Waterloo, ON -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2015 -- The holiday season has arrived and with it comes the risk of food contamination and illness. Sadly, some individuals struggle with blood in stool and other symptoms associated with diarrhea all year long, rather than just after eating bad food. In fact, experts estimate 900,000 individuals are hospitalized for this common condition every year, with 5,000 deaths being attributed to diarrhea. Although this is a topic many don't like to discuss, the importance of doing so has never been greater, as seen by these statistics.

"One question many have is what causes diarrhea and what needs to be done. Healthy bowel movements typically consist of 75 percent water and 25 percent solid waste, and each person has their own schedule for when these bowel movements occur. Some have a bowel movement daily, yet others find they have multiple bowel movements every day. People need to monitor their own body to determine what is normal for them and what is unusual. What one person considers diarrhea another may find is completely normal for them. When something unusual occurs and continues for more than a few days, an appointment needs to be made with a medical professional," Chris Blanchet, spokesperson for All About Poo, announces.

Blood in the stool requires a prompt appointment with a doctor, however. Dark blood indicates bleeding deep within the body, thus any sign of dark red, dark brown or black blood in a bowel movement calls for medical care quickly. This may be a sign of a problem in the stomach, small intestines or another part of the digestive system, and the problem may be serious.

"Bright red blood, in contrast, often suggests the person is suffering from a broken blood vessel in the rectum or hemorrhoids. Although a visit to the doctor is still warranted, this isn't an emergency situation. The size, shape and quantity of the stool should also be noted in these situations, as the more information the doctor has, the easier it will be to identify the source of the blood," Blanchet explains.

Individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or another condition that affects their bowel movements may find their doctor recommends a low-fodmap diet. Certain foods cannot be easily digested by humans, and some individuals find they are more sensitive to these foods than others. Those in this situation learn they must avoid certain foods, such as those containing fructose, and products containing lactose, including dairy products.

"Simple changes to the diet may help with diarrhea, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, along with numerous other conditions that have an effect on bowel movements. With the help of a medical professional, individuals can develop a treatment plan that works for them. Contact a doctor today to discuss bowel movements, as doing so could save a person from more severe medical issues in the future," Blanchet reports.

About All About Poo
All About Poo is an informative website that is designed to educate people about bowel movement health, yet it is not intended to replace conventional medical care. The information contained on the site comes from leading medical information, but should not replace a person's relationship with their health care provider. It functions to give individuals a starting point for discussing this problem and this is information that every individual needs to have to ensure they remain healthy and have a good quality of life. The founder of the site suffers from irritable bowel syndrome and has encountered blood in the stool, thus visitors know they have someone who understands what they are dealing with and will be of assistance to them in their journey to better bowel health.