While much attention is given to what we eat, less focus is placed on the output of our digestive system—poop. However, understanding your stool can provide significant insights into your health, diet, and overall well-being. This guide explores the types of poop, a color chart, and tips for maintaining healthy bowel function.

Poop, or stool, is the byproduct of your digestive system. It comprises digested food, bacteria, salts, proteins, and other substances from the intestines. While it might not be a popular dinner table topic, examining your poop can be a valuable tool for monitoring your gut health.

How to Read The Bristol Stool Chart

The Bristol Stool Chart is a widely used system that categorizes stool into seven types based on texture and appearance. Here’s what each type means:

Poop Colors and What They Mean

Poop color can vary based on diet, medications, or underlying health conditions. Here's a breakdown:

Signs of Unhealthy Poop

Unhealthy stool can manifest as constipation, diarrhea, or persistent changes in color or texture.

Constipation

- Signs: Hard, lumpy stools (Types 1 and 2).

- Causes: Low fiber or water intake, medications, or infrequent bowel movements.

- Solutions: Increase fiber, hydrate, and exercise regularly.

Diarrhea

- Signs: Watery or mushy stools (Types 6 and 7).

- Causes: Infections, medications, or food intolerances.

- Solutions: Stay hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks and avoid trigger foods.

Bowel Function in Kids

Children's bowel movements can vary, with some children going once a day and others having a bowel movement after each meal. To assess their stool health, the Pediatric Bristol Stool Form can be helpful. Type 3 stools, which are smooth and sausage-shaped, are considered ideal, while Type 4 stools, which are slightly mushy but soft, are also healthy. However, if a child experiences persistent constipation or diarrhea, it's important to consult a pediatrician to address any underlying health concerns.

How to Improve Bowel Health

To maintain or enhance bowel function:

- Include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

- Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.

- Encourage a healthy gut microbiome.

- Eating and using the restroom at regular times can help.

- Use a footstool to improve the angle during bowel movements.

When to See a Doctor

Changes in stool don’t always signal alarm, but there are red flags to watch for. Persistent diarrhea or constipation lasting more than three days, black or tarry stools, pale stools, or blood in your stool should be taken seriously. If these symptoms occur, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. Additionally, if children experience persistent constipation or diarrhea, it’s essential to consult a pediatrician for proper evaluation and care. Early attention to these signs can help address underlying health issues before they worsen.

Understanding your bowel movements is not just a quirky fascination but a critical part of health awareness. If something seems off, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. After all, listening to your body—even in the bathroom—can lead to better overall well-being.

When you hear of the drug lord Pablo Escobar, you think of someone uncatchable, beyond the law. However, it is because of such a personality that we often forget that he too has everyday problems like us, including health issues, which may have cost their lives too.

"Gastritis won't leave me alone," was one of the phrases the drug lord mentioned during the calls he had with his son and wife. One day, these were the calls that made it possible to catch him. Not just him, but also Ecuador's wanted criminal 'Fito', José Adolfo Macias Vilamar, who is the leader of Los Choneros too suffered from the same. On June 25, he was finally captured.

Drug Lords And Heart Diseases

It is Fito's medicines that gave him away. It was in the bunker of his house, or the appropriate word for it would be a hole, out of which Fito appeared. But, how did the authority know he would be in that hole, in the property? The authorities found products for heartburn and gastritis, such as Diatrol, Dexopal, and Omeprazole. This is what made them certain that Fito in fact was there. They also found medicines for treating skin conditions, such as Platsul and Itrafung, an insulin used by him to treat his diabetes.

"Fito has a serious gastritis problem and is taking some medication," said Interior Minister John Reimberg. Gastritis and heartburn was also suffered by the founder of Medellín cartel, Escobar.

After escaping from La Catedral in 1992, Escobar began hiding from authorities without the power he had during much of his criminal heyday, which prevented him from accessing the drugs he used to treat his gastritis.

What Is Gastritis?

As per John Hopkins Medicine, it is inflammation of the stomach lining. Your stomach lining is strong. In most cases, acid does not hurt it. But it can get inflamed and irritated if you drink too much alcohol, have damage from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (called NSAIDs), or smoke.

What May Have Caused It?

For Drug lords, lavish parties, alcohol use, and extreme stress to find an escape is common. These are the exact causes of gastritis.

