What Your Poop Says About Your Health | Mayo Clinic Health Matters Podcast

Welcome to Health Matters, a podcast from Mayo Clinic. In this episode, host Kristen Meinzer talks about something everyone does — but few people discuss: poop. Dr. Xiao Jing Iris Wang, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist in Rochester, Minnesota, explains what “normal” stool can look like and when changes may signal a problem. You’ll learn how to assess poop color, shape, and consistency, what the Bristol Stool Form Scale means, and why regularity matters more than going every day. We also cover practical, evidence-based tips for constipation relief and diarrhea treatment, including when home remedies may help and when it’s time to talk to a clinician. In this episode • What poop is and why you can still have bowel movements even if you’re not eating much • Poop color warnings: bright red blood, black tarry stool, and pale/gray stool • What “healthy” stool consistency looks like — and why straining isn’t normal • Constipation basics: hydration, fiber, and fruits like kiwi and prunes • Over-the-counter options: stool softeners, osmotic laxatives, and stimulant laxatives • Diarrhea: common causes, hydration risks, and when to seek care • Proper pooping posture: footstool positioning, breathing, and avoiding long toilet sits • The pelvic floor’s role in bowel movements and why it matters When to seek medical care Talk to a health care professional if you notice blood, persistent symptoms, major changes from your usual pattern, severe bloating, trouble eating, or signs of dehydration. More episodes and resources: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcas... Leave a voicemail with a question or topic idea: (507) 538-6272 Learn more about Dr. Wang’s book, “Boo Can’t Poo,” in the show notes. Subscribe for more Mayo Clinic health guidance, and if this episode helped, please rate and review to help others find the show. 00:00 Health Matters intro + episode setup 00:24 Why we don’t talk about poop 00:01:28 What poop actually is 00:02:33 How to tell if it’s healthy 00:02:40 Poop color: what’s concerning 00:03:44 Shape, consistency, and straining 00:06:27 Does poop smell mean anything? 00:07:07 How often should you poop? 00:08:22 Timing, coffee, and bathroom routines 00:10:53 Transition: constipation and diarrhea 00:11:16 Constipation: definition and stool types 00:11:45 Common causes: water, stress, travel 00:14:09 Pelvic floor dysfunction explained 00:15:10 First fixes: hydration + fiber fruits 00:16:13 OTC options: stool softeners and laxatives 00:20:08 When to use meds preventatively 00:22:24 Suppositories vs enemas (when helpful) 00:25:22 When to see a doctor 00:26:16 Diarrhea: home remedies and fiber 00:28:07 When diarrhea is more serious 00:30:02 Infections, food poisoning, and antibiotics caution 00:33:42 The right way to poop (no straining) 00:36:54 Footstools, posture, and pelvic relaxation 00:38:41 Don’t sit too long—listen to urges 00:39:40 Mind-body tools: hypnotherapy, VR, mindfulness 00:43:10 Boo Can’t Poo + normalizing the topic 00:45:02 Ideal poop session recap 00:46:04 Outro + voicemail and resources From Mayo Clinic to your inbox, sign-up for free: https://mayocl.in/3e71zfi Visit Mayo Clinic: https://mayocl.in/2COVmlm Like Mayo Clinic on Facebook:   / mayoclinic   Follow Mayo Clinic on Instagram:   / mayoclinic   Follow Mayo Clinic on X, formerly Twitter: https://x.com/MayoClinic Follow Mayo Clinic on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mayoclinic