Tracking your bowel movements

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Click here if you support someone

Your bowel health can change quickly for a number of reasons and anyone can become constipated at any time in their life. It is important to track bowel movements and understand what is normal for you or the person you are supporting.

This page will give you some information about what to keep track of.

If you support someone click the button at the top of the page for more bespoke information.

The Bristol Stool Chart

Use the Bristol Stool Chart to help determine your intestinal and bowel health, the harder a poo the longer it has been in the colon and the harder it will be to pass.

Click the picture of the Bristol Stool Chart below to download a copy.

Each type of stool means…

  • Types 1 and 2 can indicate constipation.
  • Types 3 and 4 are the easiest to pass.
  • Types 5 and 6 may indicate diarrhoea.
  • Type 7 may be a sign of illness, for example, food poisoning.

Any significant changes to your bowel movements or any concerns over your health and well-being should be reported to your GP. You should call 111 if you believe you need immediate help or 999 in an emergency.

Click here to download the Bowel Management Record

Log routines and habits

Keeping track of bowel health and movements should be more than a tick box exercise.By logging lifestyle habits and changes you can keep track of how these affect your bowel health. This information is very useful if you do need to go to the doctors for a bowel health issue.

Bowel history

Include previous medical conditions or previous use of constipation medications.

Typical bowel movements

Think about frequency and stool type. It helps to link this to that time period’s completed Bowel Management Records.

Usual toilet routines

When do you usually go and what can affect this routine?

Activity and exercise to maintain good bowel health

What is your usual activity during a standard day?

Diet for good bowel health

What do you usually eat and what do you eat to support your gut health?

Usual mealtime routines

What times of day do you usually eat and what can affect this routine?

Hydration for good bowel health

How much water do you drink throughout the day?

Usual drinking routines

When are you best at keeping hydrated and what can impact you drinking water?

Support to use the toilet

Do you need support to use the toilet? If so, what?

Preventing constipation Our 'Poo and You' campaign