Although it’s often a hush-hush topic, going to the toilet is something we all need to do. After all, what goes in, must come out. But things don’t always run smoothly down there and knowing what’s normal and what’s not , can help you work out whether there’s a problem.
From dealing with piles to knowing what your number two should look like, an expert answers your most common toilet-related questions...
1. How often should I go for a poo? If you haven’t been for a couple of days, or you seem to be going a lot in one day, you might be wondering if your bowel habits are ‘normal’. Dr Philip Mayhead, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Benenden Hospital, part of Benenden Health, says: “What’s ‘normal’ is what’s ‘normal for you’.
Read more on poo habits “The average bowel function across the population is between three times a day and once every three days, but it is possible for a healthy person to sit outside this range. “It’s important to contact your doctor if your bowel habit changes significantly. For instance, contact your GP if you are going much more frequently or much less frequently than you usually do over the course of several weeks.
” Changes in your bowel habits may be a sign of bowel cancer, including constipation , diarrhoea , blood in stool, feeling like you have not emptied and going more often. 2 . Why am I having to strain so much? It might be normal for you to not go often, such as once a day.
But if it is difficult too, you.