Updated 17:48 8 Sep 2024 GMT+1Published 17:45 8 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Gut expert warns that you need to visit a doctor if your stool has a specific appearance
Dr Will Bulsiewicz explained that there is a certain scale for how poo should look
Britt Jones
The way you poo can have major implications on your heath, and it can also tell you whether or not you need to visit the doctors and get checked out.
Pooing, we all do it, but how it looks is one of the most important factors.
While you might think you’re doing a pretty good job as long as it’s not liquid or rock-hard constipation which leaves you struggling for an hour, you might be wrong.
That’s because as well as the texture, there’s a lot to do with the colour of it too and how often you go.
Recently, speaking on The Diary Of A CEO podcast, the director of Zoe, and a gut health expert, Dr Will Bulsiewicz spoke about your poo.
Dr Will Bulsiewicz explained what to look out for (YouTube/The Diary of a CEO)He explained that there was once a study conducted in the 90s in Bristol, which polled thousands of people to see what texture their poo is.
The list ranged from the most ideal type of poo to the worst with seven options a person could have.
He began listing from number 1 to 7 - with types 2, 3 and 4 considered healthy.
Type 1
Separate hard lumps which could be down to your fibre intake.
This poo is very constipated and can also come in the form of one giant ball.
Type 2
This is a lumpy and sausage-like poo which isn’t ideal either and means you’re slightly constipated.
This chart is very handy so you can see what your poo needs to look like. (Getty Stock Images)Type 3
This one is a sausage shape with cracks in the surface, which is no big deal, with Will explaining that all it takes is a little bit of ‘fibre, hydration and exercise’ to get you where you need to be.
Then there’s the best poo you could ever hope for.
Type 4
This is a smooth and well-formed sausage which will leave you walking out of the bathroom like a champion.
Type 5
This type of poop is a little different, as it’s soft blobs. No big deal, sometimes it happens, you just need more fibre.
This is where we get to the nasty stage, and it shows inflammation.
Type 6
This mushy glob isn’t what you want to see, and it could mean your gut is in trouble.
Type 7
The next is pure liquid, signalling that something is wrong with your gut.
Now, all of this can fluctuate and it’s not necessarily something you need to see a healthcare professional about, unless you spot blood.
Dr Will Bulsiewicz explained the thing that means you're in danger. (YouTube/ Dairy of a CEO)When asked about the colours of poo, which can range from white if you have no bile, yellow if you eat too much fat, and green if you have an infection.
Red came out as one of the most dangerous.
To Will, red means blood, and as colon cancer is rapidly becoming a killer of younger generations, getting yourself checked if you see red is essential.
Another colour to have checked out is black, as this could mean you have a GI bleed into your stomach.
As well as its black look, it’ll also smell awful and is highly noticeable that something is off.
Thankfully, if you’re just dealing with some texture issues with your poo, you need to focus on healing your gut.
Now, this could be though gut-friendly foods such as kefir, kimchi, yogurt, whole wheat and grains and plenty of plant-based foods.
Or, using Zoe, the Blue Muffin poo study creator lets you know what’s going on inside of your gut, simply by eating a little muffin and reporting your poo.Featured Image Credit: Youtube/Diary of a CEO and Getty stock
Topics: Health, News
Britt Jones
Updated 11:43 4 Sep 2024 GMT+1Published 10:02 4 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Expert warns people of the seven major 'red flag' traits of a narcissist you should look out for
BACP counsellor and narcissism expert Margaret Ward-Martin revealed what warning signs to look out for
Olivia Burke
Although you might be wondering why it took so long to realise when the penny finally drops, working out whether someone is a narcissist or not can be quite a tricky task.
Picking apart the behaviour of a relative, friend, or romantic partner isn't exactly the most attractive activity, but it's a necessary evil if you want to protect yourself.
But hopefully, these seven major red flag traits explained by an expert on the subject will help you spot whether you've got a narcissist in your midst.
BACP counsellor Margaret Ward-Martin warned that keeping someone like this in your circle could ultimately cost you your 'sanity and even your life', so giving them the boot will be a great benefit.
