Tag: Real Talk Poop

Constipation Crisis: Why Nurses Don’t Poop Like They Used To 💩🚽

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A gut-check from a wound & ostomy nurse who knows the struggle is real (and real slow)

Let’s talk about something near, dear, and backed up—our bowels.
If you’re a nurse (or anyone in healthcare), you already know: Nurses don’t poop like they used to. Somewhere between the 12-hour shifts, too much caffeine, too little hydration, and holding our bladder until it feels like a personal achievement… our guts have thrown in the towel.

As a nurse, (most of them spent talking about poop more than most people talk about the weather), I’ve seen it all. From chronic constipation to stress diarrhea, to the poor soul who swore she hadn’t pooped since the last full moon—gut health is no joke. And it’s way more connected to our skin, mood, energy, and wound healing than most people realize.

So today, I’m diving deep into the constipation crisis, nurse edition.

🚫 Why Nurses Are the Constipation Poster Children

Let’s break it down, shall we?

1. We Never Sit Still (Except on the Toilet, Praying for a Movement)

On our feet all day, running from room to room, charting while standing… we burn calories but somehow forget to drink water or even breathe properly. Hydration? Fiber? Regular meals? LOL.

2. Caffeine Is Our Blood Type

Coffee to wake up. More coffee to stay awake. Maybe an energy drink for the night shift. That much caffeine can dehydrate you AND slow digestion, even though it’s technically a stimulant. Betrayal.

3. We Ignore Our Bodies

Feel the urge to poop at 9 a.m.? Sorry, you’re in wound care rounds until noon. By the time you’re free, your colon has emotionally shut down and decided to store that stool indefinitely.

4. Shift Work & Stress = Gut Confusion

Your body loves a rhythm. Your schedule? Absolute chaos. Add stress, skipped meals, no sleep, and your microbiome starts googling “How to apply for early retirement.”

💩 Constipation Isn’t Just Inconvenient—It’s a Skin + Gut Issue

This is where my love of gut health and skin care nerdiness collide. Constipation isn’t just a plumbing problem—it impacts:

  • Detoxification: If you’re not pooping, you’re reabsorbing toxins meant to exit. That can show up as acne, dull skin, breakouts, and more.
  • Inflammation: Sluggish bowels can increase systemic inflammation, which slows down wound healing and messes with your skin barrier.
  • Hormone Balance: Estrogen is excreted via the gut. If you’re not going, hormones recirculate. Hello, mood swings and breakouts.
  • Mood + Energy: Your gut helps make neurotransmitters. A backed-up colon can lead to foggy thinking, fatigue, and straight-up irritability.

👩‍⚕️ Nurse Truth: If you’re constipated and cranky, it’s probably connected.

🚽 What Can You Actually Do (That Doesn’t Involve Quitting Your Job)?

Yes, we’re busy. But your gut deserves more than a once-a-week courtesy flush. Here’s what I suggest:

✅ Hydrate Like It’s Your Side Hustle

Keep a giant water bottle at your station. Chug during charting. Add electrolytes if plain water bores you.

✅ Fiber Up—But Gently

Start with chia seeds, flaxseed, oats, or berries. Don’t go from 5g to 30g in one day, unless you enjoy bloating and regret.

✅ Magnesium Is Magic

Magnesium citrate or glycinate helps move things along and eases muscle tension (which we ALL need). Just start low and go slow.

✅ Move It, Even Just a Bit

Desk job? Stretch. Walk the hallway. Do squats in the breakroom (bonus: coworkers think you’re fitness goals).

✅ Poop Routine = Gut Gold

Try to poop at the same time each day. Sit. Breathe. Do not scroll. Your colon deserves your full attention.

✅ Probiotics + Prebiotics

Balance your gut flora with fermented foods (yogurt, kimchi, kefir) and prebiotic-rich foods (onions, garlic, bananas).

🧻 Final Flush: Nurses Deserve Smooth Moves, Too

Let’s not normalize constipation. Let’s normalize talking about it—and doing something about it. Because regular poops aren’t just about comfort. They’re about whole-body health—from your skin to your stress level to how well that surgical site heals.

So here’s to fiber, hydration, and pooping like a nurse who finally remembered she has a digestive system.

Need help getting your gut back on track?
Stick around. I share real talk, skin tips, gut-loving recipes, and more—straight from a nurse who’s seen the (bowel) light.

💩 Because constipation may be common, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal.

