What causes narrowing of the stool?

Narrowing of the stool may be due to a mass in the colon or rectum that limits the size of the stool that can pass through it. Conditions that cause diarrhea can also cause pencil thin stools. Persistent pencil thin stool, which may be solid or loose, is one of the symptoms of colorectal polyps or cancer.

Are Thin poops bad?

Having narrow or pencil-thin BMs on occasion isn’t something to worry about. If it looks that way all the time or it gets narrower over time, it could be a concern, so let your doctor know. If constipation is the cause of your narrow poop, you might also have these symptoms: Belly cramps or pain.

What does pencil thin poop look like?

Stringy poop may also be referred to as stools that are pencil-thin, ribbon-like, thin, or narrow. Normal stool is about one to two inches in diameter. Stringy poop is narrow and, in some cases, almost flat, giving it a stringy appearance.

Can hemorrhoids cause pencil-thin stools?

Protruding masses from the rectum or anus are most commonly due to hemorrhoids, a type of dilated blood vessels.

Can IBS Cause pencil thin stools?

However in some cases, narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is another condition that may cause changes in the size of your stools, so that they’re smaller, larger or narrower than usual.

What does it mean when you have narrow stools?

However in some cases, narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign of narrowing or obstruction of the colon due to colon cancer.

Why do I have a pencil thin stool?

Here are some of the causes: Our aim is not to scare you! However, you must know that thin stool could be caused due to colon cancer. Majority of the people fear that they have this disease. Pencil thin stool is not healthy, and you could get other symptoms such as sudden loss of appetite and weight, anal bleeding and pain.

What causes thin stool at the end of the colon?

This can lead to thin stool when it occurs near the end of the colon. The growth causes a physical obstruction and thin stool is more likely to occur when the mass is larger. Colon polyps may be non-cancerous (benign) or pre-cancerous meaning that it has the potential to become a cancer.

How big should your stool be if you have thin stool?

Colon Health May 8, 2018. For the majority of people, normal stool is one or two inches in diameter, so suddenly producing a thin or narrow stool can be startling.

What is considered a thin stool?

Very thin stools may sometimes be described as pencil thin stools or worm-like stools. However, each person’s perspective differs and it should be compared to prior ‘normal size’ stools before determining whether it is thin or not.

What causes thin bowel stools?

Irritable bowel syndrome may cause changes in bowel habits leading to thin stools. It may also cause mucous in your stools, which can gives stool a stringy appearance. Some intestinal infections such as salmonella , gastroenteritis , and shigella may cause loose stools or diarrhea.

What causes thin and pencil like stools?

Narrowing of the stool may be due to a mass in the colon or rectum that limits the size of the stool that can pass through it. Conditions that cause diarrhea can also cause pencil thin stools. Persistent pencil thin stool, which may be solid or loose, is one of the symptoms of colorectal polyps or cancer .

What does it mean when your bowel movement is thin?

Any narrowing or obstruction of the bowel can lead to thin bowel movements. This may arise with a mass or constriction of the bowel. Even abnormal distension of the bowel or damage to the nerves that control bowel motility may contribute to obstructions within the bowel. Any cause of diarrhea may also result in pencil thin stools.