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Healthy Poops...What Your Poo is Telling You

9/6/2016

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I was never going to be one of those mom’s who obsessed about what was, or was not filling up my kid’s diaper, but here I am talking about poo. I always chuckled when parents would ask me about what this poop meant, but it wasn’t until I had my own child and cleaning those dirty diapers I started paying more attention to what was coming out of my little one. The truth is taking a look before throwing that diaper away, or even before you flush can be very informative about what’s going on in your body. So here’s a short list of what your poo is telling you.









​​Toddler and Adult Poops
The texture or consistency of poop may be a sign of what’s going on inside:
• Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, mushy – this is on the edge of normal but is on its way to
becoming diarrhea
• Watery, no solid pieces, all liquid – this is diarrhea which is probably caused by some sort of infection since this is the body’s way of cleaning itself: make sure to drink lots of clear liquids to replace the fluids lost otherwise this will result in dehydration
• Soft and sticks to the side of the toilet bowl – this is the presence of too much oil, which is possibly the result of an improper absorption of fats and could be a sign of disease such as chronic pancreatitis
• Soft blocks with clear-cut edges – not too bad, pretty normal for someone who is pooping multiple times a day
• Separate hard lumps like nuts – this is a sign of a lack of fiber and fluids: drink more water and eat more vegetables
• Sausage-shaped but lumpy – not as serious as separate hard lumps: still drink more water and eat more vegetables
• S​ausage-shaped but with cracks on the surface – this is normal but the cracks signify the need for more water
• Sausage-shaped, smooth and soft – optimal poop
The only shape or consistency that could be a concern is pencil-thin stools for more than a week. Skinny bowel
movements can indicate a serious problem, especially if they become thinner over several weeks. If this occurs,
requesting a colonoscopy may be wise. Something else to consider: stool that is floating. This is typically harmless but may be a sign of either too much gas, a gastrointestinal infection or malabsorption. Floating stool is not a reason to contact a primary care provider unless it is accompanied by sudden weight loss, dizziness or fever.
Stress Concerns
Studies in the fields of psychosomatic medicine and gastroenterology have shown that many bowel complaints have a large psychological component. One example is Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. This common condition is characterized by chronic or alternating diarrhea and constipation, sometimes accompanied by bloating, discomfort and abdominal pain. Studies have shown that it’s difficult to confirm a cause, but those with IBS tend to score high when tested for neuroticism and find that many of their health issues have a basis in anxiety and depression. Sufferers of IBS may have problems with self-assertion and often report histories of abuse.
Studies in neurogastroenterology are beginning to uncover some of the roots of IBS and find that it may be tied to the enteric nervous system, the “second brain” that controls the internal organs, especially the intestines.

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Baby Poops
Breastfed babies typically have yellow poop that’s speckled with little seeds like fancy mustard and will poop more than once a day – usually after they are fed. 
Bottle fed babies have tan, yellow or greenish poop and will typically need a diaper changed once a day. 
Be aware that a breastfed baby may absorb the nutrients in their mother’s milk more completely so it’s not completely uncommon for a breastfed baby to go a few days without a bowel movement. However, if they’re straining or uncomfortable this could be a sign of constipation. Babies that have bloody stools or mucus in their stools should be taken to their primary care provider.
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Color
In most cases, excrement should be brown. While diet may sometimes result in a change of color (for instance,
blueberries may turn bowels blue and beets will frequently cause a red tint) poop is supposed to be brown. Colors other than brown may indicate a health issue.
• White or clay-colored stools may indicate a lack of bile in the stool – this may be caused by insufficient
bile output or obstruction due to conditions such as gallstones, parasitic infection, hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, etc. However, medications such as antacids, Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate may also cause this color. Remember that stomach acids are an important part of digestion, and antacids taken too frequently may actually cause heartburn as well as digestion and elimination issues.
• Green stool is typically caused by overactive or increased bowel transit time, meaning the bile doesn’t have time to change from green to brown. This may be caused by food poisoning, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome or other diseases, as well as alcoholism and the side effects of some medications including antibiotics or over the counter drugs.
• Yellow stool is primarily caused by an inability to digest fat – inadequate digestive enzyme production from the pancreas, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis or intestinal infections.
• Black, tarry stools are typically caused by bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, colon) – this may also be a symptom of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal infection or diverticulosis, and gastritis, or it could be indicative of cancer; however, black licorice, blueberries, beets, tomatoes, lead, iron pills and medications like Pepto-Bismol may also cause this appearance.
• Red stool is typically caused by intestinal bleeding – although the stool is not usually entirely red, the
causes are similar to those of black, tarry stool but may also be caused by food coloring and certain dietary supplements.
Medication Concerns
Constipation and other bowel issues have been linked to some prescription and over the counter medications.
For instance, opioid based pain relievers may cause constipation. Antibiotics may destroy the good bacteria in
the bowels while going after the bad bacteria, so consider taking probiotics after a course of any antibiotics.

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A bigger concern, however, may be over-the-counter laxatives being used for constipation. Oral laxatives may interfere with absorption of nutrients but that’s not as worrisome as what happens when they’re taken too much. Eventually the body becomes dependent upon them and they must be taken even more frequently; however, with greater use the body can become immune to the drug and they stop working all together. Before beginning to take any laxative try lifestyle changes first: eat more fiber-rich foods, drink more water and exercise regularly. Even going for a 20-minute walk once a day for a week can help to regulate bowel movements.
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The Chiropractic Factor
Since the central nervous system controls all of the systems including digestion and elimination, bowel issues may be related to vertebral subluxation. If the signals from the brain aren’t getting to the muscles, organs and glands (including the intestines) then the result may be constipation or diarrhea.

