Is it normal to have bowel movements twice a day?

Speaking of defecation, this is something that almost everyone experiences every day. It is not only the body excreting food residues, but also a detoxification process. The frequency and shape of bowel movements can show whether a person's body is healthy. People around you will say that once a day should be appropriate, and it is best to defecate as soon as you get up every day. So, is it normal to defecate twice a day? Let’s learn about this issue together today.

The bowel movements of normal people vary greatly, which is related to individual differences, living habits, and especially eating habits. Generally speaking, a normal person defecates 1 to 2 times a day, and some defecate once every 2 to 3 days (this is normal as long as there is no difficulty in defecation or other discomfort), but most people (about more than 60%) defecate once a day.

If the following situations occur, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a detailed examination: understanding the frequency and time of bowel movements, as well as the amount, color, quality, odor, feeling during bowel movements and accompanying symptoms, etc., is important for diagnosing digestive system diseases.

Constipation accompanied by high fever and irritability is a symptom of intestinal heat; pale complexion and slow pulse are symptoms of cold constipation, which is a symptom of intestinal cold; constipation in the elderly with a thin and rapid pulse is a symptom of spleen yin deficiency; loose stools, poor appetite and abdominal distension are symptoms of spleen yang deficiency; abdominal pain and diarrhea with reduced pain after diarrhea and abdominal distension and belching are symptoms of food poisoning; depression, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and uncomfortable defecation are symptoms of liver depression invading the spleen; abdominal pain and diarrhea before dawn are symptoms of spleen and kidney yang deficiency. Burning sensation in the anus during defecation indicates damp-heat in the large intestine. Tenesmus is seen in dysentery and rectal prolapse, and is caused by dampness in the large intestine or spleen deficiency and sinking of qi in the middle. Blood in the stool is bright red and is near blood, which means disease in the large intestine or hemorrhoid bleeding. Dark or tarry blood is far blood, which is mostly caused by bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by hard stools like sheep dung, accompanied by paroxysmal abdominal pain, which can be temporarily relieved after defecation. The stool contains mucus but no pus or blood. The stool of colorectal cancer continues to become thinner in shape, and there may be fresh blood on the surface of the stool. Congenital megacolon is seen in newborns, characterized by reduced meconium excretion after birth, or persistent constipation and abdominal distension.

The above gives the answer to whether it is normal to have bowel movements twice a day. It is normal, but it also reminds you to go to the hospital for examination if any abnormal situation occurs, because there must be a problem somewhere in the body. For example, if the frequency of bowel movements increases suddenly and the bowel movements are abnormal, there is bleeding, etc., you must go to the hospital for timely treatment so that you can recover soon.