How to Poop Less Often

Managing Your Diet

Monitor the types and amounts of food you consume. Often times, frequent trips to the bathroom can be indicative of a food allergy or intolerance. Keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat and what time you eat it. When you have a bowel movement, chart this in your diary as well. Eventually, a pattern may emerge. For example, perhaps every time you eat spicy food, you have an increased number of bowel movements.

Eat only at meal times. Snacking can add to the amount of poop you will need to get rid of from your body, and also increases the regularity and continuity with which stool progresses to its exit. If you must eat, eat moderately.

Take care in consuming dairy products. Lactose intolerance is a common condition found in adults. People who are lactose intolerant cannot break down the lactose sugar found in dairy products. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. You may be able to keep eating cheese. Some people with lactose intolerance can still tolerate cheese, as many varieties have low amounts of lactose. Generally, the more aged the cheese is, the less lactose it contains. Check the label of dairy products. Lactose is a type of sugar, so the less sugar a dairy product has, the less lactose it will likely contain.

Avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Caffeine stimulates the muscles that are responsible for producing stool. Try replacing caffeinated drinks with water, juice, or tea. Try cutting down on the number of caffeinated drinks you consume each day. For example, cut down from 4 cups of coffee to 2 cups of coffee per day. Alternatively, try “half-caf” coffee, which has half the caffeine of a standard cup of coffee.

Cut down on high-fiber foods. Consuming an excess of foods with high fiber content can increase the frequency of bowel movements. If you're eating an excessive amount of fruits and vegetables, which contain high amounts of fiber, you may want to cut back. The Centers for Disease Control recommends 2.5-3 cups of vegetables today for adults who exercise less than 30 minutes per day. Those who exercise heavily may consume more vegetables. Foods that are high in fiber include: Raspberries Pears Apples Spaghetti Barley Bran flakes Oatmeal Split peas Lentils Beans Artichoke Green peas Broccoli

Making Lifestyle and Health Changes

Write down a list of medications that you take. Many medications can increase bowel movement frequency or cause diarrhea. Check the package insert that came with your medication. If diarrhea or any changes in bowel frequency are listed as possible side effects, consult your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms. Adderall has diarrhea listed as a side effect. Metformin, a common medication for diabetes, also cause significant diarrhea. Check with your doctor if you are having significant GI symptoms while on metformin. Other common medications can cause diarrhea, including misoprostol, laxatives, and stool softeners.

Avoid drinking alcohol in excess. Alcohol can also cause diarrhea and may exacerbate bowel-related medical conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). [Image:Poop Less Often Step 7.jpg|center]]

Manage your stress levels. Stress may contribute to increased bowel movement frequency and can cause diarrhea. People often feel anxious about relationships, finances, education exams, or other big life events. Avoid the stressors you are able to avoid. This can include changing your plans to avoid areas of high traffic, or avoiding a particularly difficult coworker. Treat your time as valuable. Learn to say no when someone asks you to help with a last-minute deadline or other activity that you really just don’t have time for. Communicate with respect. If your neighbor is running a basketball tournament out of their house and creating a traffic snarl in your neighborhood, politely ask the person to change their behavior. Perhaps they could encourage parents to carpool or park farther away. Be up front about how much time you can allocate to a project, conversation, or other activity. For example, if your coworker rushes up to you just as you’re about to leave for a meeting, politely tell them that you only have 5 minutes to listen. Forgive and move forward. Staying angry and holding a grudge takes energy – your energy. Talk with the person who has wronged you and honestly express your feelings. Know that their answer may or may not be what you want to hear. Sometimes shrugging your shoulders and moving on is the best thing you can do for you. Be adaptable and flexible. As important as it is to have a plan for many things, life always throws us curveballs. Ask yourself if having a pristine house is truly important, or if simply having a clean house is acceptable to you. Evaluate whether or not the thing that is bothering you will really matter a year or five years from now.

Seeking the Advice of a Medical Professional

Know when you are pooping too much. Generally speaking several bowel movements per day is considered more than normal, especially if this changes suddenly. Increased bowel movements or changes in the consistency, volume, or appearance of poop can indicate an underlying medical condition.

Seek medical attention if your bowel movements are accompanied by abdominal pain, mucus, pus, or blood. Be prepared to inform your healthcare provider about your bowel habits, and the typical consistency, frequency, and appearance of your poop.

Understand diseases that can cause increased frequency of bowel movements. Celiac disease involves an immune reaction to gluten found in wheat, barley, and rye products. You should follow a gluten-free diet. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease of the bowel. It is a disorder that can affect any part of the bowel from mouth to anus. Hyperthyroidism, also called overactive thyroid, can cause diarrhea and changes in bowel movement frequency. Hypothyroidism can cause constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause constipation and diarrhea. You may also have issues with your skin, joints, eyes, and bones. Ulcerative colitis is another kind of inflammatory bowel disease that usually affects only the colon. Blood tends to be associated with this disorder. Many medications can cause changes in bowel movement frequency.