Do you have ‘ghost peeps’? Here’s what it says about your health.

“Ghost poops” may sound like a scary type of bowel movement on the inside, but according to gastroenterologists, they’re actually quite healthy.

Ghost poops are bowel movements that leave no skid marks in the toilet bowl or streaks on your toilet paper. Julia Barton, a physical therapist Stanford Pelvic Health CenterThese are called “unicorn poops” or “no wipers”.

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Why? “Because the stool is so well formed that when you wipe it, there’s no residual fecal matter left behind,” she said.

In other words: they’re the perfect poo. Here’s what causes ghost poop—and what they say about your overall health:

What causes a bowel movement to be ‘ghost poop’?

If you take a look Bristol stool scaleOn a visual chart that classifies bowel movements, ghost poop qualifies as type 4 poo, Barten said. Although there may not be any evidence left in the pot, your poop may look like a piece of sausage that is smooth and soft. “I would consider it a perfect pope,” Barten said.

Dr. Ira LeedsAs one Yale Medicine colorectal surgeon says, ghost poop—or nirvana poop, as he calls it—passes easily (but noticeably) through the anal canal, sinks to the bottom of the toilet, and leaves no residue when wiped. These three factors are indicators of good gut health.

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A bowel movement that moves easily through the anal canal is usually an ideal consistency, according to Leeds. As such, you don’t have to push hard. This, in turn, reduces stress and toilet time, which can lead to complications such as piles and anal fissures, he explained.

Floating pops usually have a high fat content, which keeps them on the surface of the water. But when your stool sinks? This indicates that your digestion is working properly.

“Fats, proteins and carbohydrates are properly broken down into their structural parts that the body can use effectively,” Leeds said.

Finally, seeing a lot of residue on the toilet paper after wiping could mean you have an underlying health problem. According to Leeds, if you have to wipe at least three times, you may want to do research. Your diet may be to blame (more on that below), if you have hemorrhoids, fissures, chronic itching, or anal fistula, more wipes may occur, Leeds noted.

Health: Do you have ‘ghost peeps’? Here’s what it says about your health.

What can you do to make sure you have ghost pops?

There are many factors that can affect the consistency of your poop e.g dietyours stress Levels with how much you to sleep and exercise.

If you want to improve your gut health, Barten recommends starting with dietary changes. In general, a high-fiber diet bulks up your stool so that it looks like type 4 poo on the Bristol Stool Scale. Aim to consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The more fiber you eat, the more consistent your stool will be, the easier it will be to go to the bathroom, and the less toilet paper you’ll need, Leeds said.

Many people have food sensitivities and intolerances. So, it’s worth being aware of how you react to different foods and drinks. The reason: “Staying away from foods that irritate your gut is important for well-formed stools,” Barten said.

Evidence It also shows that exercise can improve your bowel movements. “Regular cardiovascular exercise improves nervous system regulation and movement to literally make things move better — our joints, our muscles and our gut,” Barten said. The CDC recommends 150 minutes Exercise every week, but in small bursts activityLike going for a short walk, can boost your gut health.

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Finally, prioritize your sleep (goal Seven to eight hours (close your eyes every night) and do your best to manage your stress. “Our gut is our emotional center,” Barten said.

There is a strong mind-gut connection that significantly affects gut motility. Barten’s advice? Stop self-care. Take some time, if you can, every day relax And do the things you love. “It’s essential to get a satisfactory bowel movement,” she said.

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