As your poops plunge into the toilet water, you notice something odd: Bubbles form and rise to the surface and then pop. Can this mean a disease?
Or is it more of a mechanical issue involving something with the texture of bowel movements falling into an enclosed space of water, creating natural bubbles?
What’s Really Going On
“Air bubbles that are in feces are gasses that are produced from the normal colonic bacteria,” says Dr. Edward Brettholz, MD, with Vanguard Gastroenterology in NYC, NY.
“Since the gasses are less dense and lighter than water, they will rise to the surface and bubbles will pop.”
And there you have it: A perfectly logical and benign explanation.
What’s more important to take note of is the color of your poops, as certain colors can indicate an assortment of problems with the colon, liver, pancreas or gallbladder.
Dr. Brettholz lectures extensively and is involved in cutting edge research trials. He has special interests and expertise in liver diseases, GERD, inflammatory bowel disease and hemorrhoid treatment. Dr. Brettholz lectures extensively and is involved in cutting-edge research trials.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/laymanzoom
