What does it mean when your stools are long and thin?
Narrowing of the stool may be due to a mass in the colon or rectum that limits the size of the stool that can pass through it. Conditions that cause diarrhea can also cause pencil thin stools. Persistent pencil thin stool, which may be solid or loose, is one of the symptoms of colorectal polyps or cancer.
Can dehydration cause narrow stools?
“Typically, moving around less, sitting for prolonged periods and being relatively dehydrated can slow the bowels down, and this can result in a change in shape.”
Is stringy poop bad?
Stringy stool is not usually a cause for concern and tends to resolve on its own. If it continues for longer than a week and is present alongside other symptoms, people should check with a doctor. Most cases of this type of stool have a good outlook, especially when diagnosed and treated early.
Can narrow stools be normal?
Answer From Michael F. Picco, M.D. Narrow stools that occur infrequently probably are harmless. However in some cases, narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer.
How narrow is too narrow for stool?
In some cases, the cause is more serious. Stringy poop may also be referred to as stools that are pencil-thin, ribbon-like, thin, or narrow. Normal stool is about one to two inches in diameter. Stringy poop is narrow and, in some cases, almost flat, giving it a stringy appearance.
What causes stringy mucus in stool?
Conditions that cause inflammation in the colon, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, may cause loose, thin stools and diarrhea. Irritable bowel syndrome may cause changes in bowel habits leading to thin stools. It may also cause mucous in your stools, which can gives stool a stringy appearance.
What is considered a thin stool?
Very thin stools may sometimes be described as pencil thin stools or worm-like stools. However, each person’s perspective differs and it should be compared to prior ‘normal size’ stools before determining whether it is thin or not.
What causes ribbon-like stool?
Change in stool shape: Thin or narrow stools, often described as ribbon- or pencil-like, may also be a sign of colon cancer . In an otherwise healthy person, thin stools may be caused by a narrowing of the colon, also called a partial blockage of the colon due to colon cancer.
What causes long stools?
Some of the more common causes of hard stool include: Constipation. Lack of adequate water intake. Lack of dietary fiber. Waiting too long to have a bowel movement. Health problems with constipation as a symptom. Medications with constipation as a side effect.
Why is my poop stringy and sticky?
Changes in your bowel habits can cause you to have stingy poop or narrow stool. In the majority of cases, stringy poop is due to infections or inflammation in your intestines.
