Dr Zac reveals the truth about common bathroom habits
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner explores the smelly truth about farts.
QUESTION: Hey, Dr Zac, I have a bit of a weird one for you – why do some people poo like clockwork every day, while others might only go a couple of times a week? I thought not going at least once a day was a sign something was wrong. And while we're at it, someone once told me that if your farts don't smell, it means you're basically a health guru. Is that true, or are they just talking rubbish? – Clara, 36, New Farm, Brisbane.
ANSWER: Great question, Clare – poo and farts. Let's face it, we all deal with them, but they're not the topics you bring up at a dinner party. Still, your digestive system can reveal a lot about your overall health, and getting to know how it works could make all the difference in how you feel day-to-day. Let's take a deep dive into what's normal and when it's time to worry.
How often should you be doing a poo?
The first question everyone wonders about: how often should you poo? The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Medical guidelines suggest that anywhere between three times a week and three times a day is perfectly normal. So, whether you're in the 'I'm going multiple times a day' camp or the 'I haven't been since last Tuesday' group, it doesn't automatically mean something's wrong – unless you're experiencing discomfort or other digestive issues.
What really matters is how your body feels. If you're not experiencing pain or discomfort, then chances are your body is functioning just fine. But if things are feeling off, it's time to listen up.
The trouble with too much pooing
Some people seem to live in the bathroom, with multiple trips a day becoming their routine. If you're going more than three times a day, it could signal an underlying issue, even if you feel okay otherwise. It could be caused by dietary triggers like spicy foods, dairy, or too much caffeine. These foods irritate the digestive system and make things move a little faster than you'd like.
Another possible cause is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which can lead to urgent, loose stools. IBS isn't just a bit of an upset stomach – it can impact your daily life and routine. If you're noticing consistent discomfort, you might be dealing with this common digestive disorder.
Sometimes, it's not IBS at all but a gut infection causing the issues. If you're experiencing fever, vomiting, or general misery along with loose stools, a stomach bug could be at fault.
Certain medications – especially antibiotics – can also mess with your gut's delicate balance, causing more frequent bathroom breaks.
If you're spending more time in the bathroom than anywhere else and it's affecting your quality of life, don't ignore it. Long-term diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, cramps, and nutrient malabsorption.
Struggling to go? Here's what that means
On the flip side, some people struggle with the opposite issue – constipation. If you're only going a couple of times a week or find yourself straining to go, it could be time to talk to a doctor. Constipation is usually marked by hard, dry stools. When stool moves too slowly through the colon, it becomes compact and hard, making it painful to pass.
If you're straining to go, that's another red flag. It's not just uncomfortable – it can also lead to more serious issues. Bloating and abdominal discomfort are also common signs, as your system tries to move things along but gets stuck.
Chronic constipation can lead to more serious complications, including haemorrhoids, anal fissures, or even fecal impaction, so it's worth addressing sooner rather than later.
The myth about farting: Do odourless farts mean you're healthy?
Let's unpack your question: if your farts don't smell, does it mean you're a health guru. As with most myths, it's not quite that simple.
The truth is that the odour of your farts comes down to what you eat. Certain foods – like beans, cabbage, and dairy – are known for producing more gas and, let's be honest, some pretty stinky bum burps! If your farts are odourless, it could just mean your digestive system is processing these foods without much bacterial fermentation. But that doesn't necessarily mean you're healthier than the next person. It just means your gut is doing a good job of keeping things neutral.
However, if you're experiencing excessive gas, bloating, or discomfort, it could signal an underlying gut issue like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or IBS. In that case, it's worth checking in with a doctor.
Tips for a happy gut (and more tolerable farts)
Now that we've covered the basics, here's how to keep your digestive system – and your farts – happy:
• Eating plenty of fibre, staying hydrated, and getting regular physical activity can all help keep your system running smoothly. Fibre, found in foods like oats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, adds bulk to stool and helps things move through your system. Just be sure to increase your fibre intake gradually to avoid bloating.
• Drinking enough water is crucial, too. Without enough hydration, your stool can become hard and difficult to pass. Aim for at least 8 cups of water a day, especially if you're eating more fibre.
