A useful definition of constipation is ‘the passage of hard stools less frequently than the patient's own normal pattern’ (BNF) The Bristol stool form scale is a means of assessing intestinal transit time.

• Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation: will be passed infrequently
• Types 3 and 4 indicate ‘normal’ ideal stools; should be passed once every 1-3 days, depending on individual normal bowel emptying patterns.
• Type 5 to 7 suggest diarrhoea or urgency; passed very frequently.

Bristol Stool Chart – download the Bladder and Bowel Foundation  https://www.bladderandbowel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/BBC002_Bristol-Stool-Chart-Jan-2016.pdf