What's going on with my digestive system?

July 31, 2008 8:57 PM

Why am I pooping SO MUCH all of a sudden? Diet, exercise, and general lifestyle have remained constant. Grossness inside.

Suddenly, I'm going several times a day rather than once a day or every other day (which is how it's been my entire adult life, with no ill effects). It seems healthy - solid, easy, flawless victory-friendly - but the sheer frequency/quantity is freaking me out. There has been no significant change in any area of my life - as always, my diet is mostly clean and whole-food focused with plenty of fiber, I get occasional to frequent exercise, I sleep a little less than I should, I'm moderately stressed out, I drink a lot of water and some booze, I take no medications. My weight has not changed. Clearly, though, something has changed pretty radically in the way I process food. I'd like to know:

1) What could cause this kind of shift?

and

2) What does it mean? Given that the input is the same, does it mean I'm processing less of what I'm taking in, or more? Less or more thoroughly? Should I be worried?

Very mysterious! Your body shouldn't just go changing things up on you like that. Anyone have some insight?

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (13 comments total)

I don't have insight but I would embrace it, particularly if you aren't leaving a load of afterbirth. If you have Angel dumps, then enjoy them.
posted by Frasermoo at 9:17 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]

Pooping is good. Cleanses the body. And there's nothing wrong with having a lot of poo. Just be sure not to clog the toilet ;)
posted by curagea at 9:36 PM on July 31, 2008

Are you sure you aren't under some stress? If you were an animal, and had no other changes, I would assume you were under stress.

Unless... have you started drinking a new energy drink or something? Some of those "all natural" plants can have dramatic effects.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 9:55 PM on July 31, 2008

Have you changed your meal freqency?

Cause if I skip breakfast, and eat a big meal every night, it's once a day. If I eat a regular breakfast, and even out my mid day and evening meals, it's twice.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 3:03 AM on August 1, 2008

If there truly is nothing different then I would take a serious look at the water your drinking, if it's tapwater take it to a lab to get it analyzed.
posted by Vindaloo at 6:25 AM on August 1, 2008

A little less sleep and moderate stress - is this since you started pooping more? Because I've found nothing keeps me chained to the throne more than stress. Everyone is different though, my stomach is my achilles heel when I'm stressed out.
posted by twistedonion at 6:29 AM on August 1, 2008

something has changed pretty radically in the way I process food

How old are you? If you're about thirty, give or take a few years, yeah, digestion just changes a bit. But bring it up with your doc next time you have a physical.
posted by desuetude at 7:10 AM on August 1, 2008

Have you recently taken antibiotics for any reason?
posted by hworth at 7:43 AM on August 1, 2008

Are you female? Could you be about to get your period?
posted by frecklefaerie at 7:46 AM on August 1, 2008

Are you drastically losing weight because of this? Like, more than a pound or two a week? If so, uh, doctor time.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:00 PM on August 1, 2008

Dysentery?

Crohn's disease or Colitis?

Watch out especially if you find yourself dropping pounds like crazy.
posted by mynameismandab at 10:49 PM on August 1, 2008

i know you said nothing has changed in your diet, but to be honest sometimes we overlook or don't always pay attention to the details, so i'm wondering ie how many calories, how many meals a day, etc,. and eating lots of fiber can only encourage more frequent bowel movements, esp with lots of water.
posted by learninguntilidie at 3:49 AM on August 2, 2008

Dysentery, Crohn's, and colitis all have one symptom in common: Pain. If there's no pain, there's probably no problem.

Nthing that you mention it to your doctor during your next physical. If you're really worried, make an appointment to see your doctor sooner about this one issue. But, my intuition tells me that you're fine.
posted by Citrus at 7:59 AM on August 4, 2008