Discover 14 reasons why your bathroom schedule is off, according to gastroenterologist, Dr. Sarah Robbins, MD.

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Ever suddenly noticed its been a little longer than usual since you last had a bowel movement?

Welcome to your thirties (only joking).

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gastroenterologist, nutrition and lifestyle medicine specialist, and founder ofSarah Robbins MD

Whats more, Dr. Robbins reiterates that everyone will have their own definition of a usual pattern.

The key is in understandingyournormal.

Irregular stool consistency: The Bristol Stool Chart categorizes stool into seven types.

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Types three and four are considered normal.

Straining:Needing to strain consistently during bowel movements might indicate constipation or other underlying issues.

This is a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

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Abdominal discomfort:Mild and consistent abdominal discomfort can signal irregular bowel movements or other digestive imbalances.

Bad breath:Persistent bad breath, despite good oral hygiene, can sometimes be linked to digestive issues.

Changes in appetite:A sudden loss of appetite or feeling full quickly might be linked to digestive irregularities.

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

gastroenterologist, nutrition and lifestyle medicine specialist, and founder ofSarah Robbins MD

Weight changes:Unexplained weight loss or gain could be linked to changes in digestion or absorption.

Mood changes:The gut-brain connection is strong.

Frequent headaches:Some individuals with irregular bowel habits or other digestive issues might experience more frequent headaches.

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Regular exercise can promote healthy bowel function, while a sedentary lifestyle can lead to constipation, she says.

Travel and stress can affect bowel habits, too, and same goes for medications.

Lastly, several medical conditions can impact bowel regularity.

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(Even things like food intolerances orUTIs can cause diarrhea, leading to irregularity.)

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