food. Without it, digestion changes. Are you able to eat any foods without severe cramps? You could check back in with your doctor, but chances are he/she may put you on a drug (that is most likely not necessary). Most docs aren't trained in nutrition. It's important to see somebody who knows more about nutrition and holistic health. A Naturopathic Doctor could really help. Do you know any in your area? It's important to find out which foods you are sensitive to and which ones you can digest easily.

      Let me know if you need help finding a Naturopathic Doc.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  45. Hi Svea,

    My Dr. recently told me I have an internal hemmorhoid and mild gastritis. I've had severe gastritis almost two years ago. He also did some sort of "tapping" with his fingers on my stomach and said that my left side of my abdomen was impacted with feces so he prescribed a stool softener and a suppository for the hemmorhoids, I've been taking the meds for 2 1/2 days now . I'd like to have regular bowel movements (I only have one a day, and that's only in the morning) and the meds haven't really changed anything. Any tips?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      It's really important to get down to the root cause of your problem. The stool softener and suppository are only working to help you relieve the symptom - they aren't working to relieve the cause (they are only momentary helpers). There is a cause to the gastritis as well as the impacted bowel. Sometimes causes can be nutritional - eating a diet that can cause impaction; stress - living a stressful life as to where the digestive system isn't working efficiently; etc. Many naturopathic practitioners will be able to help you down to the root cause. Do you have a Naturopath in your area?

      Also, have you tried healthy oils (Fish oil, flax oil, etc)? That sometimes helps to relieve constipation, but again, won't fix the root cause - but can provide some relief.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  46. Hello, I had a baby 5 months ago and I am breastfeeding and I have hard pebble like stools. During my pregnancy it was this way as well. Once in awhile I have normal healthy stools, but usually there small and hard pebbles, I also have anal itching could these be tied together? I have been taking a fiber filled smoothie every morning with flax seeds in it aswell, but i still have this problem:(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      How much water are you drinking? Since you are breastfeeding, you should be drinking much more than you normally drink to stay hydrated. This could cause constipation (and hard pebble like stools). This can also cause hemorrhoids (not to mention childbirth causing hemorrhoids) and hemorrhoids can be very itchy. Do you notice any hemorrhoids? If so, you can get some witch hazel (sold at most super markets) and put it directly on the hemorrhoid. It will help to shrink it. There are many other things you can do as well. An essential fatty acid supplement would also be good and lubricating to your bowel.

      If this does not resolve it, I would be happy to work with you. I do distance consults over phone or skype (or if you live close, you can come to my clinic). Email me if you are interested in working together.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  47. i was put on coumadin last july after having a dvt. it took my blood forever to get to the theraputic range.as soon i became regulated and after getting increased to 10 mg a day i started noticing bright red streaks of blood on my stool and on the tp.
    my family dr. is sure it is internal hemrroids and being on coumadin makes them come to life and bleed easier. what are your thoughts? thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      I would have to agree with your doctor. Coumadin is a pretty serious blood thinner and it would cause internal (or external) hemorrhoids to bleed much more than if you were not on it. Red blood indicates bleeding near the anus while darker/black blood indicates bleeding inside the intestines, stomach, etc.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  48. Hi I am 25 and been having major problems. I am not having normal bowel movements. They are loose like sand and sink. My stomach always cramps and been having bleeding problems because of hemmoehoids. I use the restroom about 12 or more times a day. This has been going on for about 3-4 months And it's driving me crazy. Any suggestions as to what I can do or what's going on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ramona,

      There could be many different reasons why this is happening. What was happening 3-4 months ago? I would be happy to work with you to get to the bottom of it. Please email me at: svea @ nddoctor.net (remove spaces by the @).

      I hope to hear from you.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  49. As to the original post, Elvis did in no way have 50lbs of poop in him. This is impossible. This is simply another story from the colon cleanse enterprise that have people believing they could actually have this sort of impaction. I have had a Dr. tell me that anything over two pounds would force a person to the E.R because of the pain. You can google this and verify it from a reliable site. Just wanted to clear that up. Also, saying that everyone must poop everday is another colon cleanse enterprise pack of lies. Less than three times a week is not good. However it may be perfectly normal for some people to only go three times a week. Think about all of this. This colon cleanse scare tatic that they have misinformed the public with is for one reason only. They want your money. So, put away any thoughts that you are holding 10 20 30 40 50 pounds of poop. Its not possible. Pictures you may see suppporting this, look futher down and for sure you will see some colon cleanse b.s. some co. is trying to sell you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Raemoon,

      Fair enough - I do not have the official document saying that Elvis had 50 pounds of fecal matter - and for this reason your comment cannot be verified either.

      What I do know - our body doesn't absorb every piece of food we eat. Our body absorbs small, tiny, microscopic particles of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbs and fat. If we absorbed everything we ate, our weight would fluctuate tremendously. And, there is no way that we sweat out what we eat either if we did absorb that much food. A healthy rule of thumb is that we should be pooping every time we eat. When we have a healthy functioning digestive tract - we do have 2-3 bowel movements per day.

      To share my personal experience - I have a healthy functioning digestive system - and I have a healthy number of bowel movements per day. If I eat foods that my body doesn't like (like wheat and dairy), my digestive processes change tremendously - even from one meal. I can even go days without pooping - and I can tell too because it's accompanied by sluggishness and headaches. Are you saying that it's normal for me to go three times per week? Even if I don't feel well? Sorry, but I don't buy that.

      So many people only go three times per week and have fatigue and headaches. Those aren't "normal" or "healthy" symptoms. I'm not selling any products. I am going off my own experience in working with people. If you google "Bernard Jensen" you will find some of his work on colon cleansing and impacted fecal matter. It's quite fascinating and shocking at the same time.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  50. Hi Sea. I have read all of the posts and replies and I have a similar issue yet different in some ways. I am 42 years old. I started using an online calorie tracker about a year ago and I have lost 43 lbs by a 1200 - 1500 calorie intake with exercise 6-7 days a week since. I went from eating a lot of fried greasy foods to more healthy intake of fruits and veggies. I rarely eat red meat. Mostly fish and chicken and I drink 64 oz of water per day. According to my diary of my food intake, I am eating sometimes more than the rda of fiber. To get to my issue, I have a hard time going to poop maybe 1-3 times a week. I started taking Colon Cleanse with probiotics and it has only made my stool a bit softer but it is still little pellet like and does not float. What am I doing wrong in my diet? I want to fix this and it just mask it. I am otherwise health and full of energy and i enjoy exercising daily. Please help get me on the right track. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mel,

      Your diet sounds very healthy. Are you eating a lot of dairy and wheat products (bread, noodles, etc)? Both can cause constipation. That's one thing to consider. Otherwise, there are so many other things you can do besides diet. It's really important to get down to what is causing the constipation. I would be happy to work with you. Please email me at: svea @ nddoctor.net (take out the spaces between the @).

