So what exactly is diarrhea anyways and what is normal??

[Solidsimpson]

Hey all,

Weird question. I'm not sure anymore what is an acceptable bowel movement. Is diarrhea when it's just like a soupy stool? I have looked at the Bristol stool chart but don't find it too helpful.

I know it's supposed to be semi solid. I know an ideal bowel movement is snake like. But I have also heard it's ideal to go to the bathroom 2 times a day and for it to be a lot softer. So I'm just confused. What if it looks like the poop emoji? Haha

[sunny_lizz]

Hi there,

I think this is a hard question. I´ve read and heard so many times that stool is highly variable and that it can be influenced by so many factors that there is basically no "wrong" stool. (except for maybe constipation and a grey color)

For me, I can distinguish between just very soft stool and diarrhea because I´ve experienced both a lot of times. Warning, I´m about to get a little graphic here! Diarrhea for me is when it basically shoots out of me and I can´t get a dry fart out because there´s always liquid stool coming with it. However, I´ve also heard that it´s only classified as diarrhea if that happens 2-3 times a day and not just one time.

I guess it´s all down to your personal understanding of it