4. THIN STOOL: The stringy quality of your number two can be a temporary variation of normal if it lasts for a day or two, but if this is an ongoing observance, you should inform your healthcare professional of what you’re experiencing. Pencil-thin stool can be the sign of rectal cancer, a potentially serious and life-threatening condition. When rectal cancer occurs, the tumor restricts the rectum, which causes stool to come out of a smaller opening, resulting in the thin, stringy results you see in the bowl. This type of stool can also be a more benign sign of constipation and straining of the anal sphincter, a condition often remedied by simply adding more fiber to the diet. If you have concerns about this type of symptom, consult your healthcare provider for further guidance and appropriate testing.

5. GREENISH DIARRHEA: If you’re experiencing this unfortunate symptom, you could be suffering from a Clostridium difficile (C. Diff) infection. C.Diff is a normal part of the flora found in the digestive tract. This is recently a more frequently diagnosed condition that may begin as benign but has the potential to become serious. It often occurs after a round of antibiotics kills off the good bacteria responsible for keeping C. Diff in reasonable check. Once C. Diff begins to take over the environment of the digestive tract, it can cause increasingly serious issues with the stomach that ultimately can cause dehydration, the need for hospitalization and in extreme cases, death. If you believe you might be suffering from C. Diff, contact your doctor and ask for further testing. If you currently take antibiotics, you may need to discontinue using them until your condition is resolved.

Again, it may not be high on your list of good times, but being aware of how your poop can inform you of any potential health concerns is helpful in the overall maintenance of your health. Having these types of awkward and possibly embarrassing conversations with your doctor not only can assist in resolving some health concerns, but it also can save your life. If you have any worries about what you’re seeing in your porcelain bowl, never hesitate to seek the expertise of your healthcare professional.