      Thanks for your post!

      Svea

      Delete
  51. HI um, my question is since the past 3 days or so every single time i eat something i feel like i have to poop...and i dont want to see a specialist about it...do i have a parasite
    please help

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Is the urge really strong? Or is it a normal urge to go? It's not bad to have a bowel movement every time you have a meal. But, if the urge is too strong and you are uncomfortable, it's possible that you have a parasite. Have you eaten or drank anything out of the ordinary? If this continues, I would suggest a parasite cleanse under the supervision of a Naturopath.

      Let me know if I can help.

      Svea

      Delete
  52. Hi.
    Im 24 years old and I've been eating clean with lots of veggies, fruits and fibre. And drink enough water daily. My problem is I only have a bowel movement once in every three days. I don't know what's wrong with me.

    Maya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maya,

      It sounds like your diet is good. Do you eat a lot of dairy or wheat (noodles, breads, etc). These can be very constipating. If that doesn't resolve your problem, I would be happy to work with you. It's really important to get down to the root cause of the constipation.

      Let me know if you would like to set up an appointment.

      Svea

      Delete
  53. Hello,
    Since late december I have been feeling bloated a lot, sometimes all day. It was worse in the winter, dec-march. I went to the doctor but she didn't think anything was wrong, so of course she just told me to take more fiber. Oh, and during this period of bloating and feeling full I've been constipated. I've also gained like 5/6 lbs. Nowadays I still get constipated but for the last couple of days I've been able to go to the bathroom. (Usually im constipated for around 2 weeks then I have a period of "release" for a couple days). I've been trying to eat healthier since a week or so ago. What do you think is wrong? Is this weight gain because of my bloating/constipation? Although I've noticed the weight gain (2/3lbs) before december? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Thank you for your post. Increased fiber can actually cause MORE bloating. Has the weight gain increased since constipation or did you have the constipation first? I don't think there is anything "wrong" with your body. It could be the foods you are eating that are causing the bloating and constipation. It could be other things as well (parasites, etc). I would suggest seeing a Naturopath. I would be happy to work with you. If you are interested, please email me at: svea @ nddoctor.net (take out the spaces between the @).

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the reply Svea!

      I think I first experienced 2/3lbs of weight gain, then bloating, then constipation. Then I gained another 2/3lbs a couple weeks ago. (Which are gone right now but might creep back in). I probably sound very picky with the weight, but I've been the same weight for years no matter what I ate, so a couple extra pounds scared me. Not sure if it's just a part of getting older (I just recently turned only 20...) or what.

      Currently I'm drinking water everyday (which i never used to) and eating a bit healthier and I've actually been going to the bathroom regularly. Do you think that all of the sudden my body is sensitive to certain foods?

      Delete
    3. Hi again,

      When you start eating healthier foods, your body will become sensitive to foods that aren't good for you. You will notice more gas and bloating (especially with foods like wheat and dairy products).

      Your age isn't a factor in the weight gain/bloating. It has more to do with the foods you are eating and your lifestyle. The more you exercise, the higher your metabolism will be (and the more calories you will expend in a day). And, like I said - once you start eating healthier your body will respond to the foods that are not good for you.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  54. I keep eating everyday, and feel hungry everyday. But when I go to the bathroom not much is coming out. I have no pain in my stomach, but have had some pain in my gallbladder area but not bad pains. Could I be constipated because my gallbladder isn't working properly. I have been taking medimucil for 3 days and it doesn't seem to help. I don't even get the urge to go anymore. What can I do? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Have you had a long term problem with constipation, or is it a new thing? The metamucil may not help if the problem is caused by something different. What have you changed in your diet/life? It could have something to do with your gallbladder, but remember, the gallbladder is just a reflection of what you are putting in your body (there is nothing "wrong" with your gallbladder). It's important to look at your food and lifestyle and see what could be causing the problem. I would be happy to work with you. Please email me if you are interested: svea @ nddoctor.net (take out spaces between @).

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  55. Hi Svea,

    I have weird problem. I sometimes have 6-8 bowel movments. With gas problems starting in the evening. I had my colonoscopy done and everything is fine. I got my blood test done too and I am not alegic to gluten. Any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks
    Jason

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jason,

      Have you ever worked with a holistic nutritionist (or someone else that analyzed your diet)? It's good to know that you are not allergic to gluten. Do you consume a lot of dairy products? Dairy can often cause gas, bloating and abnormal bowel movements (either too many or too few). Also, do you consume caffeine?

      There are many different avenues to look at. It's hard for me to give you suggestions without know your full diet. I would be happy to work with you to get this straightened out. Let me know if you are interested.

      Be Well,
      Svea

      Delete
  56. I have been having a issues going poop for years now , but this last year has been really , really bad. I go poop every 4 to 5 days and when I go it comes with cramps and nausea. I have no insurance so I can't just go to the Doctor. NEED ADVICE !!! PLEASE HELP !!!

    IN PAIN !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Liaz,

      Thank you for your post. I'm so sorry to hear about your pain. It can be very frustrating. It's very difficult for me to give you suggestions here since there are so many avenues to explore. I would really need to look over your diet, lifestyle, water intake, etc to see where the imbalance lies. I work with many people without insurance. I also work on a sliding scale if you aren't able to afford my fees. I can work with your budget. Please email me at: svea @ nddoctor.net (take out the spaces between the @). Let's get this figured out together and get you out of pain!!!!

