Poop - what is normal?
This is not a substitute for direct care by YOUR doctor. Confirm with your doctor before doing any of the following.
How much should I poop???
- Most people should poop anywhere from once every 3 days to 3 times a day.
- For those of you with an ostomy, you should have 0.5 to 1.0 liters of output, on average, daily.
- Your poop consistency should be a 3 or 4 on the handy Bristol stool chart. If you are having frequent bowel movements but they look like numbers 1 or 2, then you are constipated.
- If there is blood in your stool, in the toilet, or on the toilet tissue then you should see your doctor!
Thompson WG. Constipation and catharsis. Can Med Assoc J. 1976 May 22;114(10):927-31. PMID: 1268778; PMCID: PMC1957091.
Walter SA, Kjellström L, Nyhlin H, Talley NJ, Agréus L. Assessment of normal bowel habits in the general adult population: the Popcol study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2010 May;45(5):556-66. doi: 10.3109/00365520903551332. PMID: 20205503.
Constipation
Constipation Care
- Fiber and hydration are the first step. To avoid constipation, take a fiber product such ad psyllium husk (Metamucil, Citrucel, etc). Start with 1 teaspoon twice a day. Slowly increase up to two teaspoons twice a day. You can also do two teaspoons 1 time per day to start. Make sure to stay hydrated to get the full benefits of fiber.
If fiber is not enough (or does not help) then:
1. Start with 200 mg Colace twice a day (plus fiber). You can also add Magnesium Oxide 400 mg daily.
2. If that is not enough, then add Miralax 1-3 times per day.
3. If that is not enough then add Milk of Magnesia 1 time per day.
4. If that is not enough, then add Magnesium Citrate (1/2 to 1 bottle).
IF YOU BEGIN TO GET NAUSEATED OR VOMIT IN ADDITION TO BEING UNABLE TO HAVE A BOWEL MOVEMENT (OR PASS GAS), THEN SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.