What Causes Irregular Bowel Movement And Constipation?

Posted on Wed, 17 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 Answered on

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : For almost two years I have had irregular bowel movements. Sometimes the stool is very short pointed stools, then other times constipated, then sometimes very large and normal looking. I have tried to tie it to the multaq I take for my heart, and the Viagra I sometimes take but it has never stayed normal for longer than a couple weeks. I am 57 and have never had a colonoscopy and am petrified I have colon cancer. What do you think ?

Answered by Dr. Monish De (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Colonoscopy and CT scan of whole abdomen

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Since you are having irregular bowel habits for 2 years and you are 57 years in age i would advise you to do a colonoscopy test.

If any lesion is found then biopsy has to be done to rule out colon cancer.

I will also advise you to do a CT scan of whole abdomen.

Regards

DR DE

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (16 minutes later)

Because I sometimes do have normal size bowel movements does that lesson the chance of this being cancer at all ?? My stools are different quite frequently.

Could colon cancer act like this without having more severe symptoms for two years ??

Answered by Dr. Monish De (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
have chance of colon cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hi

As your stools are different quite frequently you have got a risk of colon cancer and that is why you must go to the ER and do a colonoscopy test to rule it out.

Regards

DR DE

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (39 minutes later)

What I am asking is that it would seem that once the stool would change that over a two year period it would not be normal sometimes and then different other times. I thought it would always be thin if I had colon cancer. So I was hoping that in two years I would have definitely seen other symptoms if colon cancer.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Colon cancer unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Though you are not having consistent stool as you are not having bleeding per rectum and pain abdomen your chances of having colon cancer is very less.

But i would still advise you to have a colonoscopy test to see the condition of your colon.

Regards

DR DE

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj