By Erica Hartley – Advanced Colonic Hydrotherapist
Colon Clinic – A New U | Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Let’s talk about something we all do, but many people still don’t like talking about…
Poo!
One of the questions I regularly get asked in my Colon Clinic is:
“How often should I actually be going to the toilet?”
Some people worry if they don’t open their bowels every day. Others tell me they only go two or three times a week and have always assumed that’s completely normal for them.
The reality is that there isn’t one perfect number that applies to everybody.
A generally recognised healthy range can be anywhere from three bowel movements a day to three bowel movements a week.
But frequency is only part of the story.
After more than 14 years working as an Advanced Colonic Hydrotherapist, I always encourage people to look at the bigger picture.
How easily are you going? What does your poo look like? Are you straining? Do you feel completely empty afterwards? Has your normal pattern suddenly changed?
Your bowel habits can tell you a lot.
So, How Often Should You Poo?
For some people, opening their bowels every morning is completely normal.
Someone else might naturally go every other day.
A healthy bowel pattern can vary considerably from one person to another, and bowel frequency of between three times per day and three times per week can fall within the normal range.
What’s important is understanding what’s normal for you.
A healthy bowel movement should ideally be soft, formed and relatively easy to pass without excessive straining, pain or a persistent feeling that you haven’t emptied properly.
So don’t become obsessed with achieving a bowel movement every single day just because you’ve been told that’s what you “should” do.
You Can Poo Every Day and Still Feel Constipated
This often surprises people.
I’ll ask a client whether they suffer from constipation and they’ll immediately say:
“No, I go every day!”
Then we talk a little more.
They may be sitting on the toilet for 20 minutes.
They might have to strain.
They might only pass small, hard stools.
Or they may finish, stand up and still feel as though there’s more there.
Constipation isn’t simply about how many days you go without having a bowel movement.
Signs can include:
– Going less frequently than is normal for you
– Hard, dry or lumpy stools
– Straining
– Pain or discomfort when passing a stool
– Feeling bloated
– Feeling that you haven’t completely emptied your bowel
So instead of only asking “How often do I poo?”, start asking “How well am I pooing?”
What Should Healthy Poo Look Like?
Yes, I’m encouraging you to look before you flush!
Your poo can give you useful information about what’s happening with your digestive system.
The Bristol Stool Chart categorises stools into seven different types.
Very hard, separate lumps can be associated with constipation, whereas very loose or watery stools are at the opposite end of the scale.
Ideally, we’re looking for a stool that’s formed, soft and easy to pass.
You shouldn’t regularly have to sit on the toilet straining and pushing.
And please don’t take your phone into the bathroom and spend half an hour scrolling through social media while you’re waiting for something to happen!
Your toilet isn’t supposed to be an office.
Are You Drinking Enough Water?
Hydration is one of the first things I discuss with many of my clients.
Your large bowel absorbs water, so if you’re not drinking enough, your stools can become harder and more difficult to pass.
I generally encourage my clients to aim for around 2 litres of water throughout the day, although individual requirements vary.
Rather than drinking huge quantities at once, keep yourself hydrated steadily throughout the day.
Your urine colour can also give you a simple indication of hydration – ideally, it should generally be a pale straw colour.
Fibre Matters – But More Isn’t Always Better
We’re constantly told to eat more fibre, and fibre certainly plays an important role in bowel health.
Fruit, vegetables, oats, whole grains, seeds and other plant foods can all contribute to your fibre intake.
However, suddenly dramatically increasing fibre isn’t necessarily the answer for everybody.
For someone who’s already very constipated or bloated, piling lots more fibre into their diet without sufficient fluid may actually leave them feeling more uncomfortable.
Introduce changes gradually and pay attention to how your body responds.
Stop Ignoring the Urge to Poo!
We’ve probably all done it.
You’re at work.
You’re shopping.
You’re at somebody else’s house.
Or perhaps you’re simply too busy.
Your body says, “It’s time to go,” and you reply, “Not now!”
Repeatedly ignoring the urge to open your bowels can contribute to constipation.