The expert warned that sticking by a narcissist doesn't usually end well (Getty Stock Images)"Narcissists erode a person so that they no longer recognise themselves; victims may become depressed and mentally and physically ill, often resorting to drugs, alcohol, disordered eating and similar, to cope," she told Metro.
"They do not have a conscience, so the best thing to do is to cut your losses and ties, where possible, and rebuild."
This is why she has urged people to take 'heed of the early signs' of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) when they show up, explaining you will only suffer 'much more damage' in the long run while also wasting your time.
So if you're concerned that someone might be a narcissist, take a look at these warning signs the therapist says you need to be on alert for.
Shifting the blame
If someone refuses to take responsibility for their mistakes and manages to pin the blame on everyone else for their problems, Margaret reckons it's a major red flag.
She explained that narcissists typically leave 'a trail of destruction' in their wake and tend to adopt a victim mentality about what has happened in their life, rather than being accountable for their own actions.
The founder of The Grace Project said: "They may volunteer that they are flawed because of trauma and neglect and as a result did things they are not proud of.
"And, while some of this may be true, it is smoke and mirrors."
Blindly loyal supporters
Narcissists might not be nice people to be around, but they tend to be surrounded by a posse of loyal followers who they have managed to manipulate.
As people with the mental health condition crave attention and admiration, they keep those who they have convinced to serve their needs close by - however, you shouldn't feel too bad if you've been conned into this.
Margaret believes 'everyone can be hoodwinked by a narcissist', especially if they hold an important place in your life.
She explained it is often 'simpler to ignore the facts and believe the narcissist’s version of events' for a lot of people.
So, if you notice that a certain someone is always in the company of people who 'actively protect and advocate' for them - even when they are in the wrong - it could be a sign they are a narcissist.
Saying what you want to hear
The counsellor explained that narcissists are pretty nifty at painting themselves in a different light, so their behaviour can often go from one extreme to another.
"Part of the alchemy of a narcissistic relationship or environment is that as you feel something is not right, you will be love-bombed or publicly congratulated or acknowledged," Margaret noted. "This can be very destabilising."
At the end of the day, they're not daft - and as the expert points out, 'the quicker they can gain access to your life, family, bank account, apartment, the earlier they can drop the act'.
She added: "Narcissists read enough about how to be spotted in order that they get ahead of the game, so they may say they themselves have been narcissistically abused and feign empathy and remorse – all the things they know you want to hear."
Narcissists want to isolate you and often stir the pot to create a distance between you and your loved ones (Getty Stock Images)Stirring the pot
If someone seems to always be stirring up trouble, beware - as you could have a narcissist on your hands.
Margaret explained that these people will often pit you against others with the goal of isolating you from your nearest and dearest, subsequently making them the most important person in your life.
The counsellor warned people to be wary if you notice that a person makes comments 'about others to influence how you treat them', which will inevitably create a distance between you and your loved ones.
"For example, they might say that their brother doesn’t like you and thinks you’re a gold digger," Margaret continued.
"This is so you will be wary of the brother and not have any meaningful connection."
Bending the truth
If telling fibs comes a bit too easy to someone, it could be a huge sign that they are a narcissist.
We've all told a few white lies in life, but honesty is the best policy - and if someone can spit out a cock and bull story at the drop of the hat or sell you a fantasy, it might be time to show them the door.
Obviously, determining whether they are deceiving you can be quite difficult, but once you get to the bottom of it, Margaret believes it should be a case of one strike and they're out.
She reckons their lies will only grow bigger and bolder, so there's no point in wasting your time.
"They are brilliant imitators of a decent person. But eventually, you will catch them out," the counsellor added.
They are often very image-based (Getty stock photo)Control
People with narcissistic personality disorder have plenty of tricks up their sleeve to keep their power over you, ranging from love-bombing to gaslighting.
Margaret believes that for most of them, there isn't such thing as going too far - so their tactics can be very troublesome.
"They may become aggressive or violent, or sulk and guilt trip you," she explained.
Whether they opt for flattery or inducing fear, narcissists will do pretty much anything to continue exercising control over you, so it's best to head for the nearest exit if you pick up on a person displaying this behaviour.
