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For The Last Ten Weeks I%E2%80%99ve Been Having Intermittent Narrow
Question: For the last ten weeks I%E2%80%99ve been having intermittent narrow stools; 2/3 of the time it%E2%80%99s a pile (about 4-5 pieces with each piece being about the size of my finger), the other 1/3 of the time it%E2%80%99s completely normal snake like log. I have not seen any blood and I don%E2%80%99t really have any other symptoms. Nothing is different about the color or frequency. I%E2%80%99ve had a few bouts, maybe 1-2 episodes of nausea in the last three months and maybe one or two minor pains in my upper left side under my rib. - nothing that would even bother or concern me if I wasn%E2%80%99t worried about my skinner poops. For years I%E2%80%99ve had to wipe 100x to get clean, but didn%E2%80%99t think much of it. I%E2%80%99m obviously worried about cancer. Is it cancer, is there anything else that could cause this sudden narrower poops? I%E2%80%99m a 41 year old female, normal weight, no medications, no medical conditions.
Brief Answer:
Follow few suggestions for a week.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details and i appreciate your concerns.
Firstly I would like to make it clear that change in consistency of stool could be a sign of cancer however it is often accompanied by severe abdominal pain bleeding and many other symptoms.
Now as per as my diagnosis is concerned I would like to know the amount of fiber you are taking in your diet(Your diet pattern).
A normal person should take minimum of 30 -40 grams of fibers in diet.
Insoluble fiber is a bulk forming agent and help in adding up bulk to stools....responsible for consistency and shape of stools.
Ideally a colonoscopy should be done but before that I would like you add Isabghul husk/Fybrogel 10 gram three times a day to your diet. This would help bulk up your stools.
Along with it take a probiotic like. Econorm two times a day for 5 days.
As color of stools are same there is no problem with motility of intestine.
Eat a large bowl of fruits containing apple oranges and pear in morning empty stomach and vegetable salad in evening for few days.
If possible eat vegetarian food for few days(Home cooked).
Revert back after 5 days.
Hope this answers your query,
Follow ups are welcome,
Thank you.
Follow few suggestions for a week.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details and i appreciate your concerns.
Firstly I would like to make it clear that change in consistency of stool could be a sign of cancer however it is often accompanied by severe abdominal pain bleeding and many other symptoms.
Now as per as my diagnosis is concerned I would like to know the amount of fiber you are taking in your diet(Your diet pattern).
A normal person should take minimum of 30 -40 grams of fibers in diet.
Insoluble fiber is a bulk forming agent and help in adding up bulk to stools....responsible for consistency and shape of stools.
Ideally a colonoscopy should be done but before that I would like you add Isabghul husk/Fybrogel 10 gram three times a day to your diet. This would help bulk up your stools.
Along with it take a probiotic like. Econorm two times a day for 5 days.
As color of stools are same there is no problem with motility of intestine.
Eat a large bowl of fruits containing apple oranges and pear in morning empty stomach and vegetable salad in evening for few days.
If possible eat vegetarian food for few days(Home cooked).
Revert back after 5 days.
Hope this answers your query,
Follow ups are welcome,
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
If I take fiber and my stools return to normal does that mean I dont have cancer?
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Insoluble fibers are responsible for forming bulky stool.
So answer is definitely yes.
Cancer is never going to respond to diet/probiotics/fibers etc.
Hope I was helpful,
Follow ups are welcome.
Do rate the query.
Follow up after a week.
Do take probiotic along with fibers.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Insoluble fibers are responsible for forming bulky stool.
So answer is definitely yes.
Cancer is never going to respond to diet/probiotics/fibers etc.
Hope I was helpful,
Follow ups are welcome.
Do rate the query.
Follow up after a week.
Do take probiotic along with fibers.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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