The truth about 'amoeba' poos – and how it's sign your diet needs a serious rethink | The Sun

SO you've probably thought about the colour, smell and even frequency of your poos – but have you considered the shape?

Well, now might be a good time to start taking a quick peak – as it can actually reveal a thing or two about your health and diet.

Though everyone's number twos look different, they all usually fall within one of seven categories outlined by the Bristol Stool Chart.

The helpful guide compares stool to different objects – from artwork to (rather disgustingly) foods.

Amoeba-like poos are small and easy to pass.

Unlike runnier poos, you should still able to control when and where you expel them.

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This type of poo, which comes in at number five on the Bristol Stool Chart, suggests you need to add some more fibre to your diet, according to Healthline.

Fibre helps to keep the digestive system healthy and helps prevent constipation.

It bulks up stools making them softer and easier to pass through the bowel.

Government guidelines suggests the average adult should aim to eat around 30g a day, as part of a healthy balanced diet.

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However, most are only managing to eat an average of about 18g day.

You can get fibre from vegetables, wholegrain pasta and bread, the NHS says.

Sausage-like poos, that are soft and easy to pass, are what Healthline calls 'the gold standard of poop'.

This is because it indicates that all is going smoothly with your digestion and that you're eating the right amount of fibre.

As GP Dr Sarah Jarvis explained: "Eating enough fibre, getting regular exercise and keeping your fluid intake up all contribute to this sort of poo.

"You’re likely to be going regularly and not needing to strain."

This is type three on the Bristol Stool Chart.

Snake-shaped poops that are softer than sausage-shaped ones and easier to pass are also considered normal.

According to Healthline, you should ideally get number twos like these every one to three days.

But anything of type of poo, which comes from either end of the poo spectrum, probably means you need to make some dietary changes or see a doctor.

Coming in at number one on the chart are marble-like pellets. These look like nuts and are hard to pass.

Poos like these indicate you're constipated, as does number two on the chart.

These are caterpillar-like poos that are are long but still lumpy.

Like with amboeas, the best thing you can do for these is to eat some fibre, which can also be found in fruit, veg and cereals, according to the NHS,

It's also a good idea to hydrate and get moving – spending long periods sitting or lying down often spells disaster for your bowel habits.

Stress, anxiety and depression could also be playing a part in making your poops harder and lumpier. If you think you're suffering from any of this it could be worth speaking to your GP to see how they can help.

Both six and seven – the soft serve and Jackson Pollock of poops – very obviously indicate you've got a case of the runs, as your stool moved too quickly through your bowels to form a healthy poo.

Most cases of diarrhoea should clear up without treatment, according to the NHS, but it's a good idea to stay hydrated and to chose foods that are easy to digest.

Some foods and drinks might actually aggravate things further, including:

• High fibre foods, e.g. wholemeal bread, wholegrain cereals, brown rice and pasta and foods made with wholemeal flour
• Fruit juice
• Nuts and dried fruits
• Uncooked vegetables and fruit
• Beans, lentils and pulses
• Cauliflower, cabbage and onions
• Spicy, fried or very fatty foods, e.g. curries, chillies, cream, pastry, chips, etc
• Very hot or very cold food and drinks
• Alcohol, strong tea or coffee
• Fatty food

If your diarrhoea is severe or persists, it's a good idea to call your GP.

It's unlikely that your number twos will look exactly the same every day.

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But you should look out for unexpected and prolonged changes as they could be a sign of an underlying condition like bowel cancer- especially if you're experiencing other symptoms at the same time.

Signs of bowel cancer

The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:

• Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
• A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
• Pain or a lump in your tummy
• Extreme tiredness
• Losing weight

If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed – chances are your GP has heard it all before.

Source: NHS

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