Narrow stools that occur infrequently probably are harmless. In some cases, however , narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer.
Narrow stools can be caused by constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and the use of certain medications. Less commonly, thin poop can point to something serious such as colorectal cancer.
Poop shape
The healthiest shape for poop is a long cylinder. When poop takes on other shapes, it may indicate something could be going on with your digestive system.
Hemorrhoids can cause pencil-thin stools. While this is a common diagnosis, you should see your doctor if the problem persists and is accompanied by symptoms such as rectal bleeding, pain, and discomfort.
If you have IBS with diarrhea, you will have frequent, loose, watery stools. You may have an urgent need to have a bowel movement, which may be hard to control. If you have IBS with constipation, you will have a hard time passing stool, as well as fewer bowel movements.
Many people report experiencing more yellow stools as a symptom of anxiety. Anxiety does not specifically affect the color of stool, but it can affect how food moves through the digestive tract. There are several ways that anxiety affects digestion, increasing the risk of yellow feces.
Chronic constipation often leads to blockages that develop in the colon, leading to the passage of thin, stringy stools. A simple way to counter constipation is to increase intake of fruits and vegetables, wholegrain bread and cereal, beans, and lentils.
Changed Digestion - Anxiety releases adrenaline, and adrenaline may slow down the speed of your digestion. Any time your digestion speed changes, it may cause either diarrhea or constipation.
Most professionals recommend spending no more time on the toilet than it takes to pass a stool. Studies have shown that the average bowel movement takes 12 seconds. Sometimes it does take longer, however, so at maximum, you should not spend more than 10 minutes on the toilet.
A redundant colon is an abnormally long colon that cannot fit inside the body without looping or twisting. There is no obvious cause, but it can lead to complications and gastrointestinal problems, including constipation.
Narrow or pellet-like stools: if you have advanced or severe diverticulitis, your large intestine may narrow, causing stool to become thin, narrow, or pellet-shaped.
Firm poop that's connected and lumpy is another sign of constipation. This type of stool spent too much time drying in the intestines but didn't dry enough to break into small pieces. Type two poop often hurts the most when passed since it's usually large and firm.
Healthy faecal matter has a solid, smooth shape and has a somewhat soft (but not mushy) appearance. Ideally it should be between 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 ins.) wide and have a long, tubular shape. This indicates that you are getting enough fibre and drinking enough water.
They may be hard and small, pencil-thin, or loose and watery. The way stools pass changes. You may strain, feel an urgent need to have a bowel movement, or feel that you haven't completely passed a stool. You may have bloating or a feeling of gas in the intestines.
When diverticulosis is far advanced, the lower colon may become very fixed, distorted, and even narrowed. When this occurs, there may be thin or pellet-shaped stools, constipation, and an occasional rush of diarrhea.
The symptoms of IBS include:
Diarrhea or frequent loose stools. Gas & bloating. Mucus in stool. Pellet-shaped or ribbon-shaped stool.
A person with Crohn's disease may notice a yellow coating on their stools. This coating is mucus, which helps the stools pass through the intestines, and it is no cause for concern if there are no other new symptoms.
It affects the deeper layers of the digestive lining and can show up as "skip lesions" between healthy areas. Crohn's often involves the small intestine, the colon, or both. Internal tissues may develop shallow, crater-like areas or deeper sores and a cobblestone pattern, as seen here.
Take a look at the types below and the difference in each IBS stool colour: IBS-C (IBS with constipation) – likely to have a darker brown stool colour. IBS-D (IBS with diarrhoea) – likely to have a yellow stool colour. IBS-M (mixed – alternates between constipation and diarrhoea)
Tenesmus is a frequent urge to go to the bathroom without being able to go. It usually affects your bowels, but sometimes your bladder. Severe inflammation that irritates the nerves involved in pooping or peeing is often the cause. Your nerves overreact, telling your muscles that you constantly have to go.
Yellow stool may indicate a malabsorption disorder caused by a parasite, illness, or disease. Malabsorption of fat can lead to an increased fat content in stools, which can be pale, large, foul-smelling, and loose. This is known as steatorrhea, and complications may include: malnutrition.