Bowel problems are common and typically presents with alteration of bowel habit like constipation and diarrhea. We all understand that bowel movements need to be frequent – for some people it is once or twice daily while for others it is several times in a week. The need to pass stool is signaled by contractions in >> Read More ...
Many people can lay claim to their bowels being as regular as ‘clockwork’. This simply means that a person will get the urge to pass stool around the same time every day without any additional bowel movements outside of these time periods. Similarly a bowel movement is not missed at the designated time. >> Read More ...
Bowel habit refers to the frequency of passing stool. It varies among individuals but is considered normal if it is not more than three times a day and not less than three times a week. There are many other characteristics of bowel habit, like the time and trigger events. Some people have to pass stool first thing in the >> Read More ...
Changes in color, consistency and frequency of bowel movements are often considered as symptoms of various diseases. For example, black bowel movement, watery stool or passing stool more then 3 times a day would be considered abnormal for most people. However, the thickness of stool is almost never considered unless the >> Read More ...
A discharge may be the release of any secretion from any surface of the body or the cavities. Sometimes these discharges may arise from much deeper in the body. Different types of discharge may occur for different reasons. When it comes to the rectum, stool is technically not considered as an abnormal discharge as it is >> Read More ...
There is a common misconception that solid foods should be stopped when diarrhea is present. This is not true. Solid foods should only be avoided if or when there is vomiting to prevent vomited food entering the airways and causing conditions like aspiration pneumonia. For diarrhea, solid foods should be eaten although a >> Read More ...
In most instances diarrhea is an acute symptom that often resolves on its own without treatment. Apart from requiring oral rehydration to maintain an adequate intake of fluid and electrolytes to counteract the loss in diarrheal stool, additional treatment for diarrhea is not necessary. However, these are times when >> Read More ...
Physical activity is one of the recommended lifestyle measures for good health but diarrhea after a workout can be distressing. It is not entirely uncommon to have the urge for a bowel movement after exercise but diarrhea is not considered as a normal bowel habit. Fortunately most cases of diarrhea after exercise are never >> Read More ...
Dehydration is a serious complication of fluid loss associated with vomiting and/or diarrhea. In fact dehydration can lead to death. It is one of the main complications associated with vomiting and diarrhea and one of the primary reasons for fatal outcomes with these conditions, particularly in children. In the large >> Read More ...
Not every person has the ideal bowel habit which is as regular as clockwork. It is inconvenient to have to pass stool at an unexpected time, experience loose watery stool or pass very hard stool infrequently. These are signs of poor bowel habit. It is important to first see a doctor to find out if these disturbances may be >> Read More ...
