Even when it comes to body functions, some subjects are as universally relevant yet hardly discussed as bowel movements aka your poop schedule. Everyone poops, and while it is a natural and essential part of digestion, how often should it be? Is there some sort of ideal number of bathroom visits per day, or does it vary from individual to individual? Knowing the norm and what is abnormal can really help develop health through good digestive function and recognize red flags.

There is no rule for how often you should poop, but it should be regular and comfortable. If you experience persistent irregularities, you can try to improve your digestive health by making lifestyle adjustments such as increasing fiber intake, drinking more water, and exercising regularly. However, if changes in bowel habits are accompanied by pain, blood, or significant discomfort, you should seek medical advice to rule out any serious conditions.

What Is a Normal Bowel Movement Frequency?

There is no single answer to how often you should poop because bowel habits differ widely among individuals. Experts define a healthy range as anywhere from three times per day to three times per week. Some people naturally go more frequently, while others may only need to empty their bowels a few times a week.

What matters most is that your bowel movements are complete and spontaneous - they should happen naturally without straining or laxatives. If you're uncomfortable, struggle, or have unexplained difficulty, an imbalance may have occurred that needs to be addressed.

Things That Influence Your Poop Schedule

There are several things that determine how often you must go:

Dietary Fiber Intake – Fiber is crucial for regular bowel movements. Consuming 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes helps maintain healthy digestion.

Hydration Levels – Water keeps stools soft and easy to pass. Aim for at least eight cups of water daily to support smooth digestion.

Physical Activity – Regular movement, such as walking, stimulates digestion and promotes bowel regularity.

Stress and Anxiety – The gut-brain connection is strong, and stress can lead to constipation or diarrhea.

Medical Conditions and Medications – Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypothyroidism, or diabetes can affect digestion. Certain medications, including opioids and antidepressants, can also slow bowel movements.

Bathroom Habits – Ignoring the urge to go can lead to constipation over time, so it’s essential to respond when nature calls.

How to Poop With Improved Bowel Regularity

If you find yourself struggling with irregular bowel movements, consider making these lifestyle changes to support a healthier digestive system:

Increase Fiber Intake – Add fiber-rich foods such as berries, oats, lentils, nuts, and seeds into your diet.

Stay Hydrated – Drinking at least 64 ounces (eight cups) of water daily helps soften stool and prevent constipation.

Eat Probiotic Foods – Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and probiotic supplements can balance gut bacteria, improving digestion and stool consistency.

Exercise Regularly – Engaging in physical activities like walking, running, or yoga stimulates bowel movements.

Maintain a Consistent Routine – Try to use the bathroom at the same time each day to regulate your body’s natural rhythm.

Don’t Ignore the Urge to Go – Holding in a bowel movement can lead to discomfort and constipation.

When to See a Doctor About Your Bowel Movements

While some variation in bowel habits is normal, certain signs may indicate a more serious underlying issue. You should consult a doctor if you experience:

Significant Changes in Bowel Frequency – Sudden, persistent constipation or diarrhea could signal a problem.

Painful or Laborious Bowel Movements-Chronic straining, bloating, or cramping may characterize IBS and other gastrointestinal maladies, which include hemorrhoids and even far more serious disturbances.

Blood in Stool-Light red streaks may herald hemorrhoids but dark, tar-like stools speak of gastrointestinal bleed.

Coloured Stools-Diarrheas may color the stool paler or its color clayey due to disturbed liver or the gallbladder.

Thin or Narrow Stools – A sudden change in stool shape could be a sign of a blockage or other medical concerns.

Severe Abdominal Pain – If experiencing intense pain with constipation, it could indicate an obstruction requiring medical attention.

Your poop habits may not be a frequent topic of conversation, but paying attention to them is crucial for your overall health. After all, a healthy gut contributes to a healthier life.

After many people reported problems with their pancreas post taking weight loss and diabetes injections, the UK health officials launched a study to look into side-effects of these drugs.