Lifestyle habits that can cause gastritis include:

• Drinking too much alcohol
• Smoking
• Extreme stress. This can be from serious or life-threatening health problems
• Long-term use of aspirin and NSAIDs

Health issues that too could lead to this:

• Infection caused by bacteria or viruses
• Major surgery
• Traumatic injury or burns

Diseases like autoimmune disorders, where you immune system attacks your body's healthy cells by mistake, or chronic bile reflux, where bile backs up into your stomach and food pipe (esophagus) could also cause gastritis.

Common Symptoms

• Stomach upset or pain
• Belching and hiccups
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling of fullness or burning in your stomach
• Loss of appetite
• Blood in your vomit or black stool. This is a sign that your stomach lining may be bleeding

Could It Lead To Complications?

Chronic gastritis hurts your stomach lining. It can raise your risk for other health problems. These include:

• Peptic ulcer disease. This causes painful sores in your upper digestive tract
• Gastric polyps. These are small masses of cells that form on the inside lining of your stomach
• Stomach tumors. These can be cancer or not cancer (benign)
• A hole (perforation) of the stomach

'Medical Memoir' is a Health & Me series that delves into some of the most intriguing medical histories and unveils how medical innovations have evolved over time. Here, we trace the early stages of all things health, whether a vaccine, a treatment, a pill, or a cure.

Menstrual products have come a long way—from homemade cloth rags and belts to silicone menstrual cups and sleek, leak-proof underwear. The history of these products is as much about medical innovation as it is about cultural taboos, social shifts, and gendered marketing. While nearly half the world menstruates at some point, the journey toward safer, dignified, and sustainable period care has been anything but straightforward.

Ancient Origins: Creativity and Cultural Beliefs

Long before commercial products existed, women relied on locally available materials. In ancient Greece, tampon-like devices were reportedly made using lint wrapped around light wood. Egyptian women fashioned internal devices from softened papyrus, while Roman women used wool or cotton pads secured with belts. Meanwhile, Native American women used moss and buffalo skin, and in Equatorial Africa, grass rolls absorbed menstrual blood.

However, these were not necessarily used openly. Menstruation was frequently wrapped in superstition and shame. Ancient texts reveal contradictory beliefs: while Egyptian medical papyri regarded menstrual blood as medicinal, Roman and early Christian texts often considered it impure, even dangerous.

19th Century: Cloth Pads and the Birth of Sanitary Belts

By the 1800s, European and American women commonly used reusable cloth rags made from flannel or linen. These were washed and reused but posed hygiene concerns. The late 19th century saw the invention of the sanitary belt—a strap-on belt that held a pad in place. Brands like Southalls’ Shaped Towel Suspender marketed these belts for women “travelling by land or sea.”

In 1896, Johnson & Johnson launched Lister’s Towels, the first disposable sanitary napkins. But cultural stigma around menstruation kept them from selling well; women were reluctant to ask for them in stores.

Early 20th Century: From Warfront to Women’s Needs

World War I brought an unexpected breakthrough. Nurses discovered that cellulose bandages, used to stop bleeding on the battlefield, were highly absorbent and cheap. This innovation led to the Kotex sanitary pad, marking one of the first commercially successful disposable period products.

In the 1920s, Fax tampons emerged, though still rudimentary. The most transformative moment came in 1933, when Earle Haas patented the modern tampon with an applicator. Soon after, Gertrude Tendrich, founder of Tampax, bought the patent and established the brand. Even so, tampons faced social resistance, particularly from conservative groups concerned about virginity and morality.

Mid-20th Century: Belts, Pads, and Patents

Through the mid-1900s, many women still used sanitary belts. African-American inventor Mary Kenner created an adjustable version in 1956, complete with a moisture-proof pocket. Sadly, her patent was ignored for decades due to racial discrimination.

In the 1970s, beltless pads with adhesive strips revolutionized convenience. Pads now came in various sizes—mini, maxi, with or without wings. Around the same time, feminist movements advocated for reusable options like sea sponges and cloth pads as environmentally conscious alternatives.

Menstrual Cups: A Quiet Revolution

Though menstrual cups seem like a recent innovation, the first patent was filed by Leona Chalmers in 1937. Made of latex, her design didn't gain traction due to wartime material shortages and social discomfort.

It wasn’t until 2002 that the Mooncup, a reusable silicone cup, popularized the category. Founder Su Hardy promoted it as a hypoallergenic, eco-friendly product. Unlike tampons or pads, a single menstrual cup could last up to 10 years—dramatically reducing waste. Brands like Tampax followed suit with their own versions in the late 2010s, promoting sustainability.

