As a baby, our parents, health professionals and the general public are all interested in our “number 2’s”.  How often does he/she go?  What colour is it?  Does he/she have wind?  We laugh at the ‘poo face’ and sympathesise with a baby screaming with wind pain.

What about now we’re adults?  Do you take note of your “number 2’s”?  How often do you go?  Do you get wind pain, bloating, gurgling or rumbling, cramping, feel uncomfortable or have a changeable bowel pattern?

A normal faecation pattern is considered opening of the bowels every 1-3 days up to 3 times per day.  Under this is considered constipation and over this is considered chronic diarrhea.  Constipation may also be termed for those who strain to defecate, have hard or dry stools or a sense of incomplete emptying at the cessation of a poo.

What are the causes of constipation?  Inadequate fibre can be a cause but more often inadequate fluid is to blame.  Make sure you drink 2 litres of fluids per day with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grain breads & cereals and a few nuts & seeds.

If you think you’re bowel habit isn’t up to scratch – ask your Eat Smart Dietitian for a bowel habit assessment today!

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