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We have heard from a number of mothers whose children suffer embarrassment because their bowel movements are so large they clog the toilet. It always makes sense to check in with the pediatrician and rule out anything serious that might be the cause. But until this reader told her story, we didn’t have a good solution to this persistent problem.
Q. My teen-age daughter has always had a problem with large stool, cantaloupe-sized, that clog the toilet. She would only have a bowel movement every couple of weeks.
We kept paint stirring sticks under the sink so she’d be able to break them up and flush the toilet. In addition to loading her diet with fruits and veggies, I’d end up giving her stool softener laxatives.
Then my mother mentioned that she had found probiotics helpful when she had a similar problem. I bought a bottle of probiotics (Ultimate Flora, in the refrigerated section) and after a few days she became regular. Her stool gradually became smaller and now it is a normal size and she no longer needs to use the paint stirrers.
The probiotics are a bit pricey, but when we ran out it wasn’t long before she was back to a cantaloupe in the toilet bowl. The probiotics on the shelf without refrigeration don’t work at all. We hope this helps another family.
A. We trust that your daughter has seen a doctor about her digestive difficulties, just to make sure there are no serious health problems.
Probiotics to the Rescue
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to re-establish a healthy balance of micro-organisms in the digestive tract. They are sometimes recommended for improving bowel function, although more studies are needed (Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, July 2011).
You are right to emphasize a diet with plenty of produce along with refrigerated probiotics, which should also be stored under refrigeration at home. These are more likely to provide the anticipated numbers of healthful microbes.
Danny
Greensboro, United States
Virginia from Charlotte brought up an interesting point about probiotics. There are so many on the market now, and they all claim to be the best. It is difficult to obtain objective information about how to evaluate probiotics. Can you guys give any advice on how to choose the best probiotic?
Marianna
B.C.
I had a similar problem well into my adult years. When I concentrated on drinking water regularly throughout the day, the problem went away. Now, if I slip up (usually in cooler seasons when I don’t ‘feel’ the need to drink as much), the problem returns. As soon as I begin drinking more water, the stool is softer and smaller and no longer clogs the pipes.
Susan
Charlotte
I had a lifetime of similar struggle and recently discovered kombucha. I drink it daily, and started home brewing, which is not only less expensive, but very fun, too. When I regularly drink some kombucha each day, no more problems- Some people don’t like the taste of it, but I find it very refreshing.
Jacqueline D.
Michigan
I used to have so many bowel issues especially irritable bowl syndrome. Most meals produced gas, cramps, toilet visits, and I was afraid to ride somewhere in a car because I might have to go. My sister told me about a product that she takes that really helped her. And since we had the same problems I thought to give it a try. Product is by GARDEN of Life and its called “Primal Defense”, HSO Probiotic Formula. Its in the refrigerated section. Comes in a 2.86 oz. jar of powder. You take one scoop in the morning (tiny little scoop enclosed) on an empty stomach. It doesn’t look very appetizing, but if you put water in a shot glass, add a scoop of the powder, you can take it like you would do with a shot of Tequila. Its gritty and I always take it either with juice or water, then take an extra bit of water after. This has been an absolute miracle for me. I have an occasional stomach ache from something I should have not eaten (and I knew it) but all in all, I am basically free from any bowel or stomach issues. It needs to be refrigerated. It has become such a habit now , that I can’t even think of breakfast without my primal defense first. Its a bit pricey, but the jar lasts for about 3-4 months. You can get it on Amazon for less than stores. Its worth it!!!
Its available at most health food stores
Nancy J
Ormond Beach Fl
Since I started taking probiotics, not only am I more regulated but I have not had indigestion. I have antacid in my car, living room, kitchen, by my bed, in my purse. I don’t need them anymore. And I have a hiatal hernia.
Cindy M. Black
Seattle, WA
I couldn’t agree more with Jorie. I use both magnesium and kefir and I do in fact crap about 6 times a day, every day. I have absolutely no GI issues and never have. I think there is simply no way to take magnesium and still be constipated.
