Abnormal bowel movements indicate that your gastrointestinal tract is not well. This is often the first warning of a severe condition, so you should take it very seriously. To know whether your bowel movements are abnormal, you should first understand what normal bowel movements are. Different people have different kinds of bowel movements, so there is no standardization of normal bowel movements.
Here are some common symptoms that should put you on a high alert. If you are experiencing any of these, it may be time to consult a doctor and find out what is wrong.
List of Common Symptoms for Abnormal Bowel Movements
Common abnormal bowel movements and their causes –
| Abnormality | Cause |
| Constipation | Low fiber, dehydration. |
| Diarrhea | Infection, intolerance. |
| Bloody Stools | Hemorrhoids, IBD. |
| Frequent Bowel Movements | IBS, hyperthyroidism. |
| Hard Stools | Dehydration, diet. |
| Floating Stools | Malabsorption, gas. |
| Pale or Clay-Colored | Bile duct block, liver issues. |
| Greasy or Foul-Smelling | Malabsorption, pancreatitis. |
Frequency of Bowel Movements
The first indicator that alerts you about the abnormality of your bowel movements is the frequency with which you make bowel movements. Conventionally, it is believed that a healthy person has bowel movements once a day. However, medically, there is no such rule. The fact is that some people may have their bowel movements once in two days as well. If you are having irregular bowel movements and are not able to pass more than three times a week, this may be an indication of a problem. If you are not passing bowel movements, it may mean that there is a lot of toxin buildup in your body, which could attract parasites and pathogens.
Constipation
Another indication of abnormal bowel movements is constipation. If you have been having constipation repeatedly, it means your digestion is not working correctly. Constipation usually occurs when you have bowel movements very occasionally. It makes your bowel movements dry and hard, making them very difficult to pass. There may be a lot of pain when you try to defecate, and this is often accompanied by bloating and stomach cramps.
Diarrhea
Apart from constipation, another abnormal sign of bowel movements is diarrhea. Diarrhea is a loose, watery stool that may occur several times a day. It may be caused by eating something that has gone bad, such as moldy bread or foods that have parasites. These are abnormal and can cause an electrolyte imbalance in your body, hampering the functioning of vital organs. This could also lead to severe dehydration and, in rare cases, even death.
A Sudden Change in Bowel Movements
You may experience a sudden change in your bowel movements. This means if you had bowel movements daily, they may suddenly drop to only a few in a week. There may also be a change in frequency, smell, shape, color, and consistency. Also, check to see if your stools have any peculiarities. Blood in the stools could be an indication of bleeding ulcers, hemorrhoids, and other severe problems in your stomach.
Color
The color of your stool is usually associated with your overall health. Red or deep brown stools are typically caused by blood in the stools. Green stools indicate parasites, and any color other than normal indicates abnormal bowel movements.
