Different Types of Poo

Question: When is a stool, not a stool?

Answer: When its a poo!

Doctors call poo, a stool. That's right. A stool. But this kind of stool is not comfortable to sit on. You may have noticed that poo is often different shapes and sizes. Doctors have created a chart to describe these different poos. It is called the Bristol Stool Scale.

Types 3 and 4 are normal healthy kinds of poo. Types 1 and 2 are hard poo, usually when when a person is constipated. You can get this kind of poo if you do not drink enough water or juice, have not eaten enough fruit or vegetables or if you do not go to the toilet when you feel you need to. The longer the poo stays in your body, the harder it gets, and it may even hurt when you try and push it out.

Types 5, 6 and 7 are soft poo. They could be a sign that a person is poorly. The poo has travelled far too quickly through the body and the water from the poo has not been absorbed. Sometimes this kind of poo is the bodies natural defence against poisoning or things it is trying to get rid of.

What kind of poo did you do today?