THEEKHEETHEEKHEE › Poo & health
What your poo says
A minute with the shape and colour tells you how your gut is doing, and when not to wait.
Open the free poo diaryStays on your phone. No sign-up.The 7 stool types: which is normal
The Bristol Stool Scale doctors use
Type 1 · Hard lumpsSeparate hard lumps, hard to passConstipated
Type 2 · Lumpy logLog-shaped but lumpyConstipated
Type 3 · Cracked logLog with cracks on the surfaceNormal
Type 4 · Smooth logSmooth and soft, like a sausageIdeal
Type 5 · Soft blobsSoft blobs with clear edges, easy to passA bit soft
Type 6 · MushyFluffy, ragged edgesDiarrhoea
Type 7 · WateryWatery, no solid piecesDiarrhoea
Anything from 3 times a day to 3 times a week is normal. What matters is a change from what is normal for you.
What stool colour means
- BrownNormal
- GreenUsually leafy greens, food colouring, or food passing through quickly
- Yellow, greasy, strong smellFat may not be absorbed well. If it keeps happening, see a doctor
- Black, tarryPossible bleeding high in the gut, see a doctor soon · iron tablets can turn it black
- Red / bloodPossible bleeding lower in the gut, get it checked · red dragon fruit or beetroot can turn it red
- Pale / whiteMay point to a bile problem. See a doctor
When to see a doctor
Go to hospital now
A lot of bloodor black stool with dizziness or fainting
Vomiting blood
Severe tummy paina hard belly
Book a doctor soon
- Blood in it, or blacknot from food or medicine
Pale or white
A change in your bowel habitslasting more than 3 weeks
Weight loss, tirednessfor no clear reason
Diarrhoea for more than 2 dayshigh fever, or dehydration
Thai residents aged 50–70 can have a FIT bowel screening test every 2 years under the national health scheme (NHSO). Ask at a local health centre or call 1330.
Travellers' diarrhoea: what to do
Sip oral rehydration salts (ORS)mix as the sachet says, a little and often
Soft drinks and sports drinksare not a substitute for ORS
Wash your handsdrink sealed bottled water
Want medicine?ask a pharmacist
Keep a diary your doctor can read
One tap, under 10 secondstype, colour and how hard it was
Calendar and 7 / 30 / 90-day overviewsee whether anything has changed
One-page summary for your doctorprint it or save as PDF
Only on your devicenothing is sent anywhere; back it up to a file yourself
Questions people ask
What causes black stool?
Iron tablets can turn stool black. Black, tarry stool without them can mean bleeding high in the gut: see a doctor soon. If you feel faint, call 1669 in Thailand.
What do small hard lumps mean?
Types 1–2 mean constipation. Drink enough water and eat vegetables and fruit. If it lasts more than 3 weeks or there is blood, see a doctor.
How often should I poo?
Anywhere from 3 times a day to 3 times a week is normal. Watch for a change from what is normal for you.
What should I do if there is blood in my stool?
Unless you ate red dragon fruit or beetroot, book a doctor to check it. With a lot of blood, dizziness or fainting, go to hospital now or call 1669.
What should I do about diarrhoea while travelling?
Sip ORS mixed as the sachet says, a little and often. Soft drinks and sports drinks are no substitute. After 2 days, or with a high fever or dehydration, see a doctor.
Where does the diary keep my data?
Only on your device. Nothing goes to a server; you can delete it any time or back it up to a file.
Sources
- Bladder & Bowel UK — Bristol Stool Form Scale
- Mayo Clinic — Stool color: When to worry
- NHS — Bowel cancer symptoms
- PPTV / สปสช. — ตรวจคัดกรองมะเร็งลำไส้ FIT
General information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried, talk to a doctor or pharmacist · Emergency in Thailand: 1669