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  57. Hey.
    I'm 29 years old. I've always had issues with irregular bowel movements. I only go about once per week. And about every two weeks I will get ridiculous cramping that brings me to tears, and i will start sweating a lot too, I'm assuming just from the pain...I will sit on the toilet for 40 minutes at a time, I refuse to get up cause I low I have to go, at first it will be a super constipated stool that I can litterally feel passing through my intestines...followed by really soft diarhea like stool...and so much of it!!!!!!! I swear I'm five pounds lighter when I'm done. It's very painfull not to mention awful and embarassing when at work or out visiting. I'm taking probiotics, and they seem to help a little bit, I'm pooping closer to 2-3 times per week, but am still getting the crazy painfully poop every two weeks or so....frustrated...and in the midst of finding a new doctor...as my regular doctor tells me simply that i have ibs and to look it up online. He didn't do any sort of testing or anything!?!?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Crystal,

      Thank you for your post. WOW!!! How frustrating our doctors can be sometimes!

      I work with many people that are in similar shoes as you. Probiotics can help a little bit, but it will only relieve the problem while you are taking them. There are so many other avenues to explore. We could look at your diet, lifestyle, water intake, etc etc. It's really important to get down to the root of what is causing the constipation, so it goes away FOREVER.

      I would love to work with you. I do distance consults via skype or phone if you do not live close by. Please email me at: svea @ nddoctor.net (take out the spaces between the @). I hope to hear from you.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  58. Hi Svea!

    For a little while now my poop has been strange. I poop every morning at the same time - once per day. But my poop looks like a pile of dirt...usually a lot. When I have to poop...it comes on all of a sudden and I have to poop right that second.

    I'm wondering what is happening and what I should be looking into as causes.

    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      It's actually very good to be able to poop at the same time (and every day). Does the urge feel more like diarrhea? What happens if you don't go right that second?

      Have you been eating different foods? It's possible that you are sensitive to a food that you are eating - causing the loose stools. You could try to bulk them up with a good fiber supplement (psyllium hulls is the best).

      If this is still a concern for you, please email me at: svea @ nddoctor.net (take out the spaces between the @). I work with people via skype or phone.

      Thank you for your post.

      Svea

      Delete
  59. Hi there.
    I'm a female and i'm 22 years old. For the past year or so my poop has been a constant pebble like substance. Always hard and coming out in various colors of brown. Things that could of caused this is in the last 2 years i have been eating out practically everyday, mostly drive thru burger/hot dog type places. I try to find something healthy to eat but nothing to my liking. Also for the last year I have been taking birth control pills and continue to take them. In January my lower left side started to hurt when i would try to go to the bathroom, whether it was to go pee or poop. So then I went to a doctor and he said it was just constipation and gave me pain pills for the pain and suggested i take some sort of fiber supplement. So i took metamucil and then switched to fiber chew pills because it was more convenient. But still i have pebble like poop. So then i took prunelax, the laxative, and i continued to take it for about a week or two. Within that week or so it gave me really bad pains in my lower left and right side and it was so hard to get to the bathroom. I was practically in tears when i was tying to poop. The poop, those two times, started out pebble like then ended with a diarrhea type poop. I still poop pebble like poop and my lower sides still give me pain, but now since it has pretty much hurt everyday that i have gotten used to the pain where it's sort of just second nature to me. I poop maybe 1-3 times a week. My poop is still pebble like. The color varies from really dark brown to sometimes a pale looking brown. The smell also varies from really smelly to just a regular smell. If you could help me out, it would be really helpful. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello.

      The food you are eating is probably one culprit. Fast food/burger/hot dog type foods are very constipating.

      I wouldn't suggest taking a lot of laxative because you can become dependent on them.

      Have you worked with a Naturopath? It's difficult to give suggestions on here because I don't know all of your symptoms. An appointment with a Naturopath usually lasts 1.5-2 hours for the first appointment.

      I would be happy to work with you if you are interested. I do distance consults. Please email me to set up an appointment.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  60. Hi Svea,

    I have recently changed my diet due to possible GERD or LPR symptoms. I have cut out alcohol, stopped smoking (was only a casual smoker), cut out excessive fats (trans), cut down on caffine (only green tea), increased fiber intake and probiotics (yakult) and fruits and veggies. I have been monitoring my stools and I am finding that they range from floating (stay floating even after a minute or so then I flush), to sinking gradually once absorbed by water, to sinking straight to the bottom. Is this just my system trying to balance itself? I am also experiencing gas on a regular basis (more than normal but not chronic). I am on Nexium 20mg for the reflux and am having a gastroscopy next week to investigate. I am more concerned about the infrequency of stool floating to sinking (sometimes in one movement some sinks gradually and some floats). Thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Thank you for your post. It sounds like you are on the right track with changing your diet and lifestyle. Many people have variable bowel movements, ranging from floating to sinking - mostly depending upon the food they are eating.

      Floating stools mostly indicate fat that hasn't been properly digested. Nexium causes floating stools because it decreases the amount of acid in your stomach (that breaks down fat and protein). That could be one reason for your bowel movements that have both floating and sinking.

      It's really important to figure out what is causing the GERD or LPR - the acid definitely makes it painful, but what is causing the excess acid? Yes, Nexium can "help" but only does more damage in the long run. Decreasing the acid isn't the answer - figuring out what is causing it and removing that cause is the most important thing.

      I would like to suggest seeing a Naturopath. It's difficult to give suggestions when I don't know your exact diet or your medical history. I do distance consults if you are interested, or know of a lot of Naturopaths all over the world. Please let me know if you are interested.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  61. Hi Svea,
    Thanks for the reply. I thought Nexium may have been contributing to the changes in stools (the good thing is they remain consistent in colour, light brown to brown). I have also been monitoring my weight. Initially i did loose some (im putting that down to a significant change in diet for the better), but now it has stabilised and has sat around 80Kgs for the past couple of weeks. I am assuming this is a good thing as I am assuming I am not loosing too much fat in my stools.
    I am having a gastroscopy next week to investigate the GERD like symptoms (luckily I dont suffer from heartburn, thats why Im suspecting LPR). A Naturopath recommeded aloe vera juice twice a day which I am taking, but I am happy to be recommended a Naturopath in Victoria Australia if you know of one that far away!.
    Thank you so much for your advice and reply. I am a nervous nelly at the moment and always think of the worst when it comes to floating stools. You have put my mind at ease.
    Cheers, Troy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Troy,

      Thank you for your post. I'm happy to hear that you spoke to a Naturopath that recommended the aloe very juice.

