Brief Answer: Colonoscopy. Occult blood in stool Detailed Answer: Hi and thanks for the query, I am happy with your active lifestyle and you should continue as such. Bowel disorders in a male after 50 years compels a formal exclusion of bowel tumors, especially colon cancer. It might be important to know if you have had any family history of cancer or not. I would strongly suggest you get a stool hemocult done (test to check blood in stool ) and a colonoscopy. This is compelling since the symptoms you describe are of recent onset. Special considerations on a change on diet, in environment and regular daily activity could as well explain the change. It is very possible that this could some rare form of IBS ( Irritable Bowel Syndrome), which can be managed through appropriate diet practices (fruits, fibres, vegetables, much water, regular meals, avoiding late meals and exercise) and drugs ( that modify bowel movements). However, any potential cause of these symptoms should only be thought of after a colonoscopy and test for occult blood have been done. Depending on the clinical evaluation results, an abdominal ultrasound and stool examination and culture could asked. I suggest you book an appointment with a gastroenterologist. while waiting, it could be of interest to try out the life style measures I suggested above ((fruits, fibres, vegetables, much water, regular meals, avoiding late meals and exercise) and drugs ( that modify bowel movements). Thanks and hope this helps as I wish you the best of health. Please, do feel very free asking follow up questions. I will be humbled making my contributions. Dr Bain

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