Late 20th Century: Safety Concerns and Regulation

The rise of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in the late 1970s, particularly linked to super-absorbent tampons, led to thousands of hospitalizations and several deaths. This public health crisis sparked stricter regulations and awareness campaigns, including the Tampon Safety Bill (1995) and the General Product Safety Regulation (2005) in the UK.

21st Century Innovations: Empowerment and Sustainability

The last two decades have ushered in a period care renaissance. There’s a growing market for organic cotton tampons and pads, biodegradable wrappers, and subscription-based period boxes. Perhaps the biggest innovation has been period panties—moisture-wicking, antimicrobial underwear that replaces pads altogether.

Modern period brands now emphasize body positivity, gender inclusivity, and sustainability. Campaigns no longer whisper "discreet protection" but proudly celebrate menstruators taking control of their health.

Despite all the progress, menstrual stigma lingers. Even in 2025, millions of girls worldwide miss school due to lack of access to period products or sanitation. In many parts of the world, conversations around menstruation remain cloaked in secrecy or shame.

After months of steady decline, COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have begun to rise again—and no, it’s not an anomaly. This marks the anticipated beginning of a summer surge, with public health data underscoring how the virus behaves with seasonal rhythms—even while national activity levels remain low.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now reports that infections are climbing in approximately half of all states, particularly throughout the Southeast, South, and the West Coast—California included. CDC’s national wastewater surveillance, which gauges virus circulation in sewage, has shifted from “very low” to “medium” activity, confirming increasing spread. In California, the WastewaterSCAN program showed the virus present at 95% of monitored sites, with concentration levels rising steadily since June.

While this escalation mirrors trends from previous summers, the data make it clear: COVID is here once again. California isn’t just another dot on the map—it’s a bellwether. With 150 COVID-related deaths per week across the U.S., even a modest surge in California can impact national outcomes. Moreover, its key role in travel, entertainment, and indoor-heavy lifestyles during heatwaves elevates the risk of amplification.

This is not a sharp spike, but a gradual climb, close to last year’s levels. That similarity should not breed complacency; rather, it offers an early chance to act.

The Rise of NB.1.8.1 (“Nimbus”) and Other Variants

Wastewater sequencing in California shows:

• LP.8.1 dominating with 33.2% of samples
• XFG at 24.6%
• NB.1.8.1, better known as “Nimbus” or the “razor‑blade throat” variant, accounting for 7.5%

Though nicknames highlight painful throat symptoms, there's no current evidence that Nimbus causes more severe illness or hospitalizations. Still, its growing prevalence and transmissibility mean health officials are tracking it closely.

CDC analysis reveals that COVID now follows a twice-yearly pattern—with surges in both summer (July–September) and winter (December–February)

San Francisco Chronicle. Researchers attribute this cycle to genetic changes in the virus’s spike protein, particularly the S1 region, which enhances viral binding and transmission.

History confirms this: California typically peaks in mid-July to late August—making current trends both expected and potentially warning signs of a broader wave.

Who’s at Risk and What You Can Do?

While activity levels are officially “low”, complacency isn’t wise—especially for high-risk groups: adults over 65, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant people, and infants under 2:

• Ensure vaccination within the past year or seek boosters
• Test if experiencing symptoms
• Wear masks in crowded or high-risk indoor spaces

As Dr. Peter Chin‑Hong of UCSF advises, “For those older than 65, very immunocompromised, pregnant persons and infants—especially under 2—I would make sure you have received a COVID vaccine at least in the past year.”

Emergency department visits for COVID remain low nationally, though recent upticks have occurred in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast—the highest since early spring. Notably, this summer rise coincides with a surge in Parvovirus B19, which poses risks for pregnant women and is prompting additional caution.

COVID hospitalizations have become more predictable with seasonal waves, but still linger above zero year-round, reinforcing the need for vigilance .

The recurring summer pattern suggests that COVID-19 is shifting from pandemic unpredictability to endemic regularity, but that doesn’t diminish its impact. Continued mutation, waning immunity, and seasonal behaviors (like travel and indoor gatherings) ensure that vigilance remains essential.

As the CDC and WHO emphasize, updating vaccines, using masks in crowded environments, testing when sick, and keeping track of local wastewater trends are practical steps everyone can take.

California’s rise in COVID cases—though still within low national activity—matters. It signals seasonal resurgence and underscores ongoing viral evolution through new variants like Nimbus. Protecting public health requires action: vaccination, testing, masking, and staying informed about evolving trends.

The summer wave is predictable—but entirely preventable in its impact. With timely measures, we can ride it out safely.