Some patients are surprised to learn what your bowel movements say about your health.
![pencil thin stool pencil thin stool](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/oRwAAOSwGBJg7rxT/s-l500.jpg)
"The optimal consistency is like a banana," Vega says. Shape, color and consistency can - but don't always - matter. People who experience constipation or diarrhea for more than a week should visit the doctor both problems can signal a variety of conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, thyroid problems or even cancer. Constipation, Vega notes, does not necessarily mean that a person has an urge to go and can't (a common misconception) but that he or she doesn’t go frequently enough. People who fall outside the normal spectrum of frequency have either diarrhea - when bowel movements occur more frequently than normal and are often watery - or constipation. Abnormal frequency has a variety of causes. So if you experience changes in your bowel habits that last longer than a week or two, consult your doctor (particularly if you are older than 50, the age at which people begin to have a higher risk of developing digestive problems). "People may be within a normal range, but if they suddenly go from one extreme to the other or experience a change that’s not normal for them, that would be something worth investigating," he says. What’s important, Vega explains, is to know what's normal for you.
![pencil thin stool pencil thin stool](http://cdn.viralitytoday.com/posts/oIzaz/1ltz1pE7.jpg)
Normal frequency for bowel movements can range from three times a day to once every three days, depending on a person’s eating habits and other factors. Vega, MD, a primary care physician at Rush, discusses five things everyone should know about bowel health. With their variations in frequency, shape and accompanying symptoms, our bowel movements and stool offer clues about our health - as well as potential health problems.