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What Could Explain The Narrow Stools?
Question: hi. for at least 9 months now I have been experiencing narrow stools. I used have 2 or 3 bowel movements in the every morning....the first one is normal(3/4 on the Bristol stool chart) but the second and 3rd are usually pencil thin or thin plops. for the last few weeks it has changed to 1 narrow stool, not pencil thin but quite narrow.i got colonoscopy and its normal but I am worried now about small intestine cancer, no abdominal pain or bloating. blood test is normal. what could explain the narrow stools?
Brief Answer:
Want few more details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
As colonoscopy is clear so most common and problematic cause of narrow stools have been ruled out that is colorectal cancer + any other pathology from colon to anus.
Secondly shape of the stools is determined by large intestine and not small intestine,So small intestine has nothing to do in this case.
Now the most common diagnosis we are left with is Irritable bowel syndrome.
Now problem is that IBS is not a disease rather a collection of symptoms which can't be explained by any tests.
In short if all tests like colonoscopy,Blood tests,Stool tests turns out to be normal but patient has symptoms medical science labels the patients as having IBS.
But before labelling this diagnosis on you I would like to know your food pattern, How much carbohydrates do you take,what do you take ,How much fibers are there in your diet ,source of that.
So please send to me a broad diet of yours on a normal day.
If you can remember that you have changed your diet pattern in last one year.
Regards.
Want few more details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
As colonoscopy is clear so most common and problematic cause of narrow stools have been ruled out that is colorectal cancer + any other pathology from colon to anus.
Secondly shape of the stools is determined by large intestine and not small intestine,So small intestine has nothing to do in this case.
Now the most common diagnosis we are left with is Irritable bowel syndrome.
Now problem is that IBS is not a disease rather a collection of symptoms which can't be explained by any tests.
In short if all tests like colonoscopy,Blood tests,Stool tests turns out to be normal but patient has symptoms medical science labels the patients as having IBS.
But before labelling this diagnosis on you I would like to know your food pattern, How much carbohydrates do you take,what do you take ,How much fibers are there in your diet ,source of that.
So please send to me a broad diet of yours on a normal day.
If you can remember that you have changed your diet pattern in last one year.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Saisudha Kotla
Once I can stop worrying about small intestine cancer I don't really care?, I don't eat a lot of fibre so will try and change this. I eat mainly bread protein meat dairy. Only fibre from oats. I suffer badly with stress and anxiety. I take medication SNRI venlaflaxine, anti psychotic olanzapine, tetracyclic antidepressant mirtazapine and melatonin.
Also take finasteride for male pattern baldness
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Rest assured stool shape has nothing to do with small intestine.
In small intestine it's all liquid.
You are on a lots of medication,Most of them cause constipation.
Increase fibers in your diet take Fybogel 2 tsf two times a day and tell me if stool shape changes after 1 week.
It's not small intestine cancer.
Regards.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Rest assured stool shape has nothing to do with small intestine.
In small intestine it's all liquid.
You are on a lots of medication,Most of them cause constipation.
Increase fibers in your diet take Fybogel 2 tsf two times a day and tell me if stool shape changes after 1 week.
It's not small intestine cancer.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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