What Does Your Poop Mean?

Have you seen Mouse Hunt? In it, there’s a scene where Christopher Walken finds mouse droppings and eats it. He instantly knows all the facts about the mouse that left it. That’s how I feel when I ask people to point to what their stool looks like on this chart, the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS for short).

When I ask patients what their poop looks likes and show them this chart, they look at me like I’m crazy. Then most of the time they point straight to a number. Everyone looks at it (you’re not alone).

Knowing someone’s BSS number gives me a good idea of their bowel and GI health and habits.

If someone has types 1-3, it tells me they likely aren’t getting enough fluid, fiber, daily activity or movement, and may have a tight and/or uncoordinated pelvic floor. This might also lead me to some possible GI disorders.

I try not to pick favorites but #4 is my favorite type. It’s healthy and not too soft and not too hard; it’s just right.

Types 5-7 tell me something’s not exactly right. Now this could be that they have a stomach bug or some kind of disorder. 

It may not seem like much but you can tell a lot about a person by how they poop!

Any questions? Have you ever seen this chart before?