      No need to be a nervous nelly!! Every person's stools vary from movement to movement - some floating, some sinking, some soft, some hard, etc. If you have other symptoms of discomfort, then it is important to seek help at that point. But, also remember that stress and anxiety and nervousness can affect our bowel movements too! Ironically, your nervousness may be changing your bowel movements.

      I don't know of any Naturopath specifically in Victoria, Australia but would be happy to help you find one if you are seeking one in your city. If not, I work with people from other countries over skype. It works out well and I can help people all over the world!

      Many blessings to you Troy. Good luck at your gastroscopy.

      Cheers,
      Svea

      Delete
  62. Hi,

    I have a five year old daughter who has battled constipation since she was two. I breast fed her till she was 15 months old. She has always had a very healthy diet , no soda and minimal candy. Tons of fresh veggies and fruit little to no juice and lots of water and 1% milk fresh from the dairy no hormones antibiotics. nothing I have tried has helped her . she can drink an entire 32 oz bottle of prune juice in one day with no effect and eat several actual prunes and she will not poo. Currently out of desperation I have her on one teaspoon of miralax a day and she poops almost every day. However I hate having her on this for so long. I have upped her fiber through veggies and fresh food and even tried a fiber supplement. I poop 3-4 times a day and she eats the same food as me. She is on a chewable probiotic as well... I am at my wits end trying to figure this out. Any advice ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      What kind of probiotic is she currently taking? You may want to consider giving her a higher "dose" of probiotic. You may also want to try taking her off dairy completely - you can substitute her calcium with dark green leafy veggies like kale. You could try it for one month and see if it helps - dairy can cause constipation in people who are sensitive.

      In addition to that I recommend seeing a good homeopath. Homeopathy can really alleviate this issue permanently. Do you have one in your area? I do distance work via skype if you're interested.


      Svea

      Delete
  63. Hello Svea,
    I have a problem with my bowels when i eat right after i get bloated and and my stomach makes gurgling noises and i get pains and i have a bowel movement go back to my desk and my stomach still acts up i still have to go to the bathroom again sometimes its diarhea other times its just small maybe 2inch and they sink.. i get this everyday and i end up going to the bathroom about 10times daily.. i do not believe that this is normal especially with my stomach pains and the urgency .. I drink water on a regular basis my diet varies as i have a disease called PKU (i lack the enzyme that breaks down protein) anyway i am not sure if i should go to the dr or if there is something else i can do..I can not handle it, it seems everytime i eat i feel awful...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Have you ever checked out the possibility of parasites? I can't say for sure because every case is very different, but your symptoms make this a possibility. I work with people over skype if you are interested in having an appointment. Your problem can be healed - you don't have to live like that.

      Contact me through the contact tab above if you are interested.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  64. Hi Svea,

    I'm 21 years old and for the past couple of months I've noticed that every time I wake up my stomach will right away start making all sorts of noises and I get a huge urge to defecate. Sometimes I'm able to defecate but other times gas just comes out. I've also noticed that my stomach will make abnormally loud noises right after I eat or sometimes just randomly throughout the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      It's difficult to give you advice because I don't know your whole story, symptoms, etc. I do distance consults with people all over the world via skype, if you are interested. One thing you can do now, start looking at your diet to see what you're sensitive to - what could be causing gas - the major culprits are usually dairy or wheat, although there are many others as well. Let me know if you would like to set up an appointment by contacting me through the contact link above.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  65. Hello! First off, thanks for a great article.

    I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (they make up most of diet) but my vegetables seem to come out undigested. I was on antibiotics for about six months for a very stubborn ear infection but I finished my last round in January. I took probiotics for a couple of weeks after that but can I still be lacking healthy flora?
    My first two meals are about 95 percent raw fruits and veggies and my dinner includes animal proteins and non gluten carbs (quinoa, brown rice,etc). I am eating the healthiest I've ever have so I'm not sure what's up with my poop :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You could be lacking healthy flora, but I don't think that's the culprit of undigested food. What blood type are you? Blood type O tends to have more stomach acid and can digest very well, while blood type A has less stomach. If you are a blood type O and are having a hard time digesting, it could be stomach acid. It's hard to say though since I don't know the rest of your case. I work with people via skype if you are interested in having an appointment. You can contact me through my contact form.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  66. Hi, My friend pointed out your article to me, which I find very interesting.
    My 10-year old son has had a bloated stomach since he was about 6 years old. He did tend to hold his movements as he was too busy playing and I knew this was a problem but not to have a constant bloated stomach. After ruling out a wheat allergy, the peadiatritian finally diagnosed him as having Chronic Constipation and told me to give him Senacot to ensure he goes at least every other day and his stomach bloating should gradually subside over time. His stomach was still bloated after months and he was getting pains, I returned him to the doctors who then gave him Movicol as they believed he was constipated again. He had only not been for a couple of days.

    He still has a bloated stomach and when he does go, almost every day, he does enough for a bloke to be proud of. He has also started to vomit in the mornings, albiet not a lot but enough for the school to not let him attend. The doctor now prescribed him anti-acid tablets to stop the sickness.

    I believe there is something lacking or excessive in his stomach digestive juices to be causing this bloating. My son does eat a varied diet and enjoys his fruit and veg, although it sometimes has an adverse effect on his stomach.

    Any ideas?

    Regards

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      It sounds like the doctors are just prescribing to his symptoms and not getting down to the reason he is bloated. It's really most important that you work with someone who can get down to the bottom of it. Unfortunately, most doctors only prescribe medicines based on symptoms. Have you checked other foods that he could be allergic to? Sometimes dairy can cause the symptoms you are talking about, wheat can too (although you said that was ruled out - did you do a 1-month wheat free test with him??), as well as soy, eggs, nuts, etc. Another thing you can consider is researching parasites and bloating in children. That is a common problem with digestive symptoms in many people (but once again, doctors usually don't even consider this as a possibility). I would be happy to work with him from a distance (skype) if you want. If not, seek out a homeopath or naturopath in your area.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  67. I have travel to Barbados and I haven't had a bowel movement since Monday on the plane its now Thursday and still nothing. Is because of a change in my environment. What do think I should do. I been stomach issues too, such as pain in my stomach after eating, i have changed my eating habits eating breakfast and not eating past 9pm. I had stomach issues since March.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many people experience traveler's constipation - myself included. Changes in environment, changes in food, stress, etc can cause constipation.

