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About the Bristol Stool Chart
The Bristol Stool Chart is a simple tool that shows seven types of faeces (poo), from hard lumps to watery faeces.
Note: Stool is another word used to describe faeces (poo).
The chart helps people:
- understand what’s normal for them
- recognise signs of constipation or diarrhoea
- track changes related to diet, fluids, medicines or lifestyle.
Bristol Stool Chart for adults
Faeces (poo) types
Types 1–2: constipation
Types 3–4: healthy and easy to pass
Types 5–7: diarrhoea or urgency.
Everyone’s bowel habits are different, but healthy faeces (poo) should be soft, well-formed and easy to pass – like types 3 and 4.
Distributed with the kind permission of Dr K. W. Heaton; formerly reader in Medicine at the University of Bristol. Reproduced as a service to the medical profession by Norgine Ltd. ©2017 Norgine group of companies.
Reference: Heaton, K W & Lewis, S J 1997, ‘Stool form scale as a useful guide to intestinal transit time’. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, vol.32, no.9, pp.920 – 924.
Understanding bowel control issues is a first step to taking action. Your GP (doctor) or nurse continence specialist can help with advice about diet, exercises, medicine or specialist care.
Resources
Resources you can download. Some are available to order in print format.
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