I’m a stomach doctor: Here is what the shape of your poop means about your bowel health

A doctor has revealed the shocking reason why our stools have different shapes and what this could mean for our health.

Dr. Nigma Talib, a naturopathic doctor and gut expert, has gone viral TikTok by sharing the nicknames, she gives different stool forms.

The health expert, who has been practicing for more than 20 years, shared a video that garnered 5.8 million views and more than 108,000 likes.

In the afterDr. Talib identified some of the different forms of stool – and what they can mean for our health.

In the shape of a hot dog

A stool type Dr. Talib, nicknamed the “hot dog sausage,” is the “perfect” poop.

The first type was round poop. This type can be difficult to pass or only occur in small amounts.

It could be a sign of constipation and an indication that you’re eating too much protein and not enough fiber.

If you’re getting too much protein, consider cutting back on meat and eating a variety of fruits and vegetables instead to increase your fiber intake.

For example, a cup of raspberries or broccoli alone can contain 2.6 to 6.5 grams of fiber.

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends filling your plate with half fruits and veggies, 25 percent whole grains, and only 25 percent protein.

Floating

By itself, floating poop isn’t always a sign of something serious.

For example, it could simply mean that your body has too much gas.

This can happen after sudden dietary changes, such as adding foods like broccoli, beans, and lentils to your diet.

Lactose can also lead to excessive amounts of gas.

Dr. However, Talib also said that floating poop could be linked to a lack of bile, which the liver produces to filter waste such as toxins and excess cholesterol.

Insufficient bile in the stool may indicate bile acid malabsorption. When bile is not absorbed properly, it causes chemical imbalances, which can eventually lead to diarrhea.

If your poop floats, that could also mean it has too much fat in it, Dr. Talib said. This can be a symptom of celiac disease and gastrointestinal infections.

Round stools can be hard to pass, indicating too much protein and not enough fiber

Caterpillar shaped

Caterpillar-shaped stools may mean you are dehydrated and/or constipated.

This stool is lumpy and shaped like tree trunks. As with rounder shapes, this type of stool can be difficult to pass if you are constipated.

Caterpillar poop can also mean you’re dehydrated, which goes hand in hand with constipation.

The intestines and colon absorb water from the stool to keep the body hydrated.

When there is no water to draw from, the stool becomes lumpy and takes on the shape of a caterpillar.

Drinking plenty of water can soften these stools. Setting a daily goal for yourself and gradually increasing it can help you drink more water if you’re struggling to hydrate adequately.

Pap-like

Although porridge poop is not completely liquid, it is considered a mild form of diarrhea.

Dr. Talib attributed this type to food intolerance, anxiety and excess magnesium.

She also said this type could be due to an infection.

If it doesn’t last more than a few days, it’s probably a common virus or stomach flu.

However, diarrhea has also been linked to bacteria such as E. coli.

Other E. coli symptoms include stomach cramps and vomiting, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Too much magnesium, either from diet or medications, can also lead to diarrhea, as well as stomach cramps and vomiting, she said.

Slimy

Dr. Talib’s last form of stool was “mucus poop,” which can have white or yellow streaks in it.

This can be an indicator of inflammatory bowel disease, especially Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease is an intestinal disorder that can cause inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract, from the esophagus to the anus.

In addition to stool with mucus in it, Crohn’s disease causes diarrhea, malnutrition, blood in the stool and abdominal pain, according to Mayo clinic.

An estimated 500,000 people in the United States have Crohn’s disease.

Dr. Talib also attributed this form of stool to bacterial infections such as salmonella and shigellosis.