{"id":67420,"date":"2023-09-22T12:40:20","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T12:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rapidcelnews.com\/?p=67420"},"modified":"2023-09-22T12:40:20","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T12:40:20","slug":"the-truth-about-caterpillar-poos-and-how-its-a-sign-something-isnt-quite-right-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rapidcelnews.com\/lifestyle\/the-truth-about-caterpillar-poos-and-how-its-a-sign-something-isnt-quite-right-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"The truth about 'caterpillar' poos – and how it's a sign something isn't quite right | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
IF your poo resembles a caterpillar, you're probably constipated. <\/p>\n
A long, bumpy stool, which is hard to pass, indicates you're not getting enough fibre and at risk of painful complications, experts warn. <\/p>\n
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NHS GP Sarah Jarvis said: "Your poo can definitely say a lot about your bowel health.<\/p>\n
"Constipation is linked to all sorts of other medical problems such as piles, diverticular disease and even an increased risk of bowel cancer if this is a long term issue."<\/p>\n
Piles, or haemorrhoids, are lumps inside or around the bottom which can be itchy and bleed. <\/p>\n
One of the main causes is straining on the toilet, which often happens when you are constipated. <\/p>\n
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Piles typically get better on their own, but drinking plenty of fluids and eating lots of fibre can help, according to the NHS. <\/p>\n
Similar habits can help prevent diverticular disease, which affects the large intestine when small pockets develop in the lining. <\/p>\n
It is usually managed with painkillers or laxatives, but in rare cases it can lead to serious compilations, such as a build up of pus in the bowel, blockages, and perforations, which can require surgery or a colostomy. <\/p>\n
Scientists have linked the chronic condition, and long-term constipation generally, to bowel cancer. <\/p>\n
<\/picture>URGENT BAN<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>BECK OF THE NET<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>RED ALERT <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/picture>PUCKER UP<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n A study by Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark found the risk of the disease was 1.78 times higher in patients suffering from constipation than those without. <\/p>\n But the evidence is mixed, and it only suggests an association, not causation.<\/p>\n Overall, experts recommend beating bowel problems, including constipation, by:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The NHS defines constipation as having three or fewer poos in a week, stools that are often large and dry or hard and lumpy, and having to strain or experiencing pain on the loo. <\/p>\n 'Caterpillar poos' fall under this definition. <\/p>\n If you're not sure if your number two classifies as a caterpillar, take a look at the Bristol Stool Chart.<\/p>\n It's an easy way to identify what health problems you might be facing. <\/p>\n Developed in 1997, it describes seven types of poo and what each one means:<\/p>\n Types 1 to 2 indicate constipation, 3 to 4 are ideal, and 5 to 7 suggest diarrhoea and urgency. <\/p>\n Dr Jarvis said: "The Bristol Stool Chart is widely used by doctors to identify what your poos look like.<\/p>\n "They go from type 1 \u2013 very hard pellets, like rabbit droppings \u2013 to type 7 \u2013 an entirely liquid poo with no solid pieces.<\/p>\n "Types 6 and 7 usually mean you have a tummy bug or an inflammatory bowel problem, whereas types 1 and 2 are much more common and show you\u2019re constipated."<\/p>\n You're aiming for a type 3 or 4, a smooth, soft sausage, which is easy to pass. <\/p>\n "Eating enough fibre, getting regular exercise and keeping your fluid intake up all contribute to this sort of poo," Dr Jarvis said. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n "You\u2019re likely to be going regularly and not needing to strain."<\/p>\n Medics say a healthy person should be pooping between three times a week and three times a day. <\/p>\nMajor high street chain axes disposable vapes from shelves<\/h3>\n
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