Many parents of children and newborns have reported back that after a few gentle adjustments their little ones
were able to have normal, healthy bowel movements. It’s not unusual to have a constipated baby fill their diaper
immediately following an adjustment. 
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De-Stressing the Holidays

11/19/2014

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A poll by the American Psychological Association has found that during the holidays 69% of people are stressed by a “lack of time”, 69% are stressed by a “lack of money” and 51% are stressed over the “pressure to give or get gifts”. That’s a lot of stress for what should be the most joyous time of year.

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The Dangers of Stress
Reducing stress during the holidays can have far-reaching positive effects on our health. First, take into account
that stress negatively affects the spine. Stress causes the muscles in the back and neck to tense, which can cause
the vertebrae in the spine to shift, creating subluxation or nerve interference. This in turn may result in symptoms that can be mistaken for common illnesses. For instance, nerve interference in the neck may result in a stuffed up or runny nose. Similar subluxations in the middle back may cause difficulty with digestion and elimination.
Stress can also create its own physical issues including: inflammation, high cortisol levels leading to weight gain,
sleep interference (which results in its own problems), metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal distress and more.
Since the majority of people will claim at least a modest level of stress any other day of the year, it’s important to
try not to add to that with the holiday season.
Technology Works “For” You
There are many ways that Facebook and Smartphones can
work for you in helping to de- stress your holidays with the most obvious being scheduling family gatherings and other holiday parties.
First, the basic Facebook “Events” works great as a way to create an event and then invite those that you wish to attend. As long as your friend or family member is also on Facebook they’ll be able to accept your invite, send an invite to others and you’ll have a pretty reliable headcount. Remember that typically only about 60% of those who say they are going to attend actually do.
A second option is to create a fan page or group for your event. This allows for a lot more flexibility in what others can share with you regarding their attendance. They can post the items they’ll bring or who will be attending with them, etc. With this option you can also post Word documents that can include the menu or a wish list of what you need others to volunteer to bring or areas where they can assist. 
Creating a shopping list with a budget causing you stress? There’s an app for that. Santa’s Bag, Gift List, Gift Plan, and more are available at iTunes. Gift List Manager, Christmas Gift List and more can be purchased for Androids.
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Technology Works “Against” You
While some people can make technology work for them, perhaps you’re one of the many Facebook and
Smartphone users that have found that technology
seems to be just one more thing you “have to do”.
Overstimulation can add to stress and time spent in front of Facebook or on your phone is time that can be put to better use during what’s already a pretty busy time of year. It may be time to disengage from technology.
Smartphones can become a major source of stress when it makes it possible for you to be contacted at any time night or day: after work hours, weekends, holidays and more. It may be time for you to turn off your phone and focus on the other areas of your life that are more valuable to you.
Facebook can also become a major time drain from which it may be time to walk away. Post a status wishing everyone “Happy Holidays” let them know that you’ll “see them in January” and then disengage. It’s okay to let technology work for you but what if it’s part of the problem? Step back, look at your technology use then consider if it’s an area where you need to de-stress.
Family Time
Adam Anderson, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, has hypothesized that media may be the cause of most stress during the holidays. With all of the commercials and movies showing happy, smiling families gathering together for the holidays, it can be a harsh spotlight on a lonely family member. A Canadian study of patients that received emergency psychiatric care during the holidays found that the mostcommon stressor was feeling alone or not having family. It’s also not uncommon to be a little melancholy during this time of year if there’s been a recent loss in the family or if a couple is dealing with a recent empty-nest.
Holiday get-togethers can be a glaring reminder of the missing family member and it’s important to recognize that there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging negative feelings. However, it’s vital to not let these feelings take over completely. Try to remember the positive and focus on the present: reach out to family, volunteer at a soup kitchen or just phone a friend. It may be the best time to travel or perhaps there is an opportunity to be part of a mission trip to a third world country. Make a way to connect with others and stay busy as this will help to avoid feelings of loneliness.
Meditation or Quiet Reflection
Letting feelings of stress, depression or aggravation
build without interruption is similar to a pressure cooker: steam needs to be released a little at a time or eventually it’s going to blow. Recognizing our limitations and acknowledging the need to take a breather may be the best step to de-stress.
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It may be as simple as taking five minutes to list in your mind the three things for which you are the most grateful and focusing all of your energy on those three things. Think about why you are grateful for them, how they came to be in your life or what makes them so special to you. Research has shown that gratitude has both physical and mental benefits including: a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, more restful sleep and the tendency to have a healthier diet and exercise lifestyle.
Meditation can be achieved through Yoga but also through focused breathing. Find a comfortable position, close your eyes, rest your hands comfortably and focus on your actual breathing. Concentrate on each inhalation and exhalation. Try to clear your mind, especially of whatever is causing your stress. 
Quiet reflection or a quiet time may include writing in a journal or drawing a picture; or it may be spent in quiet contemplation of your life or in spiritual communication. What it boils down to is that any of these examples of bringing yourself to a place of internal peace and quiet should have a positive effect on your stress levels.

In Summary
Everyone is different and stress affects everyone differently. For some the best way to relieve stress is to shut out the world and find your peace; and for others the presence of family, friends and loved ones is the answer. For some using technology to bring everything together will solve all of life’s problems; and for others technology is the problem. Whatever the cause of your stress there is a way to diffuse it.
The doctors at Thomas Family Chiropractic recognizes the importance of having a stress-free, joy-filled holiday season but, perhaps more importantly, they understand the damage that can be caused by holiday stress. This time of the year is when your regular adjustments may be the most beneficial so be sure to make your chiropractic appointments a priority.
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    Authors:
    Dr. Ali & Dr. Josh

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