when to worry based on the Bristol scale
Just a few years ago the word “microbiota” was a legacy doctors, biologists and researchers. Today it is a well-known concept, although much remains to be explored. By microbiota we mean set of microorganisms which live mainly in our intestines. It consists of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other species. Exactly how many are we talking about? It depends on each person. For example, the gut microbiota of a 70 kg person consists of more than 100 trillion microorganisms and weighs about 200 grams. There are from 150 to 200 times. more genes in the human microbiota than in all its cells. Without a doubt, this is an amazing “organ” that has forced medical research rewrite much of the generally accepted theory.
Fundamental Role
The key role of the microbiota in health is now recognized. effects on the endocrine, immune and nervous systems. Maintaining a healthy microbiota is essential for good overall health.
At the same time, it is already known that there is brain-gut axis in constant communication that regulates physical and emotional health. Some experts go even further: the gut is the second brain. Along with stress tolerance and exercise, Diet is the parameter that most affects the microbiota. What we eat can affect our mood, the management of emotions and the development of certain diseases. But when we talk about food, we also We need to talk about food. Or what is the same thing: “go to the toilet” or the usual “poop”.
Until now, feces have only been analyzed to exclude diseases of the digestive system. However, without explicitly reaching the point of pathology, they may indicate other deficiencies in our health or lifestyle. For example, those who exercise regularly maintain a healthy microbiota and have regular bowel movements. Those who practice meditation also manage to regulate intestinal transit. Some migraines may be associated with intestinal dysfunction, and some serious digestive problems can be treated with stool transplantation. These are just a few of the manifestations of microbiota in good or poor condition.
Bristol scale
stoolIn short, they palm test our way of life. We can say that they are “talking” to us, but we do not understand them.. For those who want to understand them (and understand themselves), there is an appropriate dictionary: Bristol stool scale.
Developed by Researchers Stephen Lewis And Ken Heaton at this English university and published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 1997, this is a table that allows the shape of feces to be divided into seven groups according to their morphology:
- Type 1: Pieces harddivided, difficult to evacuate.
- Type 2: Sausage-shaped, consisting of fragments.
- Type 3: In the form of blood sausage with cracks on its surface.
- Type 4: Sausage or snake shaped, smoothsoft and without cracks.
- Type 5: dough pieces blunt with clearly defined edges and is easy to remove.
- Type 6: Dough pieces with jagged edges.
- Type 7: Watery, liquid, without anything solid.
Each of these types indicates the state of the microbiota. Ideally, a stool should have soft, slightly elongated consistencythe shape of which does not cause pain or difficulty during evacuation. However, small changes usually occur without any problems, simply due to a change in diet. In other cases there may be some sign of deficiency or disease. This is explained by the Bristol scale.
Type 1. Constipation
This type of stool is characterized by small, hard, loose balls that are difficult to pass. In general, this type is associated with an acute change in intestinal flora caused by use of antibiotics or a low fiber diet. Without fiber and the right bacteria in your gut, nothing will help you retain water. This dehydrates the feces, making the fecal pieces hard and difficult to pass. In this case, there is usually no gas, since there are no bacteria or fibers in the intestines for the fermentation process to occur. Chronic constipation has the worst consequences in fecalomaa buildup of stool in the rectum or colon that blocks the normal flow of the intestinal tract.
How can we fix the problem? Increasing fiber intakethrough whole foods, fruits and vegetables. It is also beneficial to consume yogurt and all the beneficial bacteria it contains, as well as probiotics. In addition to improving intestinal transit, your mood also improves.
Type 2. Rigid and painful.
This type consists of compact stools that form a single curled mass. Evacuation is the most painful because they quite hard and big; in fact, it might exceed the hole anal canal. To eliminate these feces, you will have to put in a lot of effort and this is a common occurrence. bleeding, cracks, hemorrhoids or diverticula.
The most common causes of this type of stool are hemorrhoids or anal fissures. The patient refuses to defecate due to fear and aggravates the problem, also causing chronic constipation. As a consequence, Irritable bowel syndrome because of constant pressure of large stools in the intestinal walls. It’s best to see a doctor in this case, but as a preventative measure you can take probiotics and foods that stimulate intestinal transit: whole foods, foods with fiber and foods with plenty of water; that is, most fruits and vegetables.
Type 3. More regularity
Type 3 is shaped like blood sausage with cracks on its surface. These feces they last longer in the intestines. As they spend more time inside our body, they lose water, become smaller and crack. We can say that this stool is halfway between normal and constipated. The frequency of evacuations is usually regular, although requires some effort and perhaps not daily.
To improve traffic we must hydrate properlywith abundant fluid intake, preferably water, infusions and broths, avoiding carbonated drinksand fruits and vegetables.
Type 4. Normal
Type 4 stool occurs in those people who evacuate once per day they usually have sausage shape or a snake. They are smooth, soft and no cracks. It usually has a diameter of one to two centimeters, and evacuation occurs without effort. The color varies depending on the food we eat, but the most common is medium brown. If all these conditions are met, bowel movements are normal.
Type 5. Fast metabolism.
Type 5 stool is typical for people with a fast metabolism, those who They evacuate two to three times a day.usually after the main meal. They appear to be pieces of dough that are loose and have crisp edges that are easy to peel off. If they don’t go away as easily as you’d like, physical activity, hydration and some dietary changes may help. As nutritionist Jesus Vazquez explains, our digestive system is amazing: you just need to chew well, allow the intestines to act and “open the floodgates”. All the resources mentioned will make the task easier.
Type 6: Mild diarrhea.
With this type, it becomes difficult to control the desire to evacuate. This is an evacuation liquid accompanied by gasesusually due to an overactive colon. Experts note that they may be caused excess potassium in the diet, dehydration or high blood pressure. Poor stress management may also be behind this. Other factors that contribute to diarrhea are excess seasoning and overconsumption carbonated drinks or laxativessometimes undetected in some foods. This is the case sorbitola sugar alcohol used in chewing gum, mints, candies and other sugar-free products, and as a laxative.
Type 7. Significant diarrhea.
This feces usually comes out associated with abdominal pain and they happen when there is some kind of pathology: viruses, intestinal infections, allergies, celiac disease or various intolerances, such as lactose. Appearance watery, liquid and without anything solid. They are often found in children because they do not yet have mature digestive system and in elderly people. For example, after age 50, pancreatic enzyme deficiency may occur, making it difficult to digest certain fats.
While heStool types 3, 4 and 5 are considered normal.those that indicate constipation (1 and 2) and diarrheal (6 and 7), if they occur regularly, you should consult with medical worker. The good news is that, in addition to possible drug treatment, some lifestyle changes They can significantly improve gastrointestinal health.