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Explanations of Bristol Stool Chart
Types
The type of stool a person has is very important
to understand gut dysbiosis, digestion and the current state of health of the
whole immune system
Type 1: Separate hard lumps, like nuts
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Typical for acute gut dysbiosis. .
These stools lack a normal amorphous quality, because bacteria are missing and there is
nothing to retain water.
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The lumps are
hard and abrasive, the typical diameter
ranges from 1 to 2 cm (0.4–0.8”), and
they’re painful to pass, because the lumps
are hard and scratchy.
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There is a high likelihood of rectal bleeding from
mechanical laceration of the anal canal.
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Typical for post-antibiotic treatments and for
people attempting fiber-free (low-carb)
diets.
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Flatulence isn’t likely, because
fermentation of fiber isn’t
taking place.
Type 2: Sausage-like but lumpy
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Represents a combination of Type
1 stools impacted into a single mass and lumped together
by fiber components and
some bacteria.
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Typical for organic constipation. The diameter is 3 to 4 cm (1.2–1.6”).
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This type is the most destructive by far
because its size is near or exceeds the maximum
opening of the anal canal’s aperture (3.5 cm). It’s bound to cause
extreme straining during elimination, and most likely to cause anal canal
laceration, hemorrhoidal prolapse, or diverticulosis.
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To attain this form,
the stools must be in the colon for at least
several weeks instead of the normal 72 hours.
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Rectal pain,
hemorrhoid disease, anal fissures, withholding or delaying of defecation, and
a history of chronic constipation are
the most likely causes.
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Minor flatulence is probable.
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A person experiencing
these stools is most likely to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome because of
continuous pressure of large stools on the intestinal walls.
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The possibility of
obstruction of the small intestine is high, because the large intestine is
filled to capacity with stools.
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Adding supplemental fiber to expel these stools
is dangerous, because the expanded fiber has no place to go, and may cause
hernia, obstruction, or perforation of the small and large intestine alike.
Type 3: Like a sausage but with cracks in the surface
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This form has all of the characteristics of Type 2 stools, but
the transit time is faster, between one and two
weeks.
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Typical for latent constipation. The diameter is 2 to 3.5
cm (0.8–1.4”).
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Irritable bowel syndrome is likely.
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Flatulence is minor, because
of gut dysbiosis.
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The fact that it hasn’t became as enlarged as Type 2 suggests
that the defecations are regular.
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Straining is required.
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All of the adverse
effects typical for Type 2 stools are likely for type 3, especially the rapid
deterioration of hemorrhoid disease.
Type 4: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft
Type 5: Soft blobs with clear-cut edges - this is "best"
stool type
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This is considered the "ideal" form.
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It is typical for a person who has
stools twice or three times daily, after major meals.
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The diameter is 1 to 1.5
cm (0.4–0.6”).
Type 6: Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool
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This form is close to the margins of comfort in several respects.
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First, it may be difficult to control the urge,
especially when you don’t have immediate access to a bathroom.
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Second, it is a rather
messy affair to manage with toilet paper
alone, unless you have access to a flexible shower or bidet.
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Otherwise, consider it borderline normal.
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These kind of stools may suggest a slightly hyperactive colon (fast motility),
excess dietary potassium, or sudden dehydration or spike in blood pressure
related to stress (both cause the rapid release of water and potassium
from blood plasma into the intestinal cavity).
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It can also indicate a
hypersensitive personality prone to stress, too many spices, drinking water with
a high mineral content, or the use of osmotic (mineral salts) laxatives.
Type 7: Watery, no solid pieces,
diarrhea
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This, of course, is diarrhea, a subject outside the scope with
just one important and notable exception—so-called
paradoxical diarrhea.
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It’s typical for
people (especially young children and infirm or convalescing adults)
affected by fecal impaction—a condition
that follows or accompanies type 1 stools.
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During paradoxical diarrhea the
liquid contents of the small intestine (up to 1.5–2 liters/quarts daily) have no
place to go but down, because the large intestine is stuffed with impacted
stools throughout its entire length.
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Some water gets absorbed, the rest
accumulates in the rectum.
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The reason this type of diarrhea is called
paradoxical is not because its nature isn’t known or understood,
but because being severely constipated and
experiencing diarrhea all at once is a paradoxical situation.
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