      Stomach issues can arise from a variety of causes. It's hard to say what the cause of yours is since I don't know how story. I do distance consults through skype if you want to work with me. If not, I suggest finding a naturopath or homeopath in your area.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  68. Hi Svea,
    I am a 25 year old woman and have had healthy bowel movements all my life. I would poop 2-3 times daily very easily and feel completely cleaned out each time. I was so regular that my family would make fun of how fast and regular I was. Within the past year I have gotten my first, second, and third yeast infection.(2 of which I took doctor prescribed pills, 1 of which they tripled the dosage) I have also taken cephalexin(40 pills 4 times a day ) for a bug bite that wouldn't go away. I have gotten the stomach flu twice ( I haven't had a cold or flu since I was 10). I have a good diet lots of fruits, veggies, nuts, and beans. i started juicing and taking probiotics and started to feel healthy again but within the last 3 months I have slowly become constipated. I was going maybe 1 every 2-3 days with no urges just me forcing to sit on the toilet. I have stopped probiotics but still juice and drink prune juice as well. I am at the point now where I go 1 everyday but still have to force them out. The poop is always hard and looks like clay, and it breaks easily into balls. Its as if i have less lubrication and contractions. I'm frustrated and feel like I will never go bAck to my frequent and effortless bowel movements. What can I do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did something happen in your life around this time? It seems like you are eating well (although I would need to look at a 3-day diet diary to really analyze your diet). Sometimes stressful events can cause constipation. Another thing to consider is side effects from the drugs you were taking for the yeast infection and the bug bite. I found a connection between cephalexin and constipation online - many people report having constipation from that drug "I've been on cephalexin for four days for a skin infection. 500mgs four times a day for one week. So far my digestion is a mess. I've experienced constipation all four days without any diarrhea." I'm happy to work with you if you are interested. It is certainly possible to get back to where you were before. I do distance work via skype if you live far away from Montreal. Contact me through my contact tab above.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  69. hey Svea

    I am a teenage girl who has problems with going to the toilet and I rarely feel done. I go twice a day usually but sometimes maybe 3. I eat very good and have a balanced diet. I go once in the morning and then after school. Sometimes I feel relieved such as in the morning after I have been to the toilet but usually I will go for one after school and I drink plenty through out the day but it doesn't feel complete. But after about 5 to 10 minutes after not feeling fully done I feel fine and the feeling goes. I exercise each day, i have lots of juice/ water, fruit. My stools are never really firm they're just smooth just as they should be. I have been suffering with this fear of constipation for almost a year now and I just want it to go because it makes me worry a lot. My parents say it's just the thought of it that makes it worse. I haven't been constipated for about 5 years but I do everything to avoid it. Juts the thought stops me from going on school holidays and long days out because my mind is set on 'what if I need to go to the toilet'. I am one of those people that can only go when at home and when I am around people that I feel comfortable being with.

    would be a great help if you could give me some tips on keeping my diet good and exercises etc so I don't have to live with this worry anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hi Svea,

    I have recently changed my diet. It has more fiber in it & is more habitual. I eat comparable things at comparable times each day. Its been at least 3 weeks if not more. I have a salad for lunch everyday and I have protein (either meat or beans) and cheese on it. I thought my bowl movements would have settled down by now. Especially since I am eating pretty much the same things everyday. I am also drinking plenty of water. However, my stools are not typically solid and there is food in it. Typically tomato skins and spinach/lettuce. Aside from chewing better, which I will definitely try to focus on, could I have thrown my system out of wack? I am not in pain & I feel so much healthier & regular.

    Thank you,

    Stash

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stash,

      How would you have thrown your system "out of wack"? Which blood type are you? I also am not sure what you mean by "I thought my bowel movements would have settled down by now." What are they like?

      If you would like to go a little deeper, I suggest a consultation with me either in my office or via skype (if you live far away from Montreal, Canada). Contact me if you would like to set up an appointment.

      Svea

      Delete
    2. Hi Svea,

      my poo really smells and i am afraid, i may have passed it on to my daughter. Is there anything we can do . I am 40 years and she is 22 months old. I dont want her to have embarrassing moments growing up coz of stinky poo! please help. Color is ok and frequency appreas normal form above discussions.

      Delete
    3. Hi there,

      It's difficult to give you advice on here because I don't know what is causing it to smell. There are many different things that could be the cause. I would really need to look at a 3-5 day diet diary. If you are interested in working with me, please contact me through my contact form above.

      Svea

      Delete
  71. Tom Harris-BrassilJune 17, 2013 at 6:46 AM

    "Doesn't it feel good to turn around and see a well formed and super-long bowel movement?!"

    Doesn't it ever!

    Svea - I have a loose sphincter due to some rough handling in the past and I have trouble keeping it in. This is very embarassing and can make me socially awkward.

    Do you have any advice on how I can control this to either get clean earlier during the day or - ideally - tighten up my anal area back to what it was in high school?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tom,

      Thank you for your post. Sometimes if you take probiotics at night, you will wake up and have a good bowel movement. You can also try astringent herbs like witch hazel that helps to tone the tissues. Google astringent herbs for rectal prolapse.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  72. Svea,

    I have bowel movements 1-3 times per week. Only occasionally do I feel constipated. Mostly I eat unprocessed foods (beans, fruits, vegetables) with some dairy. My poop is usually solid, well formed and odorless and comes out cleanly. I'm O positive blood type. Is it possible to be healthy (I have no symptoms of illness) without daily poop?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really depends on how you feel. Do you feel emptied out each time you have a bowel movement? Really, you should poop everyday - although I don't want to say that you cannot be healthy if you do not. If you feel good, then that is what matters. Some things you can do to encourage bowel movements more often - try to stop with the dairy and see if that makes a change and make sure you are drinking enough water (1/2 your body weight in ounces of quality water per day).

