Bristol Stool Scale

According to the Bristol Stool Scale, which is the Bristol chair shape scale, bowel movements are classified into different types according to their shape and texture. It is intended to serve as a diagnostic tool for estimating how long it takes for food to pass from the time of ingestion to the time of excretion. Seven types of stools are distinguished:

Type 1 is the type of stool that requires the longest passage time through the intestine (up to 100 hours) and is then difficult to excrete.
From its appearance it appears about the size of a hazelnut and lumpy.
Type 2 is also lumpy, but takes already rather a sausage-like form. Type 1 and 2 indicate a possible constipation.
The third type appears sausage-like with cracks on the surface.
Type 4 is sausage- or snake-like, soft in consistency and smooth on the surface.
Types 3 and 4 are considered to be the ideal types of stool because they are easy to excrete and do not rob the body of much fluid.
Type 5 appears as single soft chair lumps with a smooth edge. They are not difficult to excrete.
Type 6 can be described as flaky pieces with an uneven edge or as mushy.
Types 5 and 6 tend towards diarrhea.
Type 7 is aqueous. There are no solid components, the stool is completely liquid. Type 7 is also defined as diarrhea.

What is the normal frequency of bowel movements?

The frequency of bowel movements varies greatly from person to person. Up to three times a day can be normal for someone. More than three bowel movements a day can be considered diarrhea.

But even if someone only has bowel movements every three days, this is completely within the normal range. These big differences can be caused by different diets, for example. Fibre-rich food stimulates the bowel movement, so that one must visit the quiet place more often. If you defecate less than three times a week, you suffer from constipation.