For the newbies, the
KFB “Know your health’ column is where we discuss health issues. Today we are talking about excreta. (gross!?. Naah)
Excreta, feces or stool
refers to body waste formed in the intestine.
It is perhaps the final stage in
the human digestion chain. It is formed in the colon and passed down into the
rectum through the process of peristalsis and evacuated after the rectum is sufficiently
distended through voluntary relaxation of the sphincter muscles around the
outer part of the anus. Excreta contain
water, food residue, bacteria and secretions of the intestines and liver.
refers to body waste formed in the intestine.
It is perhaps the final stage in
the human digestion chain. It is formed in the colon and passed down into the
rectum through the process of peristalsis and evacuated after the rectum is sufficiently
distended through voluntary relaxation of the sphincter muscles around the
outer part of the anus. Excreta contain
water, food residue, bacteria and secretions of the intestines and liver.
It can either be
brownish, yellowish, reddish or blackish. The two things that influence the
colour of a person’s excreta are the type of food we eat and some special medications
like Ferrous.
brownish, yellowish, reddish or blackish. The two things that influence the
colour of a person’s excreta are the type of food we eat and some special medications
like Ferrous.
There are basically
three variations of excreta. While the watery/fluid and hard feces can be as a
result of some conditions, the semi-solid is relatively normal.
three variations of excreta. While the watery/fluid and hard feces can be as a
result of some conditions, the semi-solid is relatively normal.
The
watery/fluid excreta: this could be as a result of
infection for example, shirgella specie bacteria, tear /scratch in the rectum,
food poison or other more severe conditions. Watery excreta are results of a
loose bowel particularly when stooling has persisted more than three times in just
a day. The first home remedy to this is get rehydrated by taking lots of water and/or Oral Rehydtarion Solution- ORS. If it persists, it’s advisable to seek medical attention.
watery/fluid excreta: this could be as a result of
infection for example, shirgella specie bacteria, tear /scratch in the rectum,
food poison or other more severe conditions. Watery excreta are results of a
loose bowel particularly when stooling has persisted more than three times in just
a day. The first home remedy to this is get rehydrated by taking lots of water and/or Oral Rehydtarion Solution- ORS. If it persists, it’s advisable to seek medical attention.
Semi-solid/normal
excreta refer to the ideal texture of human feces. It is
usually shaped like banana but may differ in colour from person to person. This
could be a result of medications and food intake. The possibility of the feces
breaking while being passed out cannot be overlooked. This happens when the
sphincter muscle around the anus contracts when the individual cannot sustain
it anymore. This does not make the feces abnormal.
excreta refer to the ideal texture of human feces. It is
usually shaped like banana but may differ in colour from person to person. This
could be a result of medications and food intake. The possibility of the feces
breaking while being passed out cannot be overlooked. This happens when the
sphincter muscle around the anus contracts when the individual cannot sustain
it anymore. This does not make the feces abnormal.
The
hard excreta: this happens when the intestine has absorbed
almost all the water in the food residue, as a result of inadequate water
intake. When the feces consistently remains hard, it may tear the anus (causing
blood stains), scratch the rectum and the intestinal wall.
hard excreta: this happens when the intestine has absorbed
almost all the water in the food residue, as a result of inadequate water
intake. When the feces consistently remains hard, it may tear the anus (causing
blood stains), scratch the rectum and the intestinal wall.
How to maintain normal / semi-solid
excreta
excreta
- Take vegetables regularly,
- Take food rich in fiber
- Take balanced diet
- Drink lots and lots of water (An average
of 2.5 litres of water daily at least about 50cl per meal)
While watery/fluid
excreta can be as a result of one infection or the other, hard excreta can damage
vital organs in the body. It is therefore pertinent to examine ones excreta for
blood stains, mucus and blood particularly when serious discomforts are
experienced while passing it out.
excreta can be as a result of one infection or the other, hard excreta can damage
vital organs in the body. It is therefore pertinent to examine ones excreta for
blood stains, mucus and blood particularly when serious discomforts are
experienced while passing it out.
Courtesy: Dr Bankola
Abiola, CKC medical and dental services
Abiola, CKC medical and dental services