      Delete
  73. hi so im actually pregnant about 14 weeks and for the last month and a 1/2 my BM have been watery and I go as much as i have to pee (which feels like every 10 mins) i drink tons of water i eat fiber ive done what they call the BRAT diet ive done everything ive been on 3 or 4 rounds of antibiotic due to utis but i get them because im dehydrated and im dehydrated because i have constant diarrea ive mention it to my doctor at my last two appts and they just pass it off but this last week its like looking into the toilet after i just had a episode of morning sickness (no food on my stomach) and the threw sand in there i dont know what to do anymore. HELP!?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This really requires an appointment with a naturopath. You have to figure out what is causing the diarrhea, and that could take some investigation. I work with people through skype if you are interested. Actually, my main focus in practice is working with pregnant women. Let me know if you are interested in working with me. Contact me through my contact tab at the top of this page.

      Hope to hear from you.
      Svea

      Delete
  74. Hi Svea. So glad I stumbled upon this. You seem very informative, and I have big problems with this aspect of life. I am 23 years old. What I am about to explain to you has been going on since I was 5 years old, maybe sooner (I cant remember any further back). I have a bowel movement typically once a month, maybe two to three. Some months, though, I will have a week of bowel movements 1-2 times a day, and then nothing for another month. Every time I have a bowel movement, it hurts to the point I cry. I can be walking in Walmart and feeling okay, and then all of a sudden my stomach feels like a hundred knives are going in it, and I have to rush to the bathroom. I have had two little girls, and I can tell you right now that my bowel movements hurt worse than labor. Also on the rare times that I do go, I do not feel that I have got everything out so it still hurts for a few hours after. I do get hemmorhoids a lot as well, because I always feel constipated and sometimes on my once a month bowel movement I feel so much pressure to go the bathroom, but nothing will come out for days. My bowel movements are not long, short and bulky. They also have like white/green in them (little patches) What could be going on? This pain is almost unbearable, I have cried during bowel movements ever since I can remember and that just isn't normal! :( I also have a lot of blood sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      I think it's really important for you to see a naturopath or homeopath. It's really important to get down to the root of what is causing such severe constipation (and a naturopath or homeopath could do that). I would be really happy to help you (I work through Skype if you aren't near Montreal, Canada). Please contact me through the contact tab above and we will work to resolve this issue for you so you have more regular bowel movements with little to no pain.

      Delete
  75. i use to be constipated all the time, like every 2 weeks. But i fixed that problem and i have been regular for 3 months. now since monday, i have to FORCE my self to poop. and when i do, i barely only get a few pebbles. its wednesday now and i only pooped 1 pebble. today i had prune juice and fruits. i need some help :( what should i do. im 15 btw

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did you change something in you normal routine? How did you fix the problem before?

      Contact me through my contact form above.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  76. Hi Svea, Thank you for this site, very informative. My problem is frequent pooping several times a day but mostly morning & mostly urgent.Not diahhrea; however, not firm. I have hypothyrodism & take Armour Thyroid, 60 MG, Menopause & take Prempro .45 MG, I had a small polyp removed 6 months ago & was told to increase my fiber intake, so I take 3 capsules of Psyllium Husk daily. I have diverticulitis (not sure if that means anything but having gas) My diet is ok; however, I dont eat alot of fruits/veggies but I only eat once or twice daily. I do have alot of stress w/my job. I don't drink alot of water since I have an overactive bladder & drink 2 cups of coffee daily. Please help because the urgency makes me afraid to go places for fear of having to find a washroom,quickly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      Digestive ailments are often strongly tied to stress levels (and food intolerances, of course). Coffee can also cause diarrhea. It sounds like you need to look very closely at your diet, straighten that out and then look at your stress levels. I would be happy to help - I offer diet analysis with suggestions as well as more comprehensive consultations. Please contact me through my contact form above.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  77. I have a question. I have always had a fast matablizium, by that I mean if I eat something i'm pooping it out in around 9hr.. my poop is always watery and or not together at all. my stomach is always messed up and I have bad hemorrhoids. some days I fell like complete crap until around 1pm. I eat some what regular, I usually skip breakfast and have like toast and coffee, then eat a sanwhich or two for lunch or left overs and like steak veggies and salad for dinner or something like that. I eat fruit, not everyday tho. I really dont know if this is normal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you could be sensitive to some foods you are eating. You could try to eliminate certain foods to see if it makes a difference. It also sounds like you could use a more in depth consultation. Please contact me if you are interested.

      Delete
  78. Just started eating all raw 5 weeks ago poop didn't smell to bad . Now that I've eating tofu cooked 2 times this week it looks okay and is floating but stinks. I take a lot of vitamins and a allegery pill daily. Can I get it from smelling bad?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Soy is on the list of top allergy foods. Many people can't tolerate it. It may not be a good source of protein for you. Stop eating it and see what happens.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the quick reply. No soy no smell.

      Your awesome!

      Delete
  79. Since I have moved in with my fiance I have changed my diet to eating more fruits and vegetables. Before I moved in with him I never worried about pooping or how often I pooped. He poops about 3 times a day and I struggle to go once a week. I have been weighing myself to see if my weight changes and this morning I actually weighed less. I am very concerned about why I am not going to the bathroom regularly. Over the last month I have taken a laxative pill four times and I feel great after they work, but I am worried about needing such a thing when they are not safe for long term use. I have tried taking Metamucil, but it does not really work. Besides drinking tons of water what can I do to naturally make myself go to the bathroom regularly?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there,

      There are many changes that you could make to make your bathroom habits more regular. It's difficult to give you suggestions here since I don't know your history or your current diet/lifestyle. Laxatives are not good since you can become dependent upon them. The more you use them, the more you will need them.

      I do work with people via skype if you are interested in having an appointment. Contact me through the contact tab above.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  80. Hi, I have a few questions.
    So, a few months ago I have become constipated and it was hard for me to go. I felt like I had to, but I strained and only little pellets came out and sometimes nothing. It was horrible. So about 2 months after that, my parents took me to the doctor and I was prescribed with Dulcolax Laxatives & Bran Buds cereal as a fiber supplement. I took 3 of those laxatives each day for a good month and a half. In the beginning of summer break, I stopped taking the laxatives as i knew that i would end up dependant on them. Instead i started drinking Prune Juice every morning or every other day, in hopes that I could go to the bathroom normally. It is now almost the end of summer and I still cannot really go without taking anything. I'm usually bloated by the end of each day, and my stomach flattens out in the morning again. When I eat, sometimes I feel full even if i havent eaten a lot. It's a horrible feeling.
    I haven't had a large "poop" in awhile... but i go at least once a day/every other day because of the prune juice. and i'm worried if i might be impacted? I try to drink a good amount of water & try my best to eat lots of fibre. I'm not sure what to do. I am only 13. I just want to be able to stop taking prune juice or whatever to make me go, to stop the bloating and just go regularly and not worry about what i'm eating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes too much fiber can also cause constipation. In order to start going normally again, you need to figure out what is making you constipated. There may be something in your diet that is causing it, or something in your mental/emotional state that is causing it. Some of the common things that cause constipation: wheat and dairy. Try eliminating those things and see what happens.

