Bloating and changes in bowel habits: causes and investigations
Many people are concerned about their bowel habits and if they’re healthy, but in reality, there is considerable variation in what is considered normal. Some may pass stool three times daily, while others may do so three times per week without concern. What matters most is consistency and comfort, rather than frequency alone. Thus, patients should pay attention to changes in their bowels, as it may indicate something is wrong. In this article, a consultant gastroenterologist describes how bowel habits can vary, how bloating contributes, and what these two things can reveal about our bodies.