How to use the bowel diary chart
Print the Bowel Diary Chart and keep it nearby throughout the day. Write your name, room number, and the current month at the top of the page. Each row represents one day, and each column is a time slot for recording a movement.
What should you record each day?
For every bowel movement, note the time it occurred. Use the Bristol stool scale diagram printed on the chart to identify the stool type, from 1 through 7. Record any medication taken that day and add remarks about diet or changes you noticed. Tracking this content consistently gives your doctor a clear picture of your bowel habits over time.
What do the Bristol stool scale types mean?
The Bristol stool scale classifies stool into seven types based on shape and consistency. Types 1 and 2 are hard, lumpy, or sausage-like stool that suggest constipation. Types 3 and 4 are smooth and well-formed, representing healthy output. Type 5 is soft with clear edges. Types 6 and 7 are loose or entirely liquid, which may indicate diarrhea or another condition worth discussing with your doctor.
When should you contact your doctor?
Reach out to your doctor if the diary shows Type 1 or Type 2 stool for more than three consecutive days, or Type 6 and Type 7 for more than two days. Also seek medical review for sudden changes in bowel patterns, blood in the stool, or persistent pain. This record gives your doctor a reliable starting point for understanding what has been happening.
For related tracking tools, explore the Initial Pain Assessment Tool and the Medication Form on FormsPal.
