Problem/Solution: Poop. when it's not right, it's really wrong

This is my favorite question to ask of my clients, especially with the initial intake. I often wish there was a camera available because the expressions this question creates are priceless..

"So, tell me about your poop."

Terror, horror, disgust, confusion, or a huge smile.. No one talks about this. My grandmother once asked me, I was 5 or 6, if I had a BM that day. I didnt know what that meant, and when she paraphrased with 'poopy' I furrowed my brow, clenched my teeth, looked around in embarrassment and hissed 'yes.,.' i think I lied too. I dont think I had but, somehow, knew that would fasciltate more questions. My mom might have to get involved and I just couldnt take it. And I was 5.

Imagine asking a 32 year old man, 'so.. How's your poop.' Its a really fun part of my job. But I am completely comfortable talking about it.. remember the book "Everyone Poops".. a classic. and it is true. Although some more than others.

Now, everyone's body is different. Some people have perfectly formed, easy to evacuate poops 2-3x a day. That is amazing, and if it is you, congratulations, that is wonderful. Most arent like that.

Here is a few sub-questions.. how often, what color, is it soft, hard, break apart when it hits the water, break apart with flushing, foul smelling or just 'poop' smell, hard pebbles, what time of the day do you poop..

And all of these answers create one big poop picture so that we can diagnose a myriad of things about how your body is functioning. Each answer can point to a handful of diagnoses and when you look at all the answers, it becomes clear..

IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a generic term for 'I poop weird'.. Sometimes lots of diarrhea, sometimes diarrhea then constipation and back and forth, often it has to do with anxiety. Correct the anxiety, and correct the IBS.. A lot of woman have irratic changes in their bowels just before and during their periods, what you can eat can affect your poops, what you drink and how much of it. Coffee can be a lazative for some and a constipator for others- check that out!

Hydrating, exercising, lots of good vegetables, all of this really can help move the bowels along, but sometimes there is a deeper, more systemic issue. And sometimes that issue, isnt actually an issue.

Ok, full poop disclosure.. I don't poop every day "gasp, what? did she say.."

yes, yes I did. And it is okay. It appears my body just needs more time to take the nutrients out, or, I took so many batches of antibiotics as a kid that the bacteria in my colon never fully came back and so it takes a longer time to get the job done (I may be making that up, again, full disclosure..)

The point is, we are all very different.
Here is what is not okay when it happens often/regularly...

diarrhea
more than 48 hours of not pooping
mucous
odor that is nauseating
pebble poop
poop that is black or really light
cramping pain
blood

and all of the above issues are easily addressed most of the time. Almost all of the time, in fact. Like every other issue, these are symptoms of a larger imbalance that simply needs to be corrected.

I highly suggest, for 2 weeks, make a poop journal. Start looking at your poop. Describe it. and 'i dont know, its poop' is like saying 'i dont know, its a flower.'.. you can do better than that.
Food intake changes, stressors, booze binges, time of day, all of it, write it down.. You will start seeing a pattern. Maybe you poop every day like clockwork, except the day after you eat pizza.. maybe you poop every other day comfortably until just before your period and then you are just terrified to leave the house because you dont really want to risk having a poocano at your ex's birthday party.. There are so many pooping possibilities, and since YOU are the only one that can be privvy to your pooping habits, maybe you should know them....

per usual, if you have any questions feel free to post them or to email me directly at clairemooneytcm@gmail.com!

Happy pooping!!