Stool changes from solid to liquid. Why does 'staged massive defecation' occur? The quiet mechanism revealed by the intestines

Prologue

The usual yoga class... lol

As I entered the studio, the yoga instructor and a few participants were getting quite excited about something.

Thinking they might be sharing a fun story, I laid out my yoga mat and waited for the class to start while stretching, when the yoga instructor suddenly asked me in a loud voice.

"Nakamura-san, you know, I always have a massive bowel movement, and then it gets loose afterward. Do you know why? You don't, right? Well then, this is your homework for today! (lol)"

While I was taken aback, I was given homework.

I thought I would be given homework after the class started, so I was caught off guard!

And... when someone talks about their bowel habits so energetically, it even starts to feel refreshing.

So, after looking into it... it was quite an interesting topic.

It would be a waste to just keep it as a homework report, so I decided to turn it into an article this time as well.

If this article can be of any help to you, I would be happy!

Introduction

There are days when you have a larger bowel movement than usual.

That might not be a sign of poor health, but rather a "certain report" from your body.

First, a large amount of solid stool comes out, followed by liquid stool.

Have you ever experienced this?

It might be a phenomenon that surprisingly many people have experienced at least once, but have never been able to ask anyone about.

And do you have any idea if this tends to happen in situations like the following?

• The morning after returning from a trip

• Immediately after a long period of tension ends

• A few days after returning to my parents' home

• On the night of a day when I did yoga or exercise

If even one of these applies to you, you will surely find this article even more interesting.

Why do the intestines follow an 'order'?

Actually, 'a large amount of solid stool coming out first, followed by liquid stool' is not a sign that your intestines are broken.

Rather, it is considered to be proof that your intestines are working properly.

The intestines have a function called peristalsis.

This is a movement where the intestinal walls contract like a wave to push contents forward.

Changes in diet, exercise, or posture can sometimes trigger this movement to temporarily intensify.

And the point is that there is a reason for the 'firmness' of the stool.

In the parts near the exit of the intestines (the rectum and sigmoid colon), stool has a tendency to become firm as water is absorbed while it stays there for a long time.

In other words... the reason solid stool comes out first is because it was waiting in the 'place closest to the exit'.

What follows is the content that was deeper in the intestines and still contains a lot of moisture.

From solid to liquid.

This order can be said to be the 'distance' inside the intestines appearing as time.

Movements that use the core act as a massage for the internal organs

Abdominal pressure is also involved in defecation.

The following movements increase abdominal pressure and stimulate the intestines from the outside.

• Yoga twisting poses

• Deep abdominal breathing

• Movements that use the core

• Squatting posture

It feels just like placing your hands on your internal organs and massaging them.

It is no coincidence that you are more likely to feel the urge to defecate after exercise or yoga.

Actually, it's not a 'scary story' but a 'sign of relief'

Up to this point, we have been talking about the mechanism.

And from here on is what I most want to convey this time.

What controls defecation is the autonomic nervous system.

There is the sympathetic nervous system, which governs tension, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs rest.

Defecation is more likely to occur when the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant.

When you are relaxed, when you are breathing deeply, when you are in a place where you feel safe... at such times, the body naturally switches to the parasympathetic nervous system.

This means that...

A day when you have a larger-than-usual bowel movement is a day when your body has decided somewhere that 'you don't need to be tense anymore.'

Immediately after a long period of tension ends, such as when you are traveling, at your parents' house, or have returned home.

Such moments connect here.

For tomorrow

If you know this mechanism, the next time the same thing happens, the way you interpret the situation will change.

Instead of feeling anxious and wondering, 'Why did so much come out?', you can think of it this way.

The body does not let go of anything while it is holding tension.

At the moment it relaxes, you let go for the first time.

It is thought that the same thing happens not only inside the intestines but also within the mind.

From today, it might be a good idea to use these physical changes and the sensations that tell you about your state of tension as a barometer.

Points of caution

However, if you experience severe abdominal pain, fever, persistent watery diarrhea, or if you see blood in your stool, other possibilities such as enteritis should be considered.

In such cases, we recommend that you do not push yourself and consult a medical institution.

Also, it is important to hydrate after a bowel movement and take care of your body.

Since symptoms vary from person to person, please consult a professional if you have any concerns.

If you feel that it is usually difficult to notice how much tension you are holding onto...

There is also a way to interpret these small signs from your body together.

[Reference]
・General medical knowledge regarding the physiology of the digestive system
・Research findings on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and digestive function

Thank you
for reading.

If this was even a little helpful to you,
please feel free to 'like' 💛 or share it.

Also,
I would be happy if you could comment
about your experiences with massive defecation,
any good interpretations you've found,
or other realizations,
as much as you feel comfortable doing so✨

(Outputting your thoughts
can also make them easier to remember!)

See you again
in the next article.

This was mental coach Joraku Nakamura.

A unique running club where you can run with a professional mental coach🏃