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For The Last Ten Weeks I’ve Been Having Intermittent Narrow
Question: For the last ten weeks I’ve been having intermittent narrow stools; 2/3 of the time it’s a pile (about 4-5 pieces with each piece being about the size of my finger), the other 1/3 of the time it’s a completely normal snake like log. I have not seen any blood and I don’t really have any other symptoms. Nothing is different about the color or frequency. I’ve had a few bouts, maybe 1-2 episodes, of unexplained 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’t worried about my skinner poops. For years I’ve had to wipe 100x to get clean, but didn’t think much of it. I’m obviously worried about cancer. Is it cancer, is there anything else that could cause this sudden narrower poops? I’m a 41 year old female, normal weight, no medications, no medical conditions.
Brief Answer:
Low fiber in diet would cause narrow poop as there would be no bulk.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor " service for your query,
Have seen your details and i appreciate your concerns,
As per standard text Narrow stools that occur infrequently probably are harmless however in some cases, narrow stools if pencil thin may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer/polyp
However this is just a sign of cancer and along with it there are a number of sign and symptoms which are associated with colon cancer
To name few of them are-
bleeding from the back passage or any sign of blood after a bowel motion
a change in usual bowel habit, such as straining (constipation) to go to the toilet or loose motions.
abdominal pain or bloating
weight loss for no obvious reason, or loss of appetite
symptoms of anemia - including unexplained tiredness, weakness or breathlessness.
And the symptoms keep on increasing in intensity and frequency with time.
However you don't have any of these symptoms(severe).
Suggestions-
Probiotic twice daily for a week.
Vegetarian home cooked food for a week.
Lots of grains like Wheat etc in your diet.
One bowl of fruits like apple,oranges,pears etc daily.
One bowl of green salad in evening.
Take isapghul husk 10 mg three times a day.
If symptom remains the same after a week then colonoscopy is recommended.
Hope i answered your query well,
Thank you
Low fiber in diet would cause narrow poop as there would be no bulk.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor " service for your query,
Have seen your details and i appreciate your concerns,
As per standard text Narrow stools that occur infrequently probably are harmless however in some cases, narrow stools if pencil thin may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer/polyp
However this is just a sign of cancer and along with it there are a number of sign and symptoms which are associated with colon cancer
To name few of them are-
bleeding from the back passage or any sign of blood after a bowel motion
a change in usual bowel habit, such as straining (constipation) to go to the toilet or loose motions.
abdominal pain or bloating
weight loss for no obvious reason, or loss of appetite
symptoms of anemia - including unexplained tiredness, weakness or breathlessness.
And the symptoms keep on increasing in intensity and frequency with time.
However you don't have any of these symptoms(severe).
Suggestions-
Probiotic twice daily for a week.
Vegetarian home cooked food for a week.
Lots of grains like Wheat etc in your diet.
One bowl of fruits like apple,oranges,pears etc daily.
One bowl of green salad in evening.
Take isapghul husk 10 mg three times a day.
If symptom remains the same after a week then colonoscopy is recommended.
Hope i answered your query well,
Thank you
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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