The frequency of toilet visits in adults can vary significantly.
Contrary to popular belief, bowel movements do not always have to occur daily, said gastroenterologist Tatyana Golovchanskaya.
According to the doctor, the frequency of stool in adults can vary significantly, and infrequent defecation alone does not indicate illness. She explained that the time it takes for food to reach the intestines varies from person to person. Factors such as age, the quantity and composition of food, physical activity, stress, travel, and even the habit of suppressing urges can affect the speed of this process.
"In general, the time for digestion is individual. In an adult, food passes through the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and small intestine) on average in six hours. After that, in the large intestine, it can take another 36 to 48 hours before the fecal matter reaches the rectum and the urge to defecate is formed," noted Golovchanskaya.
That is why, according to her, daily stool cannot be considered the only sign of normalcy. It is much more important how a person feels and whether they experience unpleasant symptoms in the absence of daily defecation. "If stool does not occur every day, but it is soft, does not cause pain or discomfort, contains no blood, and does not require significant straining, and defecation occurs more than three times a week, this can be a normal variant for an adult," emphasized the doctor.
