When it comes to bowel movements, there really is no such thing as “normal”.
Anything from one movement a week to three times a day is considered healthy and normal, every body is different.
However, it’s always helpful to be able to look out for signs that your system is running smoothly, and apparently there IS a “best time of day” to do a number two.
Kenneth Koch, M.D., chief, section on gastroenterology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center tells Women’s Health:
“For most people, the best time and their regular time is in the morning.”
He explains that this is because when you are sleeping, your small intestine and colon get to work processing the food you ate the day before.
“That food tends to pass through your body once you start your morning, and most of us are running to the bathroom within 30 minutes”.
If this isn’t happening for you, there are ways you can encourage your body to get on to a healthy schedule.
Stephen B. Hanauer, M.D., medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center adds that messing with your morning routine in turn messes with your bowel movements, causing irregularity.
“The best way to have regular bowel habits is to be regular in the things that effect bowel habits.”
When it comes to diet; coffee, fruits, veggies, and fibre are best to get things moving.
“You can think of 100 reasons you don’t have time.But have that breakfast, recognize that urge to have a bowel movement, and then take the time. That’s how you get into a regular movement.”
“But have that breakfast, recognise that urge to have a bowel movement, and then take the time. That’s how you get into a regular movement.”
