The colon, also known as the large intestine, plays an important role in our digestive system. It is responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from food waste before it is eliminated from the body as feces (poop). But how long can poop actually stay in your colon before it needs to come out?
What is the Colon?
The colon is the final 5-6 feet of your digestive tract. It is a muscular tube that connects the small intestine to the rectum. The main functions of the colon are:
- Absorbing water and nutrients from indigestible food matter
- Compacting and storing stool
- Eliminating stool from the body
As food passes through your digestive system, nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. The remaining indigestible food waste enters the colon, where your gut bacteria help break it down further. The colon absorbs valuable water, minerals and vitamins from this waste before compacting what remains into stool.
How Long Does It Take to Pass Through the Colon?
On average, it takes about 36 hours for food to pass through the entire colon. However, this can vary quite a bit from person to person. It depends on factors like:
- Your diet – Fiber-rich foods take longer to digest
- Physical activity level
- Stress levels
- Hydration status
- Age
- Gender
- Medical conditions
- Medications
Here is a quick overview of the colon’s different segments and average transit times:
| Colon segment | Transit time |
|---|---|
| Ascending colon | 5 hours |
| Transverse colon | 10 hours |
| Descending colon | 13 hours |
| Sigmoid colon | 8 hours |
Keep in mind that these are estimates. Stool can sometimes pass through the colon faster or slower, depending on the above factors.
Is it Normal for Stool to Stay in the Colon for Days?
It is generally normal for stool to sit in the colon for up to 3 days before being eliminated. This allows time for water and nutrients to be sufficiently absorbed. However, it is not ideal for stool to remain in the colon longer than this.
Stool that stays in the colon for 4 or more days is considered abnormally delayed transit. This is medically referred to as colonic delay or decreased motility. It results in constipation, which is defined as having less than 3 bowel movements per week.
Signs of Delayed Colon Transit
- Infrequent bowel movements
- Straining to pass stool
- Hard, dry, lumpy stool
- Feeling of incomplete evacuation
- Bloating and abdominal discomfort
Contributing Factors
Some things that can slow down your colonic transit and lead to constipation include:
- Low fiber diet
- Dehydration
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Travel or changes in routine
- Side effects of medication
- Diseases like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s
- Nerve damage in the colon
- Intestinal disorders like IBS
- Ignoring the urge to defecate
- Stress and anxiety
- Pregnancy
- Aging
How Long Before Delayed Transit Becomes an Emergency?
In most cases, it is not dangerous for stool to be delayed in the colon for a few days. But very prolonged retention of stool can lead to complications like:
- Fecal impaction – a large, hard mass of stool that cannot be passed
- Bowel obstruction – a dangerous blockage in the colon
- Enlarged colon – can reduce blood flow
- Stretching of the rectum
- Increased pressure in the abdomen
If stool has not passed for more than 3 days and you are experiencing intense symptoms of constipation, it is important to find relief as soon as possible. You may need a bowel stimulant, laxative, enema or manual disimpaction performed by a doctor.
Seek emergency medical care if you have:
- No bowel movement for 5 or more days
- Difficulty passing gas
- Severe abdominal pain and vomiting
- Swollen or distended abdomen
- Fever
- Blood in the stool
These red flag symptoms can indicate a dangerous bowel obstruction, perforation or other medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Ways to Keep Things Moving Along
To avoid problematic delays in colonic transit, it helps to:
- Eat a high fiber diet – aim for 25-35g per day
- Drink plenty of fluids – try for 8 cups per day
- Exercise daily
- Reduce stress
- Establish a regular bathroom routine
- Go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge
- Get checked for underlying conditions if chronic constipation persists
You can also take over-the-counter laxatives or stool softeners temporarily for relief, but don’t rely on them long-term without consulting your doctor.
When to See a Doctor
Consult your doctor if you experience:
- No bowel movements for more than 3 days
- Chronic constipation persisting longer than 2 weeks
- Blood in your stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constant abdominal pain or discomfort
A doctor can evaluate your symptoms, ask about your medical history, and order tests to determine if an underlying condition is causing your delayed colon transit. This may include blood tests, a stool sample analysis, an abdominal x-ray, a colonoscopy, or a sitz marker study to assess your colon function.
Treatment will depend on the cause. Your doctor may recommend dietary changes, exercise, supplements, prescription laxatives, medications to address underlying conditions, or even surgery in severe cases.
When is Surgery Necessary?
In rare instances, a person may need surgery if they have a severely enlarged colon or severe colonic inertia that is unresponsive to other treatments. Potential procedures include:
- Colectomy – Removal of part or all of the colon
- Colostomy – Creating an artificial opening from the colon to the surface of the abdomen for stool to exit into a pouch
- Ileostomy – Diverting stool directly from the small intestine to an abdominal opening
These surgeries are a last resort for chronic, debilitating constipation unresponsive to medication, diet, and lifestyle remedies. They carry significant risks of complications.
Conclusion
On average, stool passes through the colon in about 36 hours. It is generally normal for stool to remain in the colon up to 3 days before being eliminated. But prolonged retention of stool beyond this timeframe can cause problems like constipation, impaction, bowel obstructions, and more.
See your doctor promptly if you go more than 3 days without a bowel movement or experience severe abdominal symptoms. To help keep your colon functioning properly, eat fiber, stay hydrated, exercise, reduce stress, and don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.
With the right lifestyle habits and care when needed, stool should keep moving along through your colon at a healthy pace to prevent unwanted backups.