Cases of pancreatitis, which causes inflammation of the pancreas, which is a gland located behind the stomach, has been fatal. These cases have been linked to GLP-1 medicines, also the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.

The Background

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is investigating a rise in reports of acute pancreatitis potentially linked to GLP-1 weight-loss medications. This follows an increase in submissions to the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme, which tracks adverse reactions to medicines and medical devices.

What Happens In Acute Pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, a digestive gland behind the stomach, and often requires hospitalisation. Symptoms include intense abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. GLP-1 drugs, such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide), and liraglutide, list pancreatitis as an “uncommon” side effect—estimated to affect up to one in 100 users.

To date, nearly 400 cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported in relation to these drugs, with 181 linked to Mounjaro. Alarmingly, over a quarter of those reports have emerged in 2025 alone. This year, the Yellow Card scheme has recorded 101 cases related to tirzepatide and 22 tied to semaglutide.

What Did The Authorities Say?

An MHRA spokesperson noted: “With increased usage, we’re seeing more Yellow Card reports involving GLP-1 medicines and acute pancreatitis.” While there’s currently no known genetic link, the MHRA is exploring whether genetics might influence susceptibility to such side effects. It has called on both patients and healthcare professionals to report suspected drug-related pancreatitis.

The Study: Who Can Be Part Of It?

Those affected may be invited to join the Yellow Card Biobank study, conducted with Genomics England. Participants will provide health information and saliva samples to help researchers investigate genetic factors that may affect drug reactions.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA’s chief safety officer, said nearly a third of all medicine side effects could be preventable with genetic testing, which may also help reduce the estimated £2.2 billion annual cost of adverse drug reactions to the NHS.

Drug manufacturers have responded to the concerns. Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro, stated that patient safety remains a top priority and noted that pancreatitis is already listed as a known side effect. Novo Nordisk UK, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, also stressed the importance of using GLP-1 medications only under medical supervision, while continuing to monitor safety data closely.

The MHRA’s ongoing investigation aims to improve understanding of these side effects as GLP-1 medications become more widely used for managing obesity and diabetes.

The teen birth rate in the U.S. continued its steady decline in 2022, dropping by 2% from the previous year, as per the latest final report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In 2022, there were 13.6 births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19, down from 13.9 in 2021. This amounts to nearly 3,200 fewer births in that age group compared to the year before.

The rate has reached a new record low each year since 2009. Overall, it has declined by 67% since 2007 and 78% since 1991 — a trend the CDC attributes to reduced sexual activity among teens and increased use of contraception by those who are sexually active.

The annual drop also witnessed a 3% rate decline to 25.8 per 1,000 among women 18 to 19 years old. The rate among girls 15 to 17 years old in 2022 remained unchanged from the last year at 5.6 per 1,000.

In 2022, teen birth rates declined across several racial and ethnic groups. The rates dropped by 7% among both Black and American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) females, and by 3% among white females, reaching 9.1 births per 1,000. Rates remained largely unchanged for Asian teens as well as Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI), while Hispanic teens saw a slight 1% increase. The highest birth rates were recorded among AIAN (22.5 per 1,000), NHOPI (20.5), and Black (20.3) females.

2022 also witnessed a decline in birth rate in 13 states in 2022. It has ranged from a 3% drop in Florida, to a 12% drop in Oklahoma. However, it essentially remained unchanged in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Overall, the teen birth rates among the states have ranged from a low of 4.6 births per 1,000 to a high of 26.4 per 1,000.

Here's a list of top 10 states with the highest teen birth rates in 2022

10. New Mexico

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 19.7 per 1,000

9. West Virginia

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 19.8 per 1,000

8. Texas

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 20.4 per 1,000

7. Alabama

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 20.9 per 1,000

6. Tennessee

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 21 per 1,000

5. Oklahoma

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 21.2 per 1,000

4. Kentucky

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 21.8 per 1,000

3. Louisiana

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 23.7 per 1,000

2. Arkansas

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 24.6 per 1,000

1. Mississippi

The teen birth rate here was recorded at 26.4 per 1,000

Why Is This Concerning?