TAURUS
NIAGARA FALLS
Goodmorning. I read with interest about the girl who only had a bowel movement once every two weeks? Something is wrong, definitely. I mostly have two a day. I am 67 years old, have had three (3) colonoscopies which revealed a pink, healthy, no polyp colon. However, I have my own way of keeping my colon healthy. Twice a year, usually April and October, I bomb my body with RAW garlic. I break up two bulbs of raw garlic into cloves. I then chew one clove at a time while taking a tablespoon of cooked white rice dipped in hot and sour soup. I chew this all at the same time. Raw garlic burns like crazy but only lasts about 30 seconds then fades off. I usually get at least 12 cloves of garlic in my system at a time. My record is 27 in one sitting. The odor takes three (3) days to leave your body and literally comes out of your pores. And, yes, it smells, but each time I had my colonoscopy done, the doctor told my wife “Tell him to keep doing it, his colon is perfect with no cancer, polyps or other problems.” I love raw onion sandwiches too. The sulfur compounds in garlic and onions “cleanse” your system naturally. Just eat raw scallions or onions and about 30 minutes later you will smell the onions in your pee. Maybe if people get back to holistic type foods, they may feel better and stop worrying about what other people might say about the smell. Thankyou for your time.
Jorie
Virginia
Magic magnesium–and kefir!
I have had issues with bowel regularity for years. For a while I would eat about 4 dried plums (prunes!) every evening at bedtime and that worked somewhat. However, about 8 months ago I began taking a magnesium supplement, 250 mg. once a day (dinner time) instead of the prunes. It seems to have solved my issues completely. Of course we all know about the laxative Milk of Magnesia but this magnesium in pill form is harmless and, at least for me, is a very gentle way and easier way to improve regularity. I checked with my physician before I began to take magnesium regularly and she said it was safe (for me) to take up to 600 mg. I don’t need to take that much to be effective. In addition, I keep aware of how much fluid I consume a day and we eat plenty of vegetables and fruits.
However, there is one more thing I do that has made a huge difference in my life. I was plagued for years with acid reflux and used Omeprazole daily for a while before I began to question what lowering the acid level in my stomach might be doing to my ability to adequately digest nutrients from food. I began to back off the dosage of the PPI, gradually stretching out the time between doses. Eventually I was down to 1 every 4 days or so–but I would still have occasional breakthroughs of reflux.
My doctor knew what I was doing and reminded me that untreated, long-term gastric reflux can have very serious health consequences so I tried also to keep that in mind. However, at Christmas last year my son-in-law brought a sample of kefir grains to share with me since he had been making kefir at their home for several months and felt much better. I was skeptical! (After all, did my son-in-law really know that much about stomach issues? Smile!). I am SO thankful I wasn’t too proud to give it a try. It’s simple to make and my husband and I drink about 5-6 ounces every evening with dinner. It is certainly an acquired taste but we drink it quickly and, actually, don’t find it at all unpleasant now. It’s probably the probiotics in kefir that have helped both the regularity AND digestion issues. I feel so much better these days. Another bonus is that I haven’t had a bladder infection since I began using home-made kefir. I can’t prove that the kefir is the reason but it seems logical that changing intestinal flora might make a difference by reducing the bacteria that so often cause bladder infections in women.
By the way, if others are interested in making their own kefir (much better and certainly cheaper than buying the commercial types) they can go online and find a source to buy a starter of the “grains” one uses to culture their own kefir at home.
Virginia
Charlotte, NC
Wish you would do a Saturday morning show on pre/probiotics. There are so MANY on the market now, and some NOT refrigerated. Would love a recommendation of what to look for in a good one (how many billions of what?) and what companies are reputable. Could you have the guy from that independent lab (Consumer Lab?) on your show to recommend?
ART
Mechanicsville, Va
I wonder if the young lady has had her appendix removed ? There has been some thoughts that the appendix functions as a reservoir for good gut microbes.