Creating a facade
It's not exactly unusual to adapt your behaviour when you're in front of different audiences, but if a person is obsessed with playing up to the crowd, there could be a bigger problem at play.
Margaret explained that narcissists are 'obsessed with image' and will only allow their mask to slip when certain people are around - but otherwise, it's all for show.
The counsellor said: "When no one else - or no one considered important enough - is watching, they begin to reveal their true self.
"Make note of how they treat junior staff – do they greet, acknowledge, and enquire after them when equal or senior colleagues aren’t there to see? Do they speak to you in private in a way they would never in front of an audience?"
Only you know what goes on behind closed doors - but if you relate to the contents of this article a bit too much, it sounds like you've got a narcissist in your life that you need to get rid of.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Health, Mental Health, News
Olivia Burke
Published 20:51 14 Sep 2023 GMT+1
Doctor warns why you shouldn't use non-stick pans if they've been scratched
A doctor has taken to TikTok to warn against using certain pots and pans when cooking.
Poppy Bilderbeck
A doctor has taken to TikTok to warn against using certain pots and pans when cooking.
If you've held onto the cooking equipment you used to use while at university, congratulations. Most of our household's pots and pans got so mouldy they had to be binned, were lost in a house party when there were no glasses left and a pot had to be used for a vodka coke, or were chucked when we realised we had so much junk to cart around when we moved accommodations that our beloved baked beans pot had to go.
Although, the likelihood is that your pots and pans are probably a bit battered, scratched and broken if you've had them since uni - and if the lingering bacteria from student accommodation hasn't made you ill already, Dr Poonam Desai has taken to TikTok to raise awareness of something else that might instead. Catch the science lesson here:
Dr Desai explains that, as a doctor, there are certain cooking pans she avoids using.
In a recent TikTok video, she explained: "And those are non-stick pans that have been scratched or chipped because they can leech millions of microplastics into our food.
"And microplastics are endocrine disruptors. They can cause hormone imbalances, fertility issues, and even increase our risk of cancer."
And that's not the only type of pan Dr Desai steers clear of either.
TikTok/ @doctoranddancerDr Desai also avoids using 'ceramic pans that are scratched'.
"Ceramic plans usually have a layer of aluminum under it and aluminum can leech into our foods," she says.
So, for the TikToker, if she has any non-stick or ceramic pans and they end up scratched or chipped she 'usually' ends up throwing them out.
TikTok/ @doctoranddancerIndeed, according to Healthline, non-stick cookware gets 'coated with a material called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or more commonly known as Teflon [...] made up of carbon and fluorine atoms'.
The health information site continues: "However, over the past decade, the safety of nonstick cookware has been under investigation.
"The concerns have centered on a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was previously used to produce nonstick cookware but isn’t used today. The investigations have also looked into the risks associated with overheating [PTFE]."
While PFOA hasn't been used in the production of non-stick cookware since 2013, if you have a hand-me down it may remain, and either way, it's probably best to throw away any non-stick item if it gets scratched.
Healthline resolves: "Avoid cooking on a high heat [...] [And] When Teflon coatings start to visibly deteriorate with excessive scratches, peeling, flaking, and chipping, they are ready to be replaced."Featured Image Credit: TikTok / @doctoranddancer/ Getty Stock Photo
Topics: Health, TikTok, Social Media
Poppy Bilderbeck
Published 16:35 13 Apr 2024 GMT+1
Expert reveals you’ll lose your senses in a specific order when you’re about to die
This is, of course, assuming you don't go very quickly in a sudden and surprise manner.
Joe Harker
It may be a morbid subject, but the phrase 'morbid fascination' exists for a reason.
When at last we die, our bodies go through certain processes before the end, and one of those is winding down support to our functions and senses.
Palliative care specialist Dr. James Hallenbeck of Stanford University explained in his book Palliative Care Perspectives that with modern medicine keeping people alive longer, something called 'active dying' kicks in.
Apparently, your body will start to shut down in a specific order, which goes as follows...
As a person dies their body begins to shut down, and this happens in a specific order. (Getty Stock Photo)Appetite
The expert says the first thing to go is the appetite.
