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Journalism of Courage
While memes overwhelmed the internet after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bodyguards were reportedly seen carrying his ‘poop boxes’ to the Alaska summit in the US, many overlooked their medical significance. While Putin’s retinue has followed this practice to prevent other countries from obtaining information about his health, the truth is your stool or faeces tells a great deal about your body and its well-being.
The stool is composed of undigested food particles, bacteria and other by-products, all of which can be early indicators of a developing condition that cannot be ignored.
One of the growing areas of medical research is the study of the gut microbiome through stool samples. The gut is home to a vast number of bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea that live in the intestines. These micro-organisms play an essential role in breaking down food, absorbing nutrients and regulating metabolism, including sugar levels. They also train the immune system to distinguish between beneficial and harmful organisms.
When the balance of this microbiome is disturbed, the impact can be wide-ranging. Studies have linked such disturbances to diabetes, obesity and immune-related disorders. By studying stool, doctors and researchers are able to map the microbiome and understand how these imbalances occur. This knowledge provides direction for the development of new therapies such as targeted probiotics or dietary interventions that aim to restore microbial balance. It also offers possibilities for more personalised treatment strategies, tailored to the unique microbial environment of each individual. In this way, stool is becoming a simple yet powerful tool for advancing medical science.
Stool is important in the early detection of colon cancer, which continues to be a major cause of cancer-related deaths, but outcomes improve greatly with early diagnosis. A change in bowel habits, persistent diarrhea or constipation, changes in stool consistency, blood mixed with stool, or a change in shape such as narrow, ribbon-like stools are all signals that require evaluation. Noticing these features early and consulting a doctor can make a significant difference. Medical examination of stool does not only rely on what can be seen. Tests are available that detect hidden blood or even specific molecular markers linked to cancer. These are simple, non-invasive tests that can be used for screening, especially in people at higher risk. Early identification allows treatment to begin when it is most effective and can reduce the need for more aggressive interventions later.
Doctors may use stool tests to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or to ensure the eradication of infections like H. pylori. Undigested meat fibres in the stool may be caused by pancreatitis. A low pH may be caused by poor absorption of carbohydrate or fat. Stool with a high pH may mean inflammation in the intestine (colitis), cancer or antibiotic use. Blood in the stool may be caused by bleeding in the digestive tract. White blood cells in the stool may be caused by inflammation of the intestines, such as ulcerative colitis, or a bacterial infection.
Stool analysis is useful in diagnosing malabsorption disorders. These occur when the body fails to absorb nutrients properly, leading to deficiencies in growth, energy, immunity and overall health. Stool testing can reveal whether fat or other nutrients are being lost in waste, giving doctors important clues and guiding further evaluation for corrective treatment.
(Dr Anand is senior consultant, medical oncology, Fortis, Noida)
