What should you tell your GP about bowel changes?

First: when to book

The NHS bowel cancer symptoms page lists these, and says it’s important to get checked:

• changes in your poo that aren’t usual for you, like softer poo, diarrhea or constipation
• needing to poo more or less often than usual
• blood in your poo, which may look red or black, or bleeding from your bottom
• often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been
• tummy pain or a lump in your tummy
• bloating
• weight loss without trying
• feeling very tired or short of breath

The NHS stresses that these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions. Having them doesn’t mean you have cancer, but they deserve a check by a GP. And it adds: try not to be embarrassed, the doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.

What to tell your GP

Jot this down before you go:

1. What changed. “My poo has been looser,” “I’m going 4 times a day,” “I see blood on the paper.”
2. When it started. A date or rough week.
3. How often. Every day? A few times a week?
4. Your usual Bristol type, and now. “I’m usually a 4, lately mostly 6s.”
5. Blood. Color (bright red or dark), on the paper, in the bowl, or mixed in.
6. Other symptoms. Tummy pain, bloating, weight loss, tiredness, fever.
7. Food and drink. Anything that seems to make it better or worse.
8. Medicines and supplements. Including anything new, and laxatives.
9. Family history. Bowel cancer, IBD or coeliac disease in close relatives.
10. Recent travel or illness. A stomach bug, antibiotics, a trip.

What your GP may ask or do

The NIH says when diagnosing IBS, doctors will ask about your symptoms, family history, diet, medicines and recent infections, and may do a physical exam. They might also order tests, like blood tests or a stool test, to check for other conditions. Your GP will explain what’s needed and why.

Using the Bristol scale

The Bristol stool scale (type 1 hard lumps to type 7 watery) is used by doctors and nurses, so it’s a shared language. NHS England publishes a Bristol stool chart for this reason. Saying “mostly type 6 for three weeks” is a lot easier than searching for the right words.

Bring a log

1 Oct  Poop: type 4
5 Oct  Poop: type 6, type 6
6 to 20 Oct  Poop: mostly type 6, 3 times a day
14 Oct  Paper note: bright red on toilet paper
20 Oct  Paper note: booked GP

PoopAI’s weekly reports and charts show your Bristol types over time, which you can simply show on your phone. Stealth HealthAI mode keeps the app discreet if someone glances at your screen. We also have a printable doctor visit checklist.

Urgent help

The NHS says ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if your poo is black or dark red or you have bloody diarrhea. Call 999 or go to A&E if you’re bleeding non-stop, or there’s a lot of blood (for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large clots). Don’t drive yourself.

Wrap-up

Your GP has heard it all. Book if a change in your poo isn’t settling or you’ve seen blood. Bring dates, Bristol types and a short list, and the appointment does most of the work for you.