      Let me know if I can help further. I also do diet consultations, if you are interested.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  81. Hi Svea,
    What would you say is the most common reason for rarely feeling like you have had a complete bowel movement? I feel like this 4-5 times a week, all day long. I feel like I have to go, go into the bathroom, and can go maybe a TBS or two....and then 1-2 hours later I do the same thing. I can do this over and over, maybe 4-7 times per day before I finally go A LOT and finally feel empty, just to start all over again the next day or so. The only reason I leave the bathroom is because I really don't feel like I have to go anymore....only to start over again in and hour or two. I take a TBS of phyllsum fiber a day and eat very well, but do have some foods that I know don't agree with me. Thanks so much for your help. Kim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kim,

      It sounds like you're not eliminating fully each time you go to the bathroom. Are you taking the fiber for constipation? Sometimes too much fiber can cause your bowel movement to be larger and harder to pass. Are you off wheat and dairy? You can try that and see if there's a change. Ideally, you would eliminate it all in one sitting and then again later in the day. I do consultations if you are interested in getting to the bottom of it.

      Blessings,
      Svea

      Delete
  82. Thanks Seva. I guess I should have mentioned that the stool is NEVER hard...always very soft, sometimes watery. That's why I take the fiber, to firm it up some. But its so weird that it is so hard to pass the whole amount at one sitting when it is so soft. Any ideas? Thanks! Kim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really hard to say what the culprit is. I usually have a 2 hour appointment with each person to determine what is causing the problem. It could be a number of things. If you are interested in working with me, let me know.

      Delete
  83. Hi Svea, I've come across your post and seen that your replying religiously to comments so I thought I should ask for help with my worry?
    I had bad diarrhea about 5 days ago now, however it only lasted a few 5 -10 minutes to the bathroom. After I was perfectly fine and still eating as normal. However, it's now 5 days later and I still havent had a proper bowel movement. I drink water constantly. I'm never without a bottle in my hand. I just wondered if I should be concerned? Or is my body just trying to catch up?
    Thanks!
    Hollie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Hollie,

      How are you doing now? You certainly don't have to be concerned right away - unless it turns into a chronic thing for you. Have you had any extra stress lately?

      Have you ever had this before?

      Svea

      Delete
  84. My 20 year old daughter has started having bowel movements 6-7 times a day. Normal stool, not hard, not runny. She has two early morning before she eats and one approximately 30 minutes from eating. She normally has 2-3 and we don't understand what could have caused this change. She is eating as she normally has. She has not gone out of town and doesn't drink caffeine. She hasn't lost weight and this has been going on for two weeks now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did she have anything stressful happen during that time? Any change in emotions? Any change in lifestyle. That sounds like it could be tied to some emotional state or stressful situation.

      If you would like to explore further with me, please contact me for an appointment.

      Thank you,
      Svea

      Delete
    2. She had a a bout of constipation. Took Miralax and everything was fine and then this bowel change. Took her to Gastroenterologist and they said she had IBS. But she doesn't have any IBS systems. No cramps, no diarrhea, no gas, but she has always had a problem with constipation. Just can't understand why she went from 3 times to 6-8.

      Delete
    3. It does not sound like IBS. It's possible that the doctor didn't know what it was so he/she slapped that label on her. Is she still going 6-8 times per day now? It could be that he body was getting rid of what she was constipated with. If it's not diarrhea, and it's not uncomfortable for her, then I would not be worried about it. If she doesn't feel well while it's coming on then that shows some imbalance.

      Delete
  85. Hello Seva!
    I've been experiencing a poop that is runny most of time, it is not Diarrhea. It is like runny not watery. I haven't not had constipation in long time. sometime I couldn't hold it in and run to the bathroom quickly. I have chronic anal fissure( suffered for nearly eight years after childbirth.sometime I have lot of blood from eliminating stools. I had surgery to remove hemorrhoids to less the pain. I eat fibre food( all grain, wheat, brown etc, no white stuff), of course lot of water! Back in August 2012, I had Pinworm parasite, I don't know where it came from. my husband and his family didn't have it, only me. I rid of it by powerful deworm medication 500 mg one pill for one week and again in one week. well the stools is not consistent lately since August 2012. sometime it have mucus, sometime oily. my stomach make funny sounds and lot of gas( gargling, bubbling, sometime cramps) I haven't lose the weight, It seems I gain weight.not sure? is it normal? I eat healthy food, lots of vegetables and fruit, and fibre, lot of water. I have seen the doctor, the doctor didn't find anything wrong. feeling fed up with it.

    ReplyDelete
  86. I must admit I'm concerned. I go to gym three times a week, my body is generally healthy and I eat very healthy, however, if I don't drink a lot water that day, I don't go at all. And it's upsetting because I've never been a regular, no matter how hard I try. It's really uncomfortable having to drink all that water, because then I have to go pee about 10 times or more. I can't possibly be constipated all the time! Nor could I be dependent on water... could I?

    ReplyDelete
  87. Thank you for all that have posted on this blog. I do keep up this blog with new articles now and then, but I cannot continue to answer comments on this page. I just simply get too many comments and not a lot of free time to manage them. I also have a practice where people pay me for my expertise. If you are interested in working with me, please contact me through the contact tab above.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Hi Svea

    I have a question. I've been struggling with constipation for years. I think it's due to the heavy doses of antibiotics and the birth control that i took for years. I eat a super healthy diet, TONS of fruits and veggies. Sometimes my total fiber intake can go up to 40grams a day. I drink about 2 liters of water per day as well. Every other day i take a dose of miralax to help, but my poop is pepple-like shape. I'm so tired of having this problem. If i'm lucky, i'll go every morning after drinking warm water and lemon but only a big and it's pepples. Any suggestions?