• Physical activity is also important. Regular exercise helps stimulate digestion, so even a walk after meals can make a big difference.
• If bloating or digestive discomfort is a problem, probiotics might be worth a try. These beneficial bacteria help balance your gut and improve digestion. Look for strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus for diarrhoea or Bifidobacterium for constipation.
• And finally, don't hold it in. When you feel the urge to go, don't ignore it! Putting off bowel movements can lead to harder stools and make things even more uncomfortable later on.
So, Clara, if you're not experiencing pain, bloating, or discomfort, your digestive system is probably working just fine. But if something feels off – whether it's blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, or consistent pain – it's time to see a doctor.
Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
‘Why I think a long life might not always mean a better life'
OPINION Who decided that a long life is the best life? I get that people are afraid of death because at least you know what's happening in this world – but do you really want to live forever? Sam of Melbourne recently wrote into Ask Doctor Zac column, prompted by the ubiquitous democracy sausage pushed by school fundraising groups on election day, to inquire whether he was at risk of developing cancer due to his love of processed meats. Dr Turner's advice was that you don't have to give up on the snags entirely but one should keep in mind that 'even small daily amounts of processed meat (just 50g a day – that's two slices of ham) can increase your risk of bowel cancer by 18 per cent'. And to that I say – so what? We're all going to die. Death and people who drive 20km/h under the limit speeding up when they come to an overtaking lane. There's nothing surer. So why sit around worrying about what it is that will eventually claim your life? Perhaps if your diet consists exclusively of sausages and bacon, washed down with lashings of chocolate milk, then you ought to reconsider your habits but, otherwise, stop worrying about it. If they had it their way, public health zealots would rid the world of anything remotely fun or tasty because... well, to be honest, I'm quite sure why. I do know that if they had their way it would sap most of us of the will to live, which is rather ironic. The official recommendations for treating your body like a temple are comical. You should have precisely zero cigarettes ever because 'every cigarette is doing you damage'. And that may well be true but let's be real – it's not people who had a few durries on the weekend in their 20s who are dropping with lung cancer. The World Health Organisation deems processed meat a Group 1 carcinogen which, as a racing man, led me to think they must be the best carcinogen. From a taste perspective, I was right. Red meat is a Group 2A carcinogen which means it probably causes bowel cancer. The Cancer Council says you should only eat 455g of cooked, lean red meat every week and suggests that 400g of raw red meat, once cooked, is enough to feed a family of four. Perhaps a family of four toddlers. They recommend that you 'eat little, if any, processed meat'. The Health Department says you should have no more than 10 standard drinks a week. That makes your allotment six schooners of beer a week, or a bit more than a bottle of wine. And God forbid you have more than four standard drinks in one sitting because, under government guidelines, that makes you a binge drinker. A standard glass of wine is about 1.5 standard drinks so one glass before dinner, one with and one after – which would be pretty standard for a lot of people – and you're in trouble. I often joke that I treat my body like a temple – I desecrate it. I'm not interested in making sure I live forever because I'm far more inclined to enjoy myself while I have breath in my lungs. To me, clean living is showering twice a day. As the saying goes – I'm here for a good time, not a long time. That doesn't mean I want to drop dead tomorrow and I would take precautions if I was told that was likely but I'm not stressed about my mortality. I drink quite a bit of red wine, I like a few pints before lunch, I eat quite a bit of blue cheese and I go through at least two cans of Coke Zero a day (sometimes mixed with bourbon). If that shaves five years off my life then so be it. I'd rather have fun than fastidiously look after my body so I can live to 98 – only to discover that I'm demented and can't remember my family anymore because we weren't designed to live that long. If you're enjoying yourself, and you're not causing anyone else harm, then play on.
