Stool Self Test Must Read Articles     HOW TO TELL IF ONE HAS A GOOD STOOL

• Is it soft, firm?
• Color... is it light brown, medium?
• Is it free from foul smell and odors?
• Does it float?
• Do you have to strain?
• Does elimination take place 15-20 minutes after a meal?
• Is it 5 to 7 inches long?
• Is it 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter?
• Is it banana shaped?

STOOL INVESTIGATION

• Bright red blood means that the blood is from the anus. It could be from an internal hemorrhoid or from a fistula or other rectal problem.
• Dark red blood has come from farther up in the digestive system... it could mean ulcers or colitis in the splenic flexure area.
• Blackish-red blood indicates ulceration and bleeding around the hepatic flexure.
• Blood totally black in color could be from the stomach.
• High protein diets with mostly meat produce a dark colored stool. Spinach and other vegetables containing chlorophyll can stain stools green; dark colored food such as blackberries or cherries will stain the stool a darker color.
• Yellow or orange stool indicates insufficient bile and is mixed with intestinal contents, or a sign of jaundice or liver disease. Carrot juice can also make stools turn orange color.
• A reddish wine colored stool can be caused from eating beets.
• Iron medication or anemia could cause slate grey or blackish stool.
• Excess protein stool is black.
• Very dark, olive blue stool may indicate a diet too rich in protein and fat – too much putrefaction within the bowel.
• Dark, hard, offensive smelling stool may indicate very severe bleeding high in the intestinal region. It may come from an ulcer in the stomach, duodenum, colitis, or Crohn’s Disease.
• Grey or chicken soup-like stool can indicate liver or gall bladder trouble.
• A hard, black stool means constipation.
• Flat and thin-like stool indicates an obstruction in the lower part of the bowel or spastic colitis (usually around the splenic flexure of sigmoid area).
• A stool with many small bubbles (bead-like) shows fermentative conditions.
• A slick, slimy stool could be caused from jaundice.

A normal stool has no odor. If it is offensive smelling, then a lot of putrefaction and rotting has occurred and there is a digestive problem, which could include constipation or improper food combining. Bacteria, both dead and alive, usually constitute a quarter to half of the dried feces. Stools should normally be soft, a medium brown color and should float.

STOOL STATUS CHECK (regularly):

Hard, Firm, Soft, Loose, Smooth, Cracks

Shape:
Length Width
Hard, Firm

Does it have bubbles on it?
Hard, Firm

Excretion Effort:
Slides Out, Must Push, Forcefully

Regularity:
How often and when?

Color:
Light, Medium,? Dark, Black, Mucus,
Strong Odor, Blood, Fluid, Jelly-like

Gas:
Excessive, Belching, Heartburn, Pressure on Chest

Anal Itching:
Continuous, Intermittent

Protruding Rectum:
Continuous, Only after a bowel movement

Frequent or constant urge for a bowel movement?