Why is my poop so long and soft?

Pain-free to pass: A healthy bowel movement should be painless and require minimal strain. Soft to firm in texture: Poop that is passed in one single piece or a few smaller pieces is typically considered to be a sign of a healthy bowel. The long, sausage-like shape of poop is due to the shape of the intestines.
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Why is my stool long and soft?

“Loose stools” can be natural for some people or signal diarrhea for others. Common causes include from foods – especially if something was spoiled or tainted – but GI viruses, food allergies and medication side-effects can also cause them.
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Why is my poop lengthy?

Extremely large poops may be the outcome of eating a very large meal or the result of chronic constipation that alters your bowel habits. If you've tried increasing your physical activity and upping fiber and water intake, and your poops still fill the toilet, it's time to talk to your doctor.
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Why is my poop long like a snake?

While narrow or pencil-thin stool is not always a sign of constipation, it may be if your poop doesn't normally look that way. Constipation is usually caused by a lack of fiber in your diet or not enough exercise. Other causes include pregnancy, travel, use of some medications, and changes in your hormone levels.
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Are long poops healthy?

The healthiest shape for poop is a long cylinder. When poop takes on other shapes, it may indicate something could be going on with your digestive system.
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12 Things Your Stool Says About Your Health



How big around should poop be?

Normal stool is about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Stringy poop is narrow and, in some cases, almost flat, giving it a stringy appearance. It may be solid or loose.
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What do you do if your poop is too big?

The most common treatment for a fecal impaction is an enema, which is special fluid that your doctor inserts into your rectum to soften your stool. An enema often makes you have bowel movements, so it's possible that you'll be able to push out the mass of stool on your own once it's been softened by the enema.
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What are the symptoms of megacolon?

What are the symptoms of toxic megacolon?
  • abdominal pain.
  • bloating of the abdomen (distention)
  • abdominal tenderness.
  • fever.
  • rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
  • shock.
  • bloody or profuse diarrhea.
  • painful bowel movements.
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Is mushy stool normal?

When stool passes in the form of soft blobs with defined edges, it is a slightly loose stool. It is common for individuals who have bowel movements two to three times a day. This form of bowel movement usually follows major meals of the day. Soft blob-shaped poop quickly passes without any strain or effort.
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Why is my poop like soft serve ice cream?

Imagine dispensing soft serve ice cream into your toilet, and you'll have the general, somewhat less delicious idea. This type of stool indicates you're getting plenty of water and fiber in your diet. An absence of either can produce firmer, broken-up, difficult-to-expel feces or constipation, Sheth says.
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What foods cause mushy poop?

The following can cause loose stools or make them worse.
  • Sugar. Sugars stimulate the gut to put out water and electrolytes, which loosen bowel movements. ...
  • Dairy foods. ...
  • FODMAPs. ...
  • Gluten. ...
  • Fried or fatty foods. ...
  • Spicy foods. ...
  • Caffeine. ...
  • Image: 5432action/Getty Images.
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What does healthy poop look like?

Normal poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor the changes and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks.
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Why is my poop thick and mushy?

Your stool quality is usually a result of how your body responds to your food choices. A high fat diet, for example, can lead to stool that's stickier than normal. That's because excess fat — beyond what would normally be absorbed by the body — can end up in your stool, making it thicker and stickier.
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What does stress poop look like?

Anxiety poop may also be linked to an underlying condition, Eid says. Warning signs to look out for include: blood in your stool. black, tar-colored stool.
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What your poop says about your gut health?

It may sound gross, but paying attention to your bowel movements is actually pretty important. Your bowel habits are a strong indicator of your digestive health. Changes in the color, shape and texture of your stool can reveal signs of infection, digestive issues or more serious health problems, such as cancer.
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What does a stretched colon mean?

What Is Megacolon? Megacolon is an abnormal dilation of the colon that is not caused by mechanical obstruction. It is usually accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, but may result in serious complications (colonic perforation, peritonitis, and/or sepsis) if left untreated.
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What is toxic colon?

Toxic megacolon is a condition where part or all of the colon is inflamed and bulging larger than normal size (dilated). It may bulge because of swelling because of inflammation. The colon may also fill with gas. This condition can be a complication of severe colon disease or infection.
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Can a large bowel movement cause damage?

Consistently straining when pooping can cause a number of health complications, including: Hemorrhoids. These swollen veins in your lower rectum and anus can cause pain, burning, and itching. To relieve the discomfort of hemorrhoids, try soaking in a warm bath for 10 minutes a day.
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Why is my poop big and fat?

Instead of nutrients fueling your body, some of them, including fat, can be passed in your stools. If you have a condition that makes it difficult to digest fat, you may also develop fatty stools or fecal fat. When this happens, you may experience digestive issues such as pain, gas, or diarrhea.
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How much poop is in your body?

One product claims that we have anywhere from six to forty pounds of waste, feces and undigested food stuck in our bodies. Another one compares the weight of the waste to carrying a bowling ball in our gut.
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How do I know if my bowels are impacted?

Fecal impaction can cause a range of symptoms, which include: liquid stool leaking from the rectum. pain or discomfort in the abdomen. abdominal bloating.
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How long is a normal poop time?

Most professionals recommend spending no more time on the toilet than it takes to pass a stool. Studies have shown that the average bowel movement takes 12 seconds. Sometimes it does take longer, however, so at maximum, you should not spend more than 10 minutes on the toilet.
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Does healthy poop sink or float?

Even though healthy poop sinks, occasionally your poop will float like a life preserver. If you're leaving the occasional floater behind, it's probably not a cause for concern. Eating a new food or food that gives you a lot of gas can make your poop less dense, resulting in floating stools.
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Why do I take big poops in the morning?

“In the morning, when we first wake up, an internal alarm clock goes off in our colon, and the colon starts contracting more vigorously,” says gastroenterologist Sarina Pasricha, M.D. “In fact, the colon contracts and squeezes three times as hard in the first hour we are awake compared to when we are sleeping.”
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Why do I poop balls?

Pebble poop bowel movements usually occur when stool doesn't pass quickly enough through the intestines. While forming, it will linger inside the large intestine, which usually absorbs some water. This dehydrates the stool, making it more concentrated and compact.
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