It can be pretty, um, crappy dealing with bowel issues.
Figuring out whats normal and what isnt can be challenging if you dont know what to look for.
Nuri Kalkay, a retired gastroenterologist and health blogger.
But what if things change, and you see something beyond the norm in the toilet?
If youve taken bismuth medication like Pepto Bismol, that can alsomake your stools look almost black.
Its always best to check with a doctor if youre unsure.
All of these are reasons to see a doctor.
According to Nelson, this can indicate bleeding from the very end of the small bowel or the colon.
Carrubba said steatorrhea is often seen with malabsorption syndromes, pancreatic insufficiency and biliary disease.
IBS or infections can also increase constipation.
Ingestion of this organism can result in giardiasis, which leads to abdominal pain and persistent, watery diarrhea.
The issue can be treated with antimicrobials.
He noted that the condition can be seen in inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohns.
It can also be due to inflammation resulting from a bacterial infection or IBS.
Mucus associated with blood and or abdominal pain should not be ignored and requires medical attention, he explained.
Constipation can be treated in many ways and I always begin with increasing fiber and water intake.
Your poop may be trying to tell you something.This article originally appeared onHuffPost.
