6. Odor

While no one enjoys the smell of poop, the odor can provide valuable insights into your digestive health. While some odor is normal, particularly foul or unusual smells may indicate underlying issues.

• Normal Odor: Normal poop has a distinct odor that is often described as “earthy” or “musky.” This odor is caused by the presence of bacteria in the intestines, which help break down food particles and produce gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide.
• Unusual Odor: Unusual or foul-smelling poop may be a sign of digestive issues such as malabsorption, bacterial overgrowth, or infections. Strong, unpleasant smells that persist despite dietary changes may warrant further evaluation by a healthcare professional.

7. Additional Features

In addition to color, consistency, shape, size, frequency, and odor, there are other features of poop that may warrant attention. These include the presence of blood, mucus, or undigested food particles, which can provide valuable insights into your digestive health.

• Blood in Stool: The presence of blood in the stool, known as hematochezia or melena, can be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding. It may appear as bright red blood or as dark, tarry stool and can indicate conditions such as hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, or colorectal cancer.
• Mucus in Stool: Mucus is a gel-like substance produced by the intestines to lubricate and protect the digestive tract. While small amounts of mucus in the stool are normal, significant or persistent mucus may indicate issues such as inflammation or infection.
• Undigested Food Particles: Seeing undigested food particles in your stool may indicate problems with digestion or absorption. This can occur with conditions such as malabsorption syndromes, food intolerances, or pancreatic insufficiency.