{"id":47426,"date":"2025-08-06T08:53:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T08:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/47426\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T08:53:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T08:53:11","slug":"how-to-poop-better-according-to-gi-doctors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/47426\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Poop Better, According to GI Doctors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research shows that up to 20 percent<\/a> of Americans deal with chronic constipation. If you\u2019re part of that no-sign-up-required club, you\u2019ve probably tried some of the buzzier remedies\u2014drinking coffee, eating prunes<\/a>, taking a probiotic supplement<\/a>\u2014in the pursuit of regularity. But if you\u2019re still chasing that perfect \u201cghost poop<\/a>,\u201d don\u2019t give up just yet: There are plenty of other doctor-backed tools to try.<\/p>\n

We asked gastroenterologists about the habits they recommend for better BMs, and they delivered. Browse easy switches for a happier, healthier gut<\/a> below.<\/p>\n

Our top picks<\/p>\n

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle<\/a>, $40Squatty Potty Simple Bathroom Toilet Stool<\/a>, $23Tushy Classic 3.0 Bidet<\/a>, $129 $99Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock<\/a>, $170WalkingPad C2 Mini Foldable Walking Treadmill<\/a>, $499 $449Lululemon The Mat<\/a>, $94<\/p>\n

In this article<\/p>\n

AccordionItemContainerButton<\/p>\n

1. A trusty water bottle<\/p>\n

\"Owala<\/a><\/p>\n

Owala<\/p>\n

FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle<\/p>\n

Start by drinking more water<\/a> (it really is that good for you). \u201cSound digestion relies heavily on fluid intake,\u201d Carlton Thomas, MD<\/a>, a board-certified gastroenterologist and host of the Butt Honestly podcast<\/a>, tells SELF. Staying hydrated helps your mouth make enough saliva\u2014and your body needs saliva to break down the food you eat for better digestion, he says.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdequate hydration is also important for stimulating peristaltic waves, which are the muscle contractions that move food along the digestive tract,\u201d Shawn Khodadadian, MD<\/a>,, a gastroenterologist with Manhattan Gastroenterology in New York, tells SELF. Plus, water helps dissolve nutrients that are essential to digestion, like fiber. Turns out, if you\u2019re not drinking enough fluids, fiber can\u2019t do its job\u2014which means you\u2019re more likely to feel constipated and bloated, he says.<\/p>\n

Keeping a water bottle close by can make it easier to stay hydrated all day long, says Dr. Thomas. This Owala one has a wide-mouth opening for taking big swigs and a straw spout for sipping\u2014and almost the entire SELF team can vouch for it<\/a>. .<\/p>\n

We\u2019re also fans of this bottle\u2019s insulation, which can keep H2O at your perfect temperature for hours. Pro tip: Warm and room-temperature water is usually best for encouraging bowel movements because it relaxes your digestive muscles, while cold water can cause them to contract, according to Dr. Thomas. (But the best water is the kind you\u2019ll actually drink.)<\/p>\n

AccordionItemContainerButton<\/p>\n

2. A simple (but smart) stool<\/p>\n

\"Squatty<\/a><\/p>\n

Squatty Potty<\/p>\n

Simple Bathroom Toilet Stool<\/p>\n

If you have to strain every time you sit<\/a>, Dr. Khodadadian suggests this iconic stool. Designed to prop up your feet while you poop, the Squatty Potty puts you into alignment for a smoother BM. \u201cThe squat position straightens the angle of the anal canal, which creates a more direct pathway for stool to pass through and reduces straining,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The Simple Squatty Potty<\/a>, which rings up at around $20, will get the job done. But if you\u2019re not into white plastic, check out the brand\u2019s (slightly pricier) foldable bamboo option<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AccordionItemContainerButton<\/p>\n

3. A handy bidet<\/p>\n

\"Tushy<\/a><\/p>\n

Put the wipes down. \u201cButt wipes disrupt the local bacterial flora in your butt\u2014a.k.a. the butt microbiome\u2014and create inflammation,\u201d Dr. Thomas says. Over time, that combo can make it more difficult to go.<\/p>\n

To the rescue? A good bidet<\/a>, which uses a stream of water for a gentle (but thorough) clean. That means less wiping with toilet paper, which can be a game changer\u2014especially if you\u2019re dealing with hemorrhoids<\/a> or sensitivity down there, he says.<\/p>\n

The Tushy Classic 3.0 is favorite among SELF staffers for its price point, easy-to-install design, and deep cleansing effect. (It even won a SELF Healthy Home Award<\/a> last year.) Also nice is its intuitive dial control, which allows you to tweak the water pressure as needed.<\/p>\n

AccordionItemContainerButton<\/p>\n

4. A soothing\u2014not scary\u2014alarm clock<\/p>\n

\"Hatch<\/a><\/p>\n

Hatch<\/p>\n

Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock<\/p>\n

\u201cMaintaining consistent waking and sleeping times support your gut clocks, which will improve overall gut function, reduce digestive symptoms, and harmonize your digestive patterns,\u201d says David Clarke, MD<\/a>, a board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine specialist who\u2019s also the president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS), a nonprofit organization that\u2019s dedicated to ending chronic pain. TL;DR: Adjusting your sleep schedule<\/a> can train your body to poop more predictably.<\/p>\n

Waking up at the same time every day and getting some sunlight first thing in the A.M. is ideal because it supports your circadian rhythms, but that\u2019s not always realistic, says Dr. Clarke. An alarm clock\u2014especially one placed across the room from your bed, so you can\u2019t hit snooze\u2014can help you stick to a routine, he says.<\/p>\n