💩 What Your Poop Is Telling You (And When to Worry)

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From a Nurse Who Talks About Poop Like It’s Her Job—Because It Is

Let’s normalize something real quick: talking about poop.
Because as a nurse with 22 years in the game—and plenty of time spent in wound and ostomy care—let me tell you, poop is one of the most honest health reporters you’ll ever meet. Forget the fancy wearables and wellness apps; your stool is the original body feedback system. It tells you everything from hydration status to digestion drama to whether or not your kombucha obsession is paying off.

So yes, today we’re going there. I’m in my 40s, and I’ve had more conversations about poop than most people have had about their careers—and I’m proud of it. Let’s break down what your daily (or not-so-daily) deposit is saying about your overall health, and when it’s time to raise an eyebrow… or call your doc.

💩 First, What Is “Normal” Poop?

Welcome to the Bristol Stool Chart—every nurse’s favorite dinner topic. It classifies poop into 7 types:

  • Type 1: Hard pellets (aka rabbit poop). Hello, constipation.
  • Type 2: Lumpy sausage. Still constipated, but working on it.
  • Type 3 & 4: Smooth sausage or soft log. 🎯 Gold standard of poop.
  • Type 5: Soft blobs with clear edges. Okay, maybe had too much fiber.
  • Type 6 & 7: Mushy or watery. Now we’re in diarrhea territory.

Ideal poop? Type 3 or 4. Smooth, soft, easy to pass, and about the length of a banana. Bonus points if you barely need toilet paper. 🧻

🧠 What Poop Can Tell You About Your Health

1. Color Commentary

  • Brown = Gold star! That’s bilirubin doing its job.
  • Green = Fast transit time or too much kale. Not usually a crisis.
  • Yellow = Fat malabsorption (watch for floating, greasy stools).
  • Black or red = 🚨 Call your provider. Could indicate bleeding.
  • Pale, clay-colored = Possible bile duct issue. Check in with your doc.

👩‍⚕️ Nurse tip: If your stool looks like a Halloween decoration or smells like a dead raccoon in the sun, it’s worth checking out.

2. Consistency Is Key

If you’re pooping rabbit pellets on Monday and have a butt volcano by Wednesday, something’s off. Stress, hydration, hormones, food intolerances, antibiotics—all of these affect your gut rhythm.

  • Constipation: Drink more water, move more, up your fiber. Magnesium citrate is my go-to sidekick.
  • Diarrhea: Rule out infection, food triggers, or gut imbalances. Too many sugar-free gums can cause chaos too—yes, I’m looking at you, xylitol.

3. Odor Clues (Yes, the Smell Matters)

All poop stinks—but sudden, knock-you-out foulness could mean:

  • Poor digestion
  • Infection (think C. diff)
  • Food intolerance (hello, lactose!)
  • Malabsorption (especially if it’s oily or sticky)

Don’t ignore new stink levels that linger. Your poop should not require a hazmat evacuation plan.

🚽 When to Worry (A Nurse’s Real Talk)

Here’s when poop deserves more than a passing thought:

  • Blood (bright or dark)
  • Ongoing diarrhea or constipation (more than a few days)
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Weight loss without trying
  • Floating, greasy stools (every time)
  • Changes in color or consistency that last over a week

If your gut’s been acting like a moody teenager for more than a week, it’s time to bring in a professional.

🥬 How to Make Your Poop… Well, Poop Better

Healthy poop starts with gut-friendly habits. Here’s what I recommend (and practice myself):

  • Fiber daily: Aim for 25–35g. Veggies, fruits, oats, chia seeds.
  • Hydrate like a boss: Water helps everything move.
  • Move your body: Exercise = better motility.
  • Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut—or a good supplement.
  • Prebiotics: Feed the good bugs with garlic, onions, asparagus, etc.
  • Watch your stress: Cortisol and your colon are NOT friends.

💬 Final Flush

You don’t need to be obsessed with your poop—but you should be checking in with it. Your stool is basically your gut’s way of texting you, and ignoring it is like leaving your doctor on read.

So the next time you drop a deuce, take a peek. Is it shaped like a banana? Does it flush with pride? Great. If not—your body might be nudging you to make a few gut-friendly tweaks.

And hey, if you’ve got an ostomy, your output tells a story too! (But that’s another post—coming soon.)

Here’s to healthy guts, glowing skin, and poop that makes you proud. 💩✨

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