Self-Check: The Straight Poop on Digestive Health

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By: Genevieve Cunningham

Digestive health is crucial to your overall well-being, yet it often flies under the radar. Unless something feels off, you might not think about your digestive system, but it significantly affects your energy levels, mood, and immune response. Your digestive system almost always works hard, breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. Any hiccup in this process can lead to discomfort, pain, and various health issues. Thankfully, you have the power to manage and maintain your digestive health with help from the pros and a solid at-home plan.

Your digestive system: A breakdown

Your digestive system is an intricate network of organs working together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and expel waste. Sure, you’re probably familiar with its basic functions, but how often do you stop considering the impact of even a small disruption?

The journey begins in your mouth, where food is mechanically broken down by chewing and chemically by saliva, which contains enzymes that start the digestion of carbohydrates. This is the first crucial step in ensuring your food is adequately prepared for the rest of the digestive process.

Next, your food travels down the esophagus, a muscular tube that moves it from your mouth to your stomach. Your stomach is often considered the star player in digestion. Here, acids and enzymes continue breaking down food into a form your body can further process. Proteins begin to unravel, and certain fats start to emulsify.

The partly digested food then moves into your small intestine, where the real magic happens. This is where most nutrients—vitamins, minerals, and amino acids—are absorbed into your bloodstream. A network of villi (tiny, finger-like projections) lines the walls of your small intestine, increasing its surface area to optimize absorption.

Finally, your large intestine (also known as your colon) absorbs water and salts from the remaining food matter, turning it into waste. This waste is stored in your rectum and eventually excreted through your anus during a bowel movement.

These organs are responsible for an essential process that keeps your body nourished, energized, and functioning properly. A breakdown at any stage can lead to discomfort, illness, or more serious long-term health problems.

Recognizing the warning signs of digestive distress

One key to maintaining digestive health is paying attention to signs that something may be off. Digestive disorders range from mild inconveniences like bloating and indigestion to more serious conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colon cancer, and diverticulitis. Recognizing early symptoms can help you address issues before they become chronic or severe.

Here are some common symptoms that may indicate digestive problems:

• Changes in bathroom habits: Your bowel movements should be regular. If you notice sudden or lasting changes in frequency, consistency, or color, this could signal an underlying issue. Chronic constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both should prompt a visit to your doctor.
• Bloating: Occasional bloating is normal, but chronic bloating can indicate food intolerance, bacterial overgrowth, or other digestive disorders. Don’t ignore it if it becomes frequent or painful.
• Abdominal Pain: Pain is your body's alarm system, signaling something isn’t right. If you experience sharp or persistent pain in your abdomen, don’t dismiss it—especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like bloating or changes in bowel habits.
• Fatigue: Poor digestion can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which can sap your energy. If you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, it’s worth considering whether digestive issues might be the cause.
• Food intolerances: Developing an intolerance to certain foods can lead to digestive complaints. While a food allergy might cause an immediate, life-threatening reaction, food intolerances can cause milder but chronic discomfort, such as bloating, cramps, and diarrhea.

Everyone’s digestive system is different, so symptoms may vary from person to person. The important thing is to listen to your body and seek medical advice if something feels off.

How to keep your digestive system healthy

There are many ways to support and keep your digestive system in optimal shape. Prevention goes a long way; many small, manageable habits can significantly impact.

• Eat a balanced diet: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber is essential because it helps move waste through your digestive system. A high-fiber diet can prevent constipation, reduce bloating, and improve overall gut health.
• Stay hydrated: Water is essential for every system in your body, but it’s vital for digestion. It helps break down food and keeps things moving smoothly through your intestines. Without enough water, constipation and sluggish digestion are likely to occur.
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity stimulates digestion and helps keep everything moving. Even light activity, like walking, can aid digestion and reduce the risk of constipation.
• Manage stress: Your gut is often called the "second brain" because it’s closely connected to your nervous system. Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your digestive health, leading to issues like acid reflux, IBS, or ulcers. Incorporating stress management techniques—whether it's deep breathing, meditation, or physical activity—can significantly improve your gut health.

Self-check your digestive system from the comfort of home

Monitoring your digestive health at home can provide early clues about potential problems. This proactive approach doesn’t require a medical degree—just some basic knowledge and awareness of your body.

• Track your bowel habits: Watch how often you go to the bathroom, the consistency of your stool, and any unusual changes. Stool consistency can tell you a lot about your gut health—hard stools may indicate constipation, while loose stools may indicate an infection or other issue.
• Be mindful of your diet: Food diaries are a great way to pinpoint potential food intolerances. If you start experiencing discomfort, remember what you’ve eaten over the last few days.
• Take at-home gut health tests: Over-the-counter gut health tests are now available. These tests can give you insight into your microbiome—the community of bacteria that lives in your gut—and help you identify imbalances that could affect digestion.
• Examine your stool: Though not the most glamorous part of digestive health, the color, consistency, and shape of your stool can provide important clues about your overall gut health. Use the Link Text as a reference and consult your doctor if you notice anything unusual.
  • Colors of stool: The stool color can vary widely and still fall within a healthy range. Ideally, healthy stools will be some shade of brown, but shades of green and yellow can also be regular. Warning colors include black and red, which may indicate bleeding in the digestive tract, and white or clay-colored stool, which may suggest a problem digesting bile.
  • Shape of stool: The shape of your stool can reveal what’s happening inside your body. According to the Bristol Stool Chart, the normal, healthy stool is typically sausage-shaped, smooth, and soft. It can vary slightly, sometimes appearing dry with cracks on the surface. If your stool is very hard or pebble-like, it may indicate constipation. Conversely, loose and watery stools could suggest illness. Any mucus or blood in the stool or toilet paper should be discussed with your doctor.

The most important thing you can do? Get to know your body, pay attention, and get regular checkups. These small habits can go a long way toward keeping you healthy.

The role of chiropractic care in digestive health

One often overlooked tool in improving your digestive health is chiropractic care. It may sound unrelated, but your central nervous system, which is regulated by your spine, plays a significant role in the functioning of your digestive system. Misalignments in your spine can lead to nerve interference, disrupting communication between your brain and digestive organs. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help relieve this interference, allowing your body to function more efficiently and potentially improving your digestive health.

The local chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic are trained to identify and correct spinal misalignments that may contribute to your digestive problems. Combined with proper self-care and monitoring, chiropractic adjustments can be a valuable part of a holistic approach to your digestive wellness.

With the proper knowledge, habits, and professional support, you can keep your digestive system healthy, which will support your overall well-being.

The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this page, is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise, and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician, or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.