FAQ: What is Normal Digestive Function?

The main reason most people don’t know what normal digestive function looks like is because we don’t exactly show up to brunch asking, “How many times do you usually poop in a week?”. It can be really hard to know what is “normal” and what isn’t when it comes to a taboo topic like the gut.

And yet, it’s really important to take note of digestive complaints since they can be a sign that something’s wrong. How do you know what is and isn’t normal? What should be alarming and what is totally fine? This can be tricky since every body is different and so is every gut! Clandestine googling works (sometimes), but a solid baseline knowledge is always best.

As a dietitian I know how the digestive system is supposed to work, and I have a good idea of how it usually works for most people. But I also know how hard it can be to get reliable information on such a complex (and embarrassing) topic. So in this post I’m laying out the basic, honest facts about our inner workings and how to decode your digestive system!

A Trip Through the Digestive System

The digestive system is made up of interconnected organs that traverse from your top to your bottom. Your food travels from your mouth through the esophagus, into the stomach, and then into the small intestine and large intestine (otherwise known as the colon) before exiting via the anus. The pancreas, liver, and gallbladder play supporting roles with digestion and absorption as well.

Normal digestion is the result of the complex interaction between ALL parts of your digestive system, your brain, your food, and your gut microbiome (the good gut bacteria in your colon). There are tons of factors that can influence digestion, but the first step to troubleshooting is picking up on any abnormal or bothersome symptoms.

Post-Meal Symptoms

After you eat it is common to experience some symptoms, depending on what you ate and how big the meal or snack was. Your body is hard at work digesting food and so are those gut bacteria. Everyone has a small amount of “healthy gas” spread out within their digestive system, and this can increase up to 65% after eating a meal.

Sensations that could be considered normal are:

• Fullness after a large meal, especially if it was high in fat
• Gas or bloating after eating a gas-forming food (onions, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, garlic, broccoli, beans, lentils)

Sensations that probably aren’t normal are:

• Prolonged bloating or abdominal distension (swollen abdomen)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Early satiety (unusually early fullness)
• Postprandial fullness (prolonged feeling of fullness several hours after a meal)
• Pain
• Acid reflux

Bowel Movements

It’s hard to say what the perfect frequency of bowel movements should be. We usually rely on studies that take a look at large groups of people with healthy digestive systems. One study found that “normal” stool frequency is between three times per week and three times per day.

Another way to determine the health of your digestive system is by looking at the characteristics of your stool. Is it usually hard? Soft? Cracked? Does the smell send you (and those around you) running for the hills? Some degree of urgency, straining, and incomplete evacuation is considered normal, but if it becomes severe or persistent it may not be.

The Bristol Stool Scale classifies stool into seven categories. Most “normal” bowel movements are believed to be around a #3 or #4. If you’re consistently towards the high end (#6 or #7) or low end (#1 or #2), it may be time to do some investigating into the cause.

Normal Digestive Function for You

While there are guidelines for what is “normal”, it’s also important to listen to your body. Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you feel bad after eating?
• Do you worry about your bowel movements on a regular basis?
• Do you have a hard time falling asleep at night, or does your stomach wake you up?
• Do digestion-related symptoms hold you back from doing things you enjoy?
• Do you ever find yourself planning your day around your stomach or bowel movements?

If your digestive system dictates how you live your life- what you do, how you feel, and how much you enjoy yourself- that’s probably not a good “normal” for you. On the other hand, if you answered “no” to all of the above questions then you probably do have a healthy, happy, normal-for-you digestive system!

The Importance of Taking Action

Q: “So what if my stool is usually a #7?”

A: Well, if your bowel movements are more frequent than three times per day or always loose, you’re probably not absorbing all of the nutrients from your food. Which increases your risk for conditions such as dehydration or nutrient deficiencies. There is something irritating your digestive system and it’s important to find out what! Diarrhea is usually a symptom of something bigger going on.

Q: Does  it matter if I have acid reflux that’s not being treated?”

A: Other than it being uncomfortable, any long-term imbalance in your digestive system can cause problems. For example, chronic uncontrolled acid reflux can increase your risk for Barrett’s Esophagus, a condition that in turn increases your risk for esophageal cancer. I don’t mention this to scare you, but to highlight an example of how even the most “innocent” of discomforts can actually become not-so-innocent over time!

Your digestive system is like a window into your overall health. If something is off with your digestive system, it may be your body trying to tell you that something is wrong. And it’s important to listen! It’s not worth ignoring symptoms for years only to find out there was a simple fix all along.

I always recommend talking to your doctor about any and all gastrointestinal symptoms that aren’t normal for you. It’s a great first step towards identifying the underlying cause and how to fix it. Of course dietitians are great resources too!

 

As always, this article is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions. My full disclaimer is available here.

References

• Alzubaidi, et al. GERD: diagnosing and treating the burn. Cleve Clin J Med. 2015;82(10):685-692. Available here.
• Marciani et al. Additive effects of gastric volumes and macronutrient composition on the sensation of postprandial fullness in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015;69(3):380-4. Available here.
• National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): “Your Digestive System & How it Works”.
• Parkman HP. Idiopathic gastroparesis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(1):59-68. Available here.
• Scaldaferri et al. Intestinal gas production and gastrointestinal symptoms: from pathogenesis to clinical implication. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013;17(2):2-10. Available here.
• Walter et al. Assessment of normal bowel habits in the general adult population: the Popcol study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2010;45(5):556-66. Available here.