When your body gives you the signal, try to listen to it.
Creating a regular toilet routine can also be really helpful.
Change Your Toilet Position
How you sit on the toilet matters too.
Modern toilets put us into quite an upright position, which isn’t necessarily the easiest position for emptying the bowel.
Try placing your feet on a small toilet stool so your knees are higher than your hips, leaning slightly forward and allowing your abdomen to relax.
It’s such a simple change, but it can make going to the toilet much easier for some people.
Movement Helps Your Bowels Move
Your bowel likes movement.
If you spend most of your day sitting at a desk, in a car or on the sofa, your digestive system may become more sluggish too.
You don’t need to spend hours in the gym.
Walking, stretching and simply being more active throughout your day can help support regular bowel function.
Even a daily walk can make a difference.
Stress Can Affect Your Bowel Habits
There’s a powerful relationship between your brain and your gut.
Have you ever become nervous and suddenly needed the toilet?
Or gone through a stressful period and become constipated?
Stress can affect people differently. For some it speeds everything up; for others it seems to slow everything down.
That’s why looking after your digestive health isn’t only about what you eat.
Sleep, movement, hydration, stress and your everyday routine all matter.
What If I Never Feel Completely Empty?
This is another thing I hear frequently in clinic.
You may open your bowels but still feel like you haven’t completely finished.
Sometimes this can be associated with constipation, stool consistency or the way the muscles involved in bowel emptying are working.
If this happens regularly, don’t simply accept it as normal.
And if there’s been a significant change from your usual bowel habits, speak to your GP.
When Should a Change in Your Bowel Habits Be Checked?
This is really important.
You know your own body.
If your bowel habits suddenly change and there’s no obvious reason, don’t ignore it.
You should seek medical advice if you experience symptoms such as:
– A persistent or sudden change in your normal bowel habits
– Blood in your poo or bleeding from your bottom
– Unexplained weight loss
– Persistent abdominal pain
– Regular or persistent bloating
– Constipation that isn’t improving
– Ongoing diarrhoea
– Unusual tiredness alongside bowel changes
Most digestive symptoms won’t turn out to be anything serious, but changes deserve investigating rather than assuming they’re “just your gut”.
Where Does Colonic Hydrotherapy Fit In?
People come to see me at Colon Clinic – A New U in Sheffield for many different reasons, including constipation, bloating and feeling sluggish.
Before any Colonic Hydrotherapy treatment, we have a full consultation.
We discuss your medical history, medications, bowel habits, diet, hydration and what you’ve been experiencing.
If something you tell me needs investigating medically, I’ll always advise you to speak to your GP rather than simply proceeding with a treatment.
For suitable clients, my approach to Colonic Hydrotherapy is gentle and client-led.
I use a closed system, and treatments are carried out professionally in accordance with RICTAT National Occupational Standards.
For some clients I may suggest an initial course of treatments relatively close together, followed by occasional maintenance, but there is never a one-size-fits-all plan.
Every bowel – and every person – is different.
Get to Know Your Own Normal
If there’s one thing I’d like you to take away from this blog, it’s this:
Don’t compare your poo routine with somebody else’s.
You don’t necessarily need to poo every morning at 7am to have a healthy bowel.
Instead, start paying attention to your own body.
Is your bowel pattern regular for you?
Are your stools soft and formed?
Can you go without excessive straining?
Do you feel properly empty afterwards?
Are you drinking enough?
Are you moving your body?
And most importantly, has anything changed?
We spend so much time talking about what we eat, yet we rarely talk about what happens at the other end.
After more than 14 years working with bowels, I can assure you – there’s absolutely nothing embarrassing about talking about poo!
The more comfortable we become discussing our bowel habits, the better equipped we are to recognise when something isn’t quite right.
Want to Find Out More About Colonic Hydrotherapy?
Erica Hartley
Advanced Colonic Hydrotherapist
Colon Clinic – A New U
Chapeltown, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Tel: 07841 474988
Email: erica@colonclinic.co.uk
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