Having a high teen birth rate means the number of teen pregnancy is also high. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescent pregnancies are those between the age of 15 to 19, also known as teen pregnancies. WHO notes that adolescent mothers (aged 10–19 years) face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis and systemic infections than women aged 20–24 years, and babies of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth and severe neonatal condition.

As per a 2022 report presented at the Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, titled, Complications of Pregnancy in Adolescents, teen pregnant mothers are at increase risks of poor obstetric outcomes including preterm delivery, low birth weight, eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, anemia, and infant, as well as maternal morbidity.

Fitness trackers have become quite popular in recent years. Having a device that can give you accurate stats about your heart rate, distance traveled, as well as how many calories you may have burnt can be a great tool for health. These stats help people devise their own fitness routines and according to the data they get. However, are these stats reliable?

A new study says that fitness trackers aren't good at measuring how active people with obesity really are. This is because people with extra weight walk differently, have different speeds, and burn energy in unique ways. This means their fitness devices don't give them correct readings, according to researchers writing in Scientific Reports.

Why Current Trackers Miss the Mark

Most fitness trackers are designed for people who don't have obesity. Because of this, they don't give accurate information to those who do. For example, trackers worn on the hip often give wrong energy burn readings because people with obesity have a different way of walking and might wear the device at an angle. While wrist-worn trackers are generally better, they haven't been properly tested and set up for people with obesity.

A New, More Accurate Solution

The research team has now created a new calculation that allows smartwatches to more precisely track calories burned by people with obesity. Tests in a lab setting show this new method is over 95% accurate in real-world situations.

Without a reliable way to measure activity from wrist devices, it's hard to know exactly how active people with obesity are each day. This makes it difficult to create personalized health programs and improve their health.

Testing and Open-Source Availability

The team put their new algorithm through rigorous testing, comparing it against multiple other advanced methods for estimating exertion. They used research-grade fitness trackers and wearable cameras to precisely identify moments when wrist sensors misjudged calorie burn.

In one part of the study, participants wore a fitness tracker and a special mask that measured energy burn by tracking the oxygen they breathed in and the carbon dioxide they breathed out. In another part, participants wore a fitness tracker and a body camera during their daily routines.

The research also involved having people do standard exercises that were adjusted for their weight, like wall push-ups instead of floor push-ups. This showed that current "standard" workouts often exclude many people, and it's important to rethink how success is measured in fitness so that everyone's hard work is recognized.

The next step is to release an activity-monitoring app for Apple and Android smartwatches that will use this new calculation. Importantly, this calculation is open source, meaning other researchers can freely use it and build upon it. The team noted that, to their knowledge, no other similar open-source calculation has been made available for commercial wrist-worn devices.

Some Other Ways Fitness Trackers Can Aid Your Health

While the calories count may not be as accurate as we hope, there are many other ways fitness trackers can aid our health. The Brown Health University explains that these fitness trackers can

Monitor your Heart Health

Many fitness trackers can monitor your pulse and heart rate during exercise. This allows you to target specific heart rate zones, helping you get the most out of your workouts. Trackers are also a great way to ensure you hit that recommended 30 minutes of daily activity.

Track Your Sleep

If you're aiming for better sleep, a fitness tracker can be a useful tool. While it can't replace a full medical sleep study, a tracker with sleep monitoring uses sensors to detect your heart rate and its variations, which helps determine if you're asleep or awake.

Connect with Other Health Apps

Your wearable fitness tracker can easily connect with a variety of other health-related apps on your smartphone. This makes it simple to keep track of your progress on the go. You can check off daily habits, log your water intake, or record your workouts—all from your wrist.