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STOOL & ELIMINATION HEALTH QUIZ

My Poop is green, what does it mean? Your bowel movements tell a story of your health. The type, color, shape, and consistency of your feces reveal important information about your colon, intestines, and your body in general. With Ayurveda, you can learn to decipher the mysteries and meaning of your stool, and become a virtuoso poop detective!

This free quiz can help you discover signs and symptoms of bowel health & imbalance. It includes an assessment of bowel elimination, and stools. When you are done you will be taken to a results page where you can view your imbalances. The results from this test will guide you to healthy food choices and recipes matching your body's unique digestive needs. This test will take approximately ten minutes to fill.

Page 1: Check the boxes for symptoms you experience on a regular basis, or that were significant in the past.

Which boxes best describe your 'Stool'?

Sausage / banana shaped stool

This type of stool indicates a healthy, well-formed stool. The ideal poop is like a banana in size, shape and consistency with a medium brown color and no cracks on the surface. The bowels should eliminate 1-2x daily, with the first movement in the...

Learn more about 'Sausage / banana shaped stool'.

Sausage shape stool with cracks on surface

Cracks on the surface of a stool indicate moderate dryness of the stool and dehydration. The stool may be sitting in the bowels for too long. As the stool sits in the bowels, the intestines continue to absorb water from them, making the stool into a...

Learn more about 'Sausage shape stool with cracks on surface'.

Sausage or snake stool with smooth surface

A smooth surface on stool indicates the stool is well hydrated. A long stool indicates adequate fiber or poor absorption. The ideal poop is like a banana in size, shape and consistency with a medium brown color and no cracks on the surface. The...

Learn more about 'Sausage or snake stool with smooth surface'.

Long, large stool (Lincoln Log)

The satisfying daily release of a long, large lincoln log stool indicates adequate soluble and insoluble fiber in the diet. The fiber absorbs moisture which increases the size of the stool. Constipation accompanied by a long, large stool can...

Learn more about 'Long, large stool (Lincoln Log)'.

Rabbit pellet / Hard lumpy stool

Small, hard stool indicates either dryness in the colon or that the stool is sitting in the colon for too long. Hard, dry stools are considered to be a sign of constipation. When stool sits in the colon too long, it begins to rot. The rotting stool...

Learn more about 'Rabbit pellet / Hard lumpy stool'.

Stool formed, but porous & airy

Have you ever seen air bubbles in your poop? Is your poop frothy? Frothy poop is a sign of poor digestion. When food digests poorly, it sits too long in your gut and bacteria begin to grow. This causes fermentation, the same process...

Learn more about 'Stool formed, but porous & airy'.

Stool entirely liquid, no solid pieces

Irritation, inflammation and osmotic laxatives can often cause stools to completely liquefy. This condition quickly depletes the body of fluids and electrolytes, causing weight loss and dehydration. The loss of electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps...

Learn more about 'Stool entirely liquid, no solid pieces'.

Stool in mushy pieces mixed with liquid

Stool in pieces mixed with liquid should be differentiated from mud-like stool. Mud like stool is stool that has never formed into a solid. Mushy pieces imply the stool was formed, then mixed with liquids, perhaps implicating the colon. When the...

Learn more about 'Stool in mushy pieces mixed with liquid'.

Frothy Stool / with Bubbles

About Foamy Poop Frothy stools are those that contain bubbles and look somewhat like a foamy poop. Frothy stools mean there is a lot of air mixed with the stool due to gut fermentation. The bubbles in foamy stool are...

Learn more about 'Frothy Stool / with Bubbles'.

Stool thick mud

Stool that is thick mud can imply that digestive organs are too weak to fully digest the food (Vata). Or, muddy stools can reflect a diet that is too rich. It may also be a sign of excess bile (Pitta). If the stool has a foul odor, it is a hot &...

Learn more about 'Stool thick mud'.

Soft Stool

When stools are soft, you lose vital fluids and electrolytes. When stools are soft, there is often poor absorption of foods. You may feel drained & tired. The longer your stools are soft, the more your ojas will be depleted. Stools become soft...

Learn more about 'Soft Stool'.

Narrow Stool / Stringy Poop - Thin, pencil stool

Narrow Stools (Stringy poop, Pencil stool) can indicate inflammation or growths in the colon causing a stricture (narrowing of the inside of the tube). The inflammation can obstruct the movement of stools. It can also be a simple sign of loose...

