Stools should be brown, have a peanut-butter texture, and look like a sausage. If your stool has an abnormal color or consistency, it may be due to something you ate or an underlying medical condition in need of investigation by a healthcare provider.
People often talk about having a "normal bowel movement," but what does that actually mean? Subjectively, it infers that you are "regular" and pass stools at more or less the same time every day. It also suggests that your stools are "healthy" and have an expected consistency, texture, and color.
Even so, there is no singular definition of what a normal bowel movement is. It can vary from one person to the next based on diet, general health, age, fitness, and other factors.
This article describes the range of characteristics that are considered "normal" and "abnormal" when it comes to bowel movement frequency and the consistency or color of stools. It also looks at some of the possible causes of bowel problems, both serious and not-so-serious.
Illustration by Jessica Olah, Verywell
Normal and Abnormal Frequency of Bowel Movements
Defecation is the process of passing feces (stool) from the body. In an ideal situation, what you take in as food should leave your body in the form of stool on a fairly consistent basis.
To many people, that means going to the bathroom every day at the same time. But, that's not the case for everyone. Your "normal" could be anything from going a few times a day to a few times a week.
A "normal" bowel movement is one that occurs between two times a day and three times a week.
Anything outside of this range might be considered abnormal and involve:
Constipation : Defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week
: Defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week Diarrhea: Defined as having loose, watery stools three or more times a day.
Most healthy adults will experience diarrhea or constipation at some point. However, if you have a consistent change in bowel habits, though, it could be a sign of a serious digestive problem.
Constipation
Constipation is a common condition that accounts for around 2.5 million healthcare provider visits each year. It is characterized by hard, dry, lumpy stools that are difficult or painful to pass. it may be accompanied by bloating, abdominal discomfort, and straining on the toilet.
Dehydration, lack of exercise, and low dietary fiber are among the most common causes of constipation. Others include:
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Chronic or severe constipation can have serious consequences. Straining can cause hemorrhoids, anal fissures (a tear in the anal canal), or rectal prolapse (when part of the rectum protrudes from the anus). Another potential concern is fecal impaction in which a hard stool gets stuck in the intestine and may require medical intervention.
When to See a Healthcare Provider See your healthcare provider if constipation lasts more than a week or if constipation is accompanied by: Bleeding from your rectum
Blood in your stool
Continuous abdominal pain
Any other concerning medical issue
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common condition that affects roughly 179 million people in the United States each year.
The condition is largely defined by its duration; the duration, in turn, helps direct the appropriate treatment. Bouts of diarrhea may be described as:
Acute diarrhea : Lasting one or two days without the need for treatment
: Lasting one or two days without the need for treatment Persistent diarrhea : Lasting more than two weeks and less than four weeks
: Lasting more than two weeks and less than four weeks Chronic diarrhea: Lasting for at least four weeks.
The causes of diarrhea are numerous and include gastrointestinal infections, medication side effects, food intolerance, food allergies, excessive heat exposure, poisoning, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Complications include severe dehydration, acute kidney failure, and organ damage. Some cases can be fatal.
When to See a Healthcare Provider Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following signs or symptoms: Diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvement
Excessive thirst with dry mouth or skin
Little or no urination
Severe weakness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Severe abdominal or rectal pain
Bloody or black stools
A high fever
Normal and Abnormal Stool Color and Consistency
A normal stool is one that is soft, well-formed, and easy to pass. Generally speaking, a stool should be brown to golden brown in color and cohesively formed with the texture of peanut butter.
Depending on the size of the person and how frequently they have bowel movements, a stool can be as small as a breakfast sausage or as large as a banana.
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Stools that occasionally vary in size or color are usually no cause for alarm. Certain medications and changes in diet, temperature, or activity can alter the size and appearance of a stool.
But, there are some changes that should raise red flags and warrant further investigation. These include:
Summary
A "normal" bowel movement is what's normal for you. Generally, you should expect to pass stools between two times a day and three times a week. Anything greater than two times a day may be due to diarrhea, while anything less than three times a week may be due to constipation.
Stools should be brown, have a peanut-butter texture, and look like a sausage. If your stool has an abnormal color or consistency, it may be due to something you ate or an underlying medical condition in need of investigation by a healthcare provider.
A Word From Verywell
Many people aren't comfortable talking about bowel problems, but keeping the concerns to yourself can be harmful. While most causes are relatively harmless and treatable, certain bowel symptoms may be strongly suggestive of a serious health concern, such as colon cancer.
Chronic constipation or diarrhea should never be considered "normal" or something you need to live with as you get older. Regular changes in bowel habits should also never be ignored as they point to many different digestive diseases, some of which may be serious.
The more you can tell your healthcare provider about your bowel movements—including the shape, size, color, and smell of your stools and how often you go to the bathroom—the more able they will be to pinpoint the cause.
Smoothy Slim
Photo: Vincent Rivaud
