Bristolskalan

The Bristol Scale, also known as the Bristol Stool Scale, is a medical aid designed to classify the form and color of human feces. Developed by researchers at the University of Bristol in England, it was first published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 1970. The scale categorizes stools into seven different types, ranging from very dry and hard to loose and liquid.

The seven types are: Type 1, Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass); Type 2, Sausage-shaped but lumpy; Type 3, Like a sausage but with cracks on its surface; Type 4, Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft; Type 5, Soft blobs with clear-cut edges (passed easily); Type 6, Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool; and Type 7, Black, tarry, very loose, almost entirely liquid.

The Bristol Scale is widely used by healthcare professionals to help patients describe their bowel movements, especially in cases of intestinal problems. It provides a standardized way to communicate information about stool consistency, which can be indicative of various gastrointestinal conditions, such as constipation, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome. Doctors may use the scale to monitor the effectiveness of treatments or to diagnose potential issues. The color of the stool can also provide diagnostic clues, although the Bristol Scale primarily focuses on form and consistency.