Learn more about 'Narrow Stool / Stringy Poop - Thin, pencil stool'.

Groove in length of stool

A polyp, internal hemorrhoid, or something protruding into the colon can create a consistent groove in the stool. This condition should be checked by a qualified gastroenterologist to rule out colon cancer.

Learn more about 'Groove in length of stool'.

Parasite passed in stool

Passing a parasite in your stool is a definitive sign you have parasites. Parasites are organisms that live within another organism, often causing harm to the host. They can live in multiple locations in the human body, but many prefer the digestive...

Learn more about 'Parasite passed in stool'.

Undigested food in stool

Skins of foods, poorly chewed foods, and foods that are difficult can be seen in the stools. Undigested food is often a sign of a low digestive fire. Poor digestion may be due to a blood deficiency, stress, poor routine & eating habits, or eating...

Learn more about 'Undigested food in stool'.

Foul odorous stool

The body doesn't make foul odors. Odorous stool implies food is rotting and fermenting in the gut. Poop starts to rot when it sits too long in the gut (constipation). When you cannot absorb the nutrients from your food (malabsorption, Vata), the...

Learn more about 'Foul odorous stool'.

Shiny / oily / fatty stools

Fatty poop, greasy stools, steatorrhea, or whatever you'd like to call it, one thing is certain: oily stool indicates dysfunctional fat absorption. Fatty stools can manifest in different ways. You may see oil floating in the toilet with stool, light...

Learn more about 'Shiny / oily / fatty stools'.

Mucus on stool

Is Your Digestion Bogged Down with Mucus? Individuals have an innate curiosity about what happens in the murky depths of the bowels. When they see something strange happening down there, they wonder what it means,...

Learn more about 'Mucus on stool'.

Sinking stool

Sinking stool is a sign of a rich, heavy diet. Ice cream often makes the stool sink. When food sits in the bowels too long, the stool may become hard and dense. Easy to digest food, mild digestives and fiber should be used to clear the digestive...

Learn more about 'Sinking stool'.

Floating stool

High fat content may cause stools to float. Stools will appear yellow in this case. Stools may float if the fiber in the stool is high, generally appearing bulky. Stools also float when fermentation aerates the stools.

Learn more about 'Floating stool'.

Pus in stool

Pus in stool is a sign of active infection. Please see a medical doctor promptly to address this condition.

Learn more about 'Pus in stool'.

Which boxes best describe your 'Stool Color'?

Dark brown stool

Stercobilin is the chemical responsible for the brown color of human fecal material. When stool sits in the colon too long, it becomes smaller, drier, and more concentrated, thus darker. You can test colon transit time by eating a cup of well cooked...

Learn more about 'Dark brown stool'.

Light brown stool / Cardboard colored

Yellow or green stool indicates quick transit time through the bowels. A light brown stool (the color of cardboard or lighter) may be lacking sufficient bile, a sign of Vata type dryness in the liver. This is especially true if the light colored...

Learn more about 'Light brown stool / Cardboard colored'.

Yellow stool

Why is your poop yellow? There are two main causes of this anomaly of the bowels. The most common is when stools are moving too quickly through the intestines, called a fast bowel transit time. This rapid elimination of stools is usually from...

Learn more about 'Yellow stool'.

Green stool

Green poop is caused by a bright green fluid called bile, secreted by the liver. Bile helps you digest fat and helps you absorb fat soluble vitamins. It is also an intestinal lubricant that softens the stool. Your stool is initially green in...

Learn more about 'Green stool'.

Tarry black stools

Babies have tarry black stools called melena for the first few days after birth. Otherwise, tarry black stool indicates implies blood in the stool that has been digested. This tarry black stool will have a peculiar smell and indicates upper...

Learn more about 'Tarry black stools'.

Bloody stools

Although most cases resolve spontaneously, bleeding from the GI tract can be scary. Blood in the stool (hematochezia) can come from hemorrhoids, diverticulum, inflammatory bowel diseases, impacted fecal matter, ulcers, angiodysplasia, polyps or...

Learn more about 'Bloody stools'.

Gray Stool

Gray or light colored stool may have insufficient bile for digestion.

Learn more about 'Gray Stool'.

Orange / Rubbery Stool

The bile of man and carnivorous animals is of a deep orange-red color, turning to greenish-brown by decomposition of its coloring matter. The bile pigment of man and carnivora is chiefly the reddish form called bilirubin. It is insoluble in water...

