Easy Read: Tracking your bowel movements

Your bowel health can quickly change and you can become constipated.
It is important to know what is normal for you.
So you know if you are healthy you can keep a Bowel Management Record. This shows what your poos are like.
These are the things you should write about in your Bowel Management Record.
You should write what your poos look like. You can use the Bristol Stool Chart to help with this. The Bristol Stool Chart shows you what different poo looks like and which is healthy.
If your poo looks like Type 1 or Type 2 then this means you have constipation.
Any times you have been constipated.
Any medication you have taken for constipation.
When you go to the toilet for a poo.
Anything you did differently that changed when you would usually go for a poo.
What exercise and activity you do during the day.
What you usually eat in the day.
What you drink and how much you drink in the day.
Information about any support or help you get to go to the toilet for a poo.
You can share your Bowel Management Record with your doctor if there are any big changes to your poo or if you are worried about it.