Tag: bowels

What Your Poop Says About Your Health

Are you ignoring important clues about your health, right from your toilet? Compare your stools to this 7-point scale and find out how you rate. Discover the tell-tale signs of certain serious diseases, and four warning signs that warrant a call to your doctor. STORY AT-A-GLANCE You can learn a great deal about your overall…


How Does Coffee Affect Your Metabolism?

Coffee contains many bioactive compounds that influence metabolism directly, causing your colon to contract and promoting bowel movements, as well as indirectly, via neurohumoral responses. Story at-a-glance There’s an, often unspoken, effect of coffee drinking that many would consider a benefit — it makes you poop Colon activity increases quickly after a cup of coffee…


Irritable Bowel Syndrome: In Depth

What Is IBS? IBS is a chronic disorder that affects the large intestine and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea. As many as one in five Americans have symptoms of IBS. The cause of IBS isn’t well understood but stress, large meals, certain foods, and alcohol may trigger symptoms in people…