Learn more about 'Orange / Rubbery Stool'.

Which boxes best describe your 'Elimination / Bowel Routine'?

Constipation

How often should you poop? Ayurveda suggests that one bowel movement in the early morning followed by a possible second bowel movement later in the day is appropriate. Your stool should be more or less the shape and texture of a ripe banana, easy to...

Learn more about 'Constipation'.

Use laxatives frequently

Laxatives are substances that help encourage a bowel movement. They are generally used to relieve constipation and are intended for short-term use. However, many people can become dependent on the frequent use of laxatives to evacuate a stool....

Learn more about 'Use laxatives frequently'.

Less than 1 elimination a day

Stagnant stool sitting in the digestive tract may begin to putrefy, releasing irritating toxins. Moving the bowels flushes the toxicity. Mild or intermittent constipation can cause a buildup of toxins, making you anxious or emotionally unstable....

Learn more about 'Less than 1 elimination a day'.

1-2 bowel movements a day

1-2 bowel movements a day is ideal. Stool should be like a banana in size, shape, and consistency with a medium brown color. The surface should be smooth but not slimy.

Learn more about '1-2 bowel movements a day'.

3+ bowel movements a day

Unless a person eats a large amount of fiber, Ayurveda suggests that normally a person will have 1-2 bowel movements per day. 3 or more bowel movements per day could be a sign of malabsorption of nutrients from food resulting from weak digestion....

Learn more about '3+ bowel movements a day'.

Diarrhea

Common Causes of Diarrhea Inflamed, irritated intestines due to: Infection by parasites (i.e. E coli, Amoeba, Giardia, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, Arbocvirus, Norwalk, etc.) ...

Learn more about 'Diarrhea'.

Diarrhea when stressed

Diarrhea quickly after eating

Diarrhea is a serious condition that should be reviewed by a medical doctor. Diarrhea quickly after eating may imply irritation in the intestines, an overactive gastro-colic reflex, or IBS.

Learn more about 'Diarrhea quickly after eating'.

Alternating Diarrhea / Constipation

Alternating diarrhea and constipation is often simply constipation that eventually irritates the colon. Diarrhea dries out the colon, causing constipation. Constipation irritates the colon, causing diarrhea. This is symptomatic of 'low agni'...

Learn more about 'Alternating Diarrhea / Constipation'.

Voiding large quantity of stool

A well-formed long, lincoln log stool is a sign of a high fiber diet and often very healthy. Elimination more than once a day, or a larger quantity of softer stools can be a sign of fermentation (hot), or poor digestive function (cold). Soft stools...

Learn more about 'Voiding large quantity of stool'.

Explosive elimination

Gas and watery stools together make the elimination explosive. Explosive elimination is often a sign of both irritated and weakened intestines. It may be a sign of colic, or irritable bowel syndrome. This condition should be addressed as quickly as...

Learn more about 'Explosive elimination'.

Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence may result from weakness of the muscles in the rectum, rapid emptying of veins in the sphincter, or inflammation causing an acute urge to defecate. Ashwini mudra may help in weakness. reduce blood stagnation in blood stasis.

Learn more about 'Fecal Incontinence'.

Difficulty eliminating

Straining to eliminate

Straining could results from hard, dry stools (Vata). Or, inflammation of the intestines (Pitta) and lack of muscle tone in the terminal colon. Excess mucus could prevent elimination of stool (Kapha). Straining could cause prolapse of the rectum...

Learn more about 'Straining to eliminate'.

Frequent urge to defecate

The frequent urge to defecate is the repeated desire to pass a stool. The urge to pass a stool is a natural sensation, and signals it is time to evacuate feces. However, this urge can become excessive, abnormal, and even painful. Frequent urge...

Learn more about 'Frequent urge to defecate '.

Impacted Fecal Matter

A clean colon is the measure of health in Ayurveda. Ayurveda gives great importance to cleansing impacted fecal matter using laxatives or enema where appropriate. The impacted matter can be a source of toxicity and infection.

Learn more about 'Impacted Fecal Matter'.

Fullness below belly button

This symptom describes a feeling of fullness, bloating, or pressure in the center of the body below the belly button, often caused by stagnant decal matter in the lower GI (ileum or rectum). It is easiest to experience while belly breathing, or a...

Learn more about 'Fullness below belly button'.

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