If you don’t know what to look for, it can be hard to tell the difference between normal and abnormal. Different types of stools can change form based on what you’re eating or what’s going on in your life at the moment.
“Everyone’s bowel movements are different because they depend on what they eat, how active they are, how much water they drink, and the medicines they take,” said M. Nuri Kalkay, a retired gastroenterologist and health blogger. Advertisement.
Each person has a different idea of how often they should go to the bathroom and what a normal stool looks like for them. But what if things change and you notice something strange in the toilet? We talked to some experts to find out what kinds of bowel movements aren’t normal and might mean you need to see a doctor.
Taking a glance into the toilet bowl and noticing your poop resembles shredded beef can be alarming. This unusual stool texture often raises questions about what’s going on inside your gastrointestinal system.
While shredded poop may look concerning, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem There are a few possible reasons your poop can end up looking like minced meat scraps Let’s explore some causes of shredded stool and when to see a doctor.
What Causes Shredded Poop?
Several factors can cause poop to look shredded or appear in small, ragged pieces:
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Dietary changes – Eating more fibrous foods like vegetables, nuts and seeds, can add bulk and shred the stool. High fat diets may also cause poop to look stringy or fatty.
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Gastroenteritis – Stomach bugs, food poisoning and viral infections can inflame the GI tract. This speeds up transit time resulting in loose stool that looks ragged or shredded.
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IBD – Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis cause inflammation and ulcerations in the intestines which can make stool look shredded.
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Laxative abuse – Overuse of stimulant laxatives irritates the bowels, causing cramping and explosive diarrhea with a shredded appearance.
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Celiac disease – When people with celiac disease eat gluten, it damages the small intestine which leads to poor nutrient absorption and loose stools.
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Pancreatic insufficiency – Insufficient digestive enzymes lead to improperly broken down food, which manifests as greasy, foul-smelling poop with undigested bits.
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Colon cancer – Although rare, bloody stool with a ragged, shredded look could indicate a tumor growing in the colon or rectum.
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Anal fissures – Tears in the anus or anal canal can mix streaks of bright red blood into stool, giving it a shredded beef look.
When To See a Doctor
Occasional shredded stool isn’t necessarily cause for concern. Transitioning to a high fiber diet, for instance, could temporarily make your poop look stringy as your body adjusts. However, if you notice persistent changes in texture, consult your doctor.
See a physician promptly if your shredded poop is accompanied by these red flag symptoms:
- Blood or mucus
- Fever, chills or unexplained weight loss
- Severe diarrhea lasting over 48 hours
- Intense abdominal pain or cramping
Bringing a photo or sample of the abnormal stool to show your doctor can help with proper diagnosis. Diagnostic tests like a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), colonoscopy or CT scan may be ordered to check for infections, IBD, tumors or other problems.
Based on test results, your doctor will recommend appropriate treatment. This may include antidiarrheals, IV fluids, antibiotics, steroids, or surgery for conditions like cancer or chronic ulcerative colitis unresponsive to other therapies.
Tips for Improving Shredded Poop
If your doctor gives you the green light, try these remedies to improve shredded bowel movements:
Rehydrate – Drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids like coconut water to replenish fluids lost through loose stools. Broths can also help with sodium balance.
Adjust fiber intake – Temporarily cut back on high-fiber foods if stool seems overly loose. Then slowly reintroduce fiber foods to bulk stools without shredding them.
Eat probiotic foods – Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi contain probiotics to reduce GI inflammation and restore healthy gut flora.
Manage stress – Anxiety and stress can exacerbate GI issues. Try relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga and deep breathing.
Avoid trigger foods – If suspect foods like dairy, greasy fare or gluten cause diarrhea, eliminate them from your diet per your doctor’s guidance.
Take anti-diarrheals – Over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can help firm up loose stools.
Use witch hazel – Apply witch hazel pads or wipes to soothe irritation and inflammation of anal fissures. Keep the area clean to support healing.
Monitor your symptoms and avoid self-diagnosis. Work with your healthcare provider to uncover the root cause and find the right treatments to get your poop back to a healthy texture. With proper management, shredded stool usually resolves promptly.
Bright red blood in your stools
It’s possible that the blood is coming from the anal canal or a low rectal source if you see it in your stools, on the toilet paper, in the water, or in streaks.
“Things like internal hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal polyps or rectal cancers can all do this,” said Nelson. All of these are reasons to see a doctor.
If the color of your stools is this, they’re probably more liquid and have a strong, unpleasant smell. According to Nelson, this can indicate bleeding from the very end of the small bowel or the colon.
He said that this kind of presentation is usually caused by diverticulosis and arteriovenous malformations, which is why you should go to the emergency room. Advertisement.
Mucus in the stool
This is usually due to inflammation of the intestines, said Peyton Berookim, a gastroenterologist in Los Angeles. He noted that the condition can be seen in inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s. It can also be due to inflammation caused by a bacterial infection or IBS.
“Mucus associated with blood and or abdominal pain should not be ignored and requires medical attention,” he explained.
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FAQ
Why does my poop look shredded?
Why does my poop look torn apart?
Why does my poop look ragged?
What does diverticulitis poop look like?
Why does my poop change color?
Any poop color change that can’t be tied to your diet is a reason to call your healthcare provider. Bile salts in the intestines give stool its usual brown color. If your poop color is light (either pale, white, grey, or clay-colored), there could be a lack of bile in the stool.
Why does my poop look mushy?
The cause of these insufficiencies include: Stool that looks fluffy or mushy and has ragged edges may be an early sign of diarrhea or it may indicate that you have excess fat in your stool. If you have poop that looks this way and it doesn’t resolve after a few days, it could mean your body isn’t absorbing nutrients the way it should be.
Why should I look at my stool after poop?
One of the reasons it’s important to look at your stool after you poop is to know what your normal is. “Some people run at a Type 2 or Type 5 their whole life. They don’t necessarily need to get an evaluation from their doctor to see if something is wrong,” Dr. Wolf says.
Why is my poop Brown?
Bile salts in the intestines give stool its usual brown color. If your poop color is light (either pale, white, grey, or clay-colored), there could be a lack of bile in the stool. A blockage of the bile ducts from gallstones, or a condition affecting your gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, can cause decreased bile output.