A doctor listed symptoms related to going to the toilet that should prompt a visit to your GP (Image: Getty)
An emergency doctor has warned of five concerning symptoms that occur on the toilet and should be “checked out” immediately. According to the expert, these signs could indicate something “sinister”.
, who is best known online as Dr Sooj, took to social media platform to explain more. He recorded a video to respond to one follower who said: “When I poop, I feel like my anus tears and then blood comes out.”
Dr Sooj said: “This is obviously not a good sign. Poop should not be spiky, it should not be painful, it should not be hard. There should definitely not be any blood and you should be opening your bowels regularly.”
He urged his viewers: “Now, if your poop is any of those things go and see a doctor.” Luckily there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of these issues.
“Here are some things that you can do at home if you want to try and overcome things like this. Eat way more fibre, drink way more water, eat loads of fruit and veg and nuts, and legumes and things like that.
Replying to @7️⃣ Your poop should not be spikey.
“Psyllium husk can be amazing, it’s a fibre supplement. It can make your poop softer so you don’t get tears and pain and blood.”
He continued: “When you need to go to do a poop, please do not hold it. Don’t withhold. Just go to the toilet to poop. You can even get a little poop stool to put your feet up on to change the angle of your hips, and therefore, allow the poop to come out, more smoothly.
“Leaning forward can also give you a similar effect. Some of my patients will even just squat on the toilet seat.”
He reiterated some of the symptoms to look out for. Dr Sooj added: “Blood in your poop, changing bowel habits, constipation.
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“These are all really, really common things, but we need to make sure we’re not missing something more serious or more sinister. So, make sure you’re going to get checked out.”
These symptoms are all potential warning signs of bowel cancer, which is one of the most deadly forms of the disease in the UK. The NHS says symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
- Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
- Tummy pain
- A lump in your tummy
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired for no reason.
Bowel cancer can also cause anaemia (when you have fewer red blood cells than usual), which can make you feel very tired, short of breath and have headaches. The health body says you should go to your GP if you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more.