    Thank you,

    S.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Hi Svea,

    I can go a week to two weeks with out pooping. I try taking stool softener's with no results. I end up having to take milk of magnesia and then I can have a bowl movement with in the next two days. why do I always have to resort to that just to get a bowl movement?

    ReplyDelete
  90. It’s very informative and i am sure it will help many other people like the way it helps me. Thanks for the information.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Hi I have gotten my gall bladder removed about 3 months ago and since the week after my surgery I have been in agony, with gnawing burning in my abdomen, occasional pain where my gall bladder was, and the lower back pain. I was taking a medication that binds with the bile salts first for some diarrhea second for what i was thinking could be Bile Gastritis/reflux. ( Sorry I cant think of the name of the medication). Due to this medication, it had caused severe constipation and I had several traumatic very painful large bowel movements and now I think I have hemorrhoids or a fissure that causes burning a feeling of pressure in the rectum. My Bm are usually daily if not every other day formed and normal in color. I do notice some undigested veggies such as carrots at times. My large concerns are what to do about the gnawing burning in the belly that will bring on nausea and decreased appetite( I lost 16 pounds sisnc aug 2013) im at 102 now im 5 feet tall . and how to deal with the hemrrhoids/fissure. I've tried sprays creams I even had one banded prior to my gallbladder surgery. Im at my wits end with the Not feeling Normal thing. It has kept me from doing things and going places.
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  92. I use to poop once a day but for the past 3 days i have been pooping small portions 10-15 times a day and constantly feel like i am having to poop i also have atomach pain what could the problem be

    ReplyDelete
  93. Hi
    Svea

    its very good post and want to learn from you about my self when i feel to go bath for stool i feel shortness of breath, sweating, feeling heartbeat in my ears.its just for few days and other days are normal i want to get rid of this problem can you guide me i have no other health problem .

    Regards
    Mehmood

    ReplyDelete
  94. Hi Svea,
    Thanks for the informative article. I'm concerned because after a diahorrea recently, I became constipated. The last time I went was on wed morning and the consistency is more watery compared to my normal excretion. It's friday now and i haven't went at all. Please help, i have been drinking 2L of water everyday. And my diet is the same as the diet when i had normal excretion.
    Thank you very much,
    G

    ReplyDelete
  95. Hi Svea. I've been paranoid lately because I don't usually poop every after I eat but now I do. And the more I panic, the more I get these urges to poop and eventually I do. Like, okay this might sound gross, my poop is soft but it floats first yep. But is my queasy stomach because of my anxiety that I might be sick like I feel like sometimes I have stomach cancer or something like that but I'm not losing weight or anything. I'm just really scared so please help. Thank you!!
    -Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Donna,

      Please contact me through my contact form above and we'll set up an appointment. Sounds like we could work together to figure out this problem and resolve it.

      Svea

      Delete
  96. Hi Svea. When I was eating a lot of processed foods, I used to have a bowel movement 2-3 times a day, with an urge to go, a LOT of it, and loosely formed--almost like a baby's that is mushy--with a bad smell. I started eating super "clean" a couple of weeks ago, with zero processed food, zero sugar, low salt, and very high in veggies with a small amount of fruit daily, and a regular healthy protein portion each day which is usually poultry with beef about once a week. And dairy and whole grains about 2 x per week. I don't do any fiber supplements because I think I'm getting plenty from all the veggies, and I don't take probiotics. The strangest thing is that literally the very next day after I started the super clean healthy eating, my bowel movements went down to only once per day, with no urge to go, with only 1 or 2 stools. (The good change though was that they are now well formed with no smell.) I'm wondering why all of a sudden when I switch from a bad diet to a very very good one I am now only having 1 BM a day and lucky if it consists of only one 5 inch stool? (Maybe 2 of them if I'm lucky.)

    ReplyDelete
  97. Very interesting information here. I have a question about inconsistent stool. 2 times a week I have a very good clean out. Soft formed stool with no elimination problem, usually after I drink a couple cups of coffee and a large glass of water. The very next day, I have crumbled or round pellet like stool. I eat tons of veggies, and a low carb diet with more quinoa, oatmeal and a lot of flax seed. Does caffeine cause this inconsistency in stool? My hard days at work sometimes have me drinking more coffe than I should. I'd rather drink my coffee than munch. I don't drink sugary coffee, just coffee with a little cream and stevia. Over all my diet is pretty healthy. I do eat more dairy for protein and calcium as I'm 57 and want to make sure to get enough calcium in to protect my bones. Thanks for any response.

    ReplyDelete
  98. I have redundant colon, have had several tests, I just don't go!!! I am looking at sacral nerve stimulation procedure in June. It has been rs twice. There is a trial procedure then the permanent. I feel so bad when I don't go. It affects the scales.
    This is so frustrating. When I ever do get going, its explosive diarrhea. Sad in NC.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Hi Seva,

    I usually poop at least once a day i eat alot of fruit like alot and usually what ever seasonal variety is in I'm eating it. i have actually in the past few weeks been pooping after every meal within about 30mins to 1hr (nice big ones) the only problem is that they are mostly softish i guess you could say, not sure if they float but they sure do sink (i dont look straight away)! Anyways what im getting at is that they require me to wipe for ages to get my bottom clean, doing this 3 times a day leaves my bottom feeling very sensitive and sometimes bleeds! any suggestions for my messy poops would be greatly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  100. I poop a lot. Twice in the morning and sometime 2 to 3 times after. However I have acid reflux problems and have to pop Gums every now and then. Another thing I notice is that I think I'm pooping acid because sometimes my anus and colon burns at the end of my bowels. I do eat fruit during lunch and sometimes in the morning with oatmeal. Maybe I need to eat more? I also take probiotics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jose,

      Do you eat a lot of spicy food? That will cause burning at the end of your bowels.

      Delete
  101. I have started eating alot of raw fruit and veggies all day and drinking 103 oz of water a day and I have very loose bowels with no smell that I notice right after I eat I feel like this is good and bad. shouldnt they be well formed.

    ReplyDelete
  102. Hi,
    for weeks I have been having some bad 'poop' experiences. Whenever I need to poop, it causes me pain and there's always lots of blood in my poop and I am not sure why it is there???

    ReplyDelete