As the body shuts down, it requires fewer nutrients than before, so a loss of appetite and a lack of thirst can be experienced.
Speech
Speech is the next function to go as the body slows down and conversing becomes more difficult.
This matches what a palliative care nurse said of the process of dying, where she said that the human body is 'built to die' and would help a person through the process in order to minimise pain.
Vision
After speech there can be a loss of vision, though again palliative care nurse Julie McFadden said that sometimes people who couldn't see much of what was around them could instead see loved ones or old pets who had already died.
She also said that in some cases in their final days a person might experience 'the rally' where they appear to improve significantly and 'act like their old selves' before dying, which can be distressing to relatives who thought their loved one was getting better.
McFadden said it happened to around a third of patients at her hospice and staff tried to make sure relatives knew it could happen so they wouldn't be devastated.
Studies indicate that hearing really is the final sense to go. (Getty Stock Photo)Hearing and touch
The final senses to go, according to Dr. Hallenbeck, are 'hearing and touch', as even in a person's last moments when they appear unresponsive, they can still perceive the world around them in some ways.
Once touch has gone hearing is the last sense to go, and according to a 2020 study some people are able to hear things until their very final moments.
They studied 'actively dying hospice patients' and found that most unresponsive patients still had a reaction to changes in tones of sounds they heard.
They found that the hearing reactions of unresponsive patients were similar to those in younger and healthier people, so the idea that 'hearing is the last sense to go' appears to be true.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Health
Updated 13:26 20 Jun 2024 GMT+1Published 13:21 20 Jun 2024 GMT+1
Gut scientist warns people they should ‘see someone’ if their poo looks a certain way
You can tell a lot about your health by examining your poo
Joe Harker
Buckle up gang, it's time to add a new step into your rectum-releasing-routine as a gut scientist has said that the appearance of your poo could give you a certain insight into your health.
Where once your toilet timetable was dump, wipe, flush and wash hands, now there's another step involved before you push that button and wash your turds away.
Dr Will Bulsiewicz appeared on the Diary of a CEO podcast earlier this year to talk about the facts our faeces can provide.
Not to say that Gillian McKeith was onto something, but the gut scientist said that he could tell a lot about a person from what fell out of their backside, and explained to people what their poo was trying to tell them.
He spoke of the Bristol Stool Scale, a chart you've possibly seen at some point in your life, which runs through the different types of poo you'll do in your lifetime.
This is the Bristol Stool Scale, which shows what your poo has to say about your health. (Dr Kenneth Heaton)The doc explained that if you wanted to examine the contents of your toilet then the ideal number two to do was actually a 'type four', though three and five also had some merit to them as well.
However, if your s**t is coming out hard and lumpy that points towards you being constipated, according to the gut scientist, while if it was mushy or just coming out as liquid then it meant you had an inflamed gut and possibly diarrhoea.
Explaining that the average person drops bottom bombs '1.7 times a day', Dr Bulsiewicz said that the type four was 'the dream'.
"The Bristol four is the classic where I come walking out of the bathroom in slow motion and rock music is jamming, and doves are flying in slow motion," he explained.
"And I'm just such a stud, so that's after a Bristol four. My wife knows what happens when it's come out looking like that."
The doc brought in some visual aids to help you understand what you were looking at. Four is ideal, three and five are alright, the rest are a problem. (YouTube/DiaryOfACEO)However, the gut scientist said that it was far more worrying if you were getting to either end of the scale, saying that the worst of constipation would develop poo 'like a golf ball' that you'd have trouble getting out of you.
Of course that's evidence of constipation so you may be thinking 'no s**t, Sherlock', with particular emphasis on the first two words.
The doc also stressed that if you were seeing colours in your poo then you should probably 'see someone', particularly if you gazed into your toilet bowl and saw red.
Play
He warned people 'don't assume' they knew what the reason might be, and suggested they should seek medical help instead of attempting to self-diagnose.
As for what you can do to have healthier droppings, Dr Bulsiewicz said getting more fibre in your diet and 'plant-based food intake' was the way to work your poo towards that mythical four.
To have healthy poo you should have 'legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables', while he noted that the diets of people having type one and type seven were actually quite similar, and both lacked fibre.
