While the appearance of your stool can tell you a lot about your digestive health, did you know that the frequency of your bowel movements can also reveal a lot about your overall health? From helping you understand which foods suit your stomach and which don't to highlighting underlying health problems, how often you go to the toilet can be quite telling.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Manek Kutar, Department of Gastroenterology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, discusses the normal and abnormal patterns of bowel movements and what particularly having too many of them actually means.
Also Read: The Morning Bowel Movement: Expert Answers If Timing Matters For Your Health
How Many Bowel Movements Is Considered Normal?
In general, stool passage of less than three times per week is suggestive of constipation, and in excess of three times per day is considered diarrhoea, says Dr Kutar, adding that a good bowel habit involves passing stools regularly and without discomfort.
A ‘normal’ bowel habit may vary a lot from one person to another. What is typical for one person may not be the same for another.
The doctor further highlights the factor that is more important than the frequency of stool passage, which is the consistency of stools. “Passage of loose, watery stool can happen due to multiple reasons, the most common of which is an underlying gastrointestinal infection or inflammation. Increased passage of loose, watery stools that can result in dehydration and electrolyte disturbance is cause for concern and merits a visit to the physician,” he shared.
Common Reasons For Too Many Bowel Movements
Increased frequency of passage of loose, watery stools can occur due to multiple factors. The most common are:
- Infections or food poisoning: multiple bacterial, parasitic, as well as viral infections can give rise to raised stool frequency.
- Medications like antibiotics, prokinetic agents, antacid preparations, antihypertensives, and antineoplastic drugs.
- Stress and anxiety, which can give rise to increased stool frequency via “gut-brain interaction.”.
- Dietary factors, including the intake of milk and milk-containing products, especially in those with lactose intolerance, and caffeinated beverages.
- Hormonal factors as seen in those with overactive thyroid disorder (hyperthyroidism)
- Functional disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Could Frequent Bowel Movements Mean An Underlying Health Problem?
Frequent bowel movements can also indicate an underlying health problem, especially if the frequency of stools persists for more than a period of four weeks, suggesting a ‘chronic’ diarrhoea, says Dr Kutar.
Some of the common causes of chronic diarrhoea include:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): a functional bowel disorder
- Inflammatory Bowel disease like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- Immunocompromised states like HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
- Malabsorptive disorders like coeliac disease and tropical sprue
Red Flags To Not Ignore
If you have frequent bowel movements, there are specific warning signs that you should not overlook, as you may require immediate medical consultation. These include:
- Stool frequency persisting for a long period of time
- Blood in stool
- Dehydration, malnutrition, and electrolyte disturbances
- Severe abdominal pain or fever
- Multiple episodes of vomiting and not allowing fluid intake
- Significant weight loss.
Conclusion
How often you pass stools can provide insights into your digestive health. While both constipation and diarrhoea can indicate underlying issues, a sudden or persistent increase in bowel movements, especially when accompanied by red flags like blood in stool, dehydration, or weight loss, should not be ignored. If you notice any unusual patterns or discomfort, seeking timely medical advice can help prevent complications. Moreover, maintaining a balanced diet, managing stress, and staying hydrated can also support healthy bowel habits.