Courier-Mail
24-05-2025
- Courier-Mail
Dr Zac Turner reveals if cheese can give you nightmares
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eat. Followed categories will be added to My News. Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner explores the truth about cheese. QUESTION: Dear Dr Zac, I've heard this crazy rumour that eating cheese before bed can give you nightmares. I love eating cheese and crackers after dinner while a watch a good movie, but lately, I've been waking up from some pretty whack dreams. – Effie, 29, Bankstown, NSW ANSWER: Double cream or troubled dreams? Let's slice into the truth. Blame it on Charles Dickens. In A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge famously blames his ghostly visions on 'a crumb of cheese.' But is your cheesy snack really to blame? In 2005, the British Cheese Board set out to investigate. They gave 200 people different cheeses before bed and tracked their dreams. The verdict? No link between cheese and nightmares. In fact, some cheeses — especially cheddar — were even associated with more pleasant dreams. Brie-lliant, you said? Still, plenty of people swear their dreams go wild after a cheese-fuelled snack. So let's look at what might really be happening under the rind. Cheese contains tyramine, a naturally occurring compound that, in theory, can stimulate the brain by triggering the release of norepinephrine — a chemical linked to alertness, and potentially, disrupted sleep. Can cheese cause nightmares? Picture: iStock But here's the thing: • Most people eat 30–50 grams of cheese per sitting — just a few slices or cubes. • That delivers only a tiny amount of tyramine — nowhere near enough to whip your brain into dream overdrive. • And unless you're taking a rare class of antidepressants called MAO inhibitors, your body breaks it down just fine. In other words, your late-night snack is far more likely to be creamy than dreamy. And let's not forget: cheese is rarely eaten solo. If you're working your way through a cheese board with a few glasses of wine during that movie, alcohol could be the issue. Alcohol: it's a major sleep disrupter: • It suppresses REM sleep early on, then triggers REM rebound, leading to vivid, intense dreams. • The result? You wake feeling like you've been drowning in an ocean of fondue all night. Alcohol is a major sleep disrupter. Picture: iStock So if your dreams are melting into madness, it might not be the blue … but the red, rose, or white that's at the wheel. Additionally, high-fat meals — especially those rich in saturated fats — can throw off your sleep. Studies show these foods are linked to lighter, more fragmented sleep and reduced deep sleep, which can lead to frequent wakings and more vivid or unsettling dreams. Bottom line? Unless you're on a rare medication that affects how you process tyramine, your cheese is off the hook. If anything, it's the rich meals, late timing, and alcohol pairings that stir up those surreal night narratives. And remember: Cheese is best paired with unpressed grapes and an early night. Sweet dreams — and yes, you can still keep your crackers. – Dr Zac Got a question? Email askdrzac@ Follow Dr Zac on Instagram Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors. Originally published as Dr Zac Turner reveals the truth about cheese and nightmares
Mercury
20-05-2025
- Mercury
Indiana Dalton hails Tasman Bridge turning purple for IBD Day
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News. When the Tasman Bridge turned purple on Monday night, it meant more to Indiana Dalton than most. The monument was one of many across Tasmania turning purple for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day. The 20-year-old, who had a long and arduous journey to being diagnosed with Crohn's, says the display was very important. 'I don't know if people in Hobart really understand what it means because we do have our bridge and places light up like that all the time,' Miss Dalton said. 'But it's important to me and a lot of people in my support group. 'They [Hobart] probably think it's just another colour, but it's actually a really important day to spread awareness for IBD.' She described Crohn's as a disease that never goes away. 'It's always sort of lingering in the back of your mind, even if you're in remission, there's that thought of you're not, you might not be in remission by next week. It's very unpredictable,' she said. Now taking Stelara injections every week to manage the condition following multiple surgeries, the most recent in January, Miss Dalton said she was now able to eat foods like steak and nuts. The lifelong incurable condition impacts 180,000 Australians, but it still remains a mystery to many, including doctors, Kingston local said. 'It's something they've heard of but they actually don't know,' she said. She said it was a disease becoming much more common in young people. 'Yet no one really knows about it or what it is,' Miss Dalton said. 'So I think raising awareness, people could get diagnosed younger, on the right treatment plans and avoid potentially what I had to go through, or avoid long term complications. 'Just so people have an understanding of what it is and it doesn't just mean that you go to the toilet 20 times a day, there's a lot